Hi Guys,
That time of the year again. Young Falcons Wings Parade on Air Force Base Ysterplaat - Saturday 17th November.
Please PM me your e-mail address or send it to bob AT corbett dot coza so that I can send you the latest version of the SAAF documentation we need completed to pull this off.
If you need further info please do not hesitate to call me on zero 8 two 5 six triple 9 seven zero
As we get close to the date, I will advise safety briefing date and time etc etc
Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob
Re: Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
Wow you guys are on the ball - couple of nice responses today already.
Many thanks
Many thanks
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob
Re: Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
Thanks to the guys who have already entered.
I've had a couple of enquiries asking what this is all about.
What follows is a report I wrote in 2006 for the Aero Club which explains most every thing except the Wings Parade because we did not do that at that time.
I will explain that a bit later.
Cut and pasted - no photos unfortunately
AVIATION YOUTH DEVELOPMENT : 2006
As a follow up on Harry Mole’s article in 2005, here is a glimpse of youth development in action in the Cape.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has a large and all encompassing aviation awareness programme for the youth called Siyandisa. A component of this programme is the Young Falcons and is in essence the thorough training of a very select group of youngsters presently in Grades 10 to 12. A very important component of the Young Falcons program is virtual aviation and this is where the Association of Virtual Aviation in South Africa (AVA) comes in. In an ideal world we would be training these youngsters on real aircraft. With the virtual (pun intended) total lack of funding for this program, teaching the youngsters the finer arts of aviation is only possible using computers to imitate reality.
In Cape Town there is a small band of aviation enthusiasts, many of them current and past PPL holders, who enjoy the passing on of their experience to virtual aviation pilots and as a side-line of this activity, they have adopted the local Young Falcons program of Air Force Base Ysterplaat. The Cape Virtual club supplies the virtual aviation component and also assists the base’s instructors with the vast curriculum that the youngsters follow for the two years they are in Grades 10 and 11.
The course, in part, closely follows that of the PPL. It is however even wider in that many other skills are also taught. In particular there are some formative training modules such as drill, physical training, conflict management and etiquette. Having children of this age myself, I did not expect the discipline side of it to be popular at all. However, Ysterplaat’s Regimental Sergeant Major handles these aspects personally and the transformation in behaviour has been phenomenal. We dress them in old maritime (orange) flying overalls, add the Young Falcons badge and their name to make it look like the real thing. What a spectacular sight they made when we marched them into AAD earlier this year.
The youngsters are selected half male and half female and then according to the demographics of the Cape but with the qualifier that they are doing reasonably well in at least maths at school. The result is an intelligent bunch of enthusiastic kids that just soak in all the information supplied. The ground subjects they are taught span from instruments, meteorology, navigation and radio to aircraft recognition and first-aid. Many of these subjects are tested and the course motto is “You cannot fail anything on this course. We will keep on doing it until you pass”. The youngsters enjoy this approach and often help and cheer on their fellow Young Falcons when tested for proficiency along the way.
The recent “Solo” virtual flying test for the Grade 11’s is a case in point. They have to complete an unaided set circuit from take off to landing similar to the real solo flight. Only in virtual aviation it is more difficult as the instructor peers over their shoulder the whole time and marks the circuit on the same parameters as the Virtual Private Pilots Licence. Many kids failed this at first, but they just kept coming back until they all passed.
In between the hard work every second Saturday during the school terms, there are some fun highlights as well. On Youth Day this year and last year, the SAAF flew the Young Falcons to a local youth celebration in an Oryx. This is always a big hit with the Young Falcons as it is the closest they get to real flying during the whole course. We intend to lift the bar a bit next year and get them flying a few more times during the course with the help of the local flying and gliding clubs.
The success of the program is of course only realised some 2 years after it ends when the Young Falcons matriculate and attempt to get into aviation as a career. It is thus early days to measure the success of the programme, but indications are good in that we presently have one Young Falcon on pilots course at Langebaanweg, one in formative training in Pretoria, one more is in training with SAA and rumour has it that we have another lass on her way to Pretoria as this report goes to press. Time will tell.
None of the above would have been possible without the support of the Officer Commanding of Air Force Base Ysterplaat, Col Kobus Butler, his RSM Rodney January, the Cape chapter of AVA, Cape Virtual and the support of AVA and in turn the Aero Club. To all these, we salute your dedication.
I've had a couple of enquiries asking what this is all about.
What follows is a report I wrote in 2006 for the Aero Club which explains most every thing except the Wings Parade because we did not do that at that time.
I will explain that a bit later.
Cut and pasted - no photos unfortunately
AVIATION YOUTH DEVELOPMENT : 2006
As a follow up on Harry Mole’s article in 2005, here is a glimpse of youth development in action in the Cape.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has a large and all encompassing aviation awareness programme for the youth called Siyandisa. A component of this programme is the Young Falcons and is in essence the thorough training of a very select group of youngsters presently in Grades 10 to 12. A very important component of the Young Falcons program is virtual aviation and this is where the Association of Virtual Aviation in South Africa (AVA) comes in. In an ideal world we would be training these youngsters on real aircraft. With the virtual (pun intended) total lack of funding for this program, teaching the youngsters the finer arts of aviation is only possible using computers to imitate reality.
In Cape Town there is a small band of aviation enthusiasts, many of them current and past PPL holders, who enjoy the passing on of their experience to virtual aviation pilots and as a side-line of this activity, they have adopted the local Young Falcons program of Air Force Base Ysterplaat. The Cape Virtual club supplies the virtual aviation component and also assists the base’s instructors with the vast curriculum that the youngsters follow for the two years they are in Grades 10 and 11.
The course, in part, closely follows that of the PPL. It is however even wider in that many other skills are also taught. In particular there are some formative training modules such as drill, physical training, conflict management and etiquette. Having children of this age myself, I did not expect the discipline side of it to be popular at all. However, Ysterplaat’s Regimental Sergeant Major handles these aspects personally and the transformation in behaviour has been phenomenal. We dress them in old maritime (orange) flying overalls, add the Young Falcons badge and their name to make it look like the real thing. What a spectacular sight they made when we marched them into AAD earlier this year.
The youngsters are selected half male and half female and then according to the demographics of the Cape but with the qualifier that they are doing reasonably well in at least maths at school. The result is an intelligent bunch of enthusiastic kids that just soak in all the information supplied. The ground subjects they are taught span from instruments, meteorology, navigation and radio to aircraft recognition and first-aid. Many of these subjects are tested and the course motto is “You cannot fail anything on this course. We will keep on doing it until you pass”. The youngsters enjoy this approach and often help and cheer on their fellow Young Falcons when tested for proficiency along the way.
The recent “Solo” virtual flying test for the Grade 11’s is a case in point. They have to complete an unaided set circuit from take off to landing similar to the real solo flight. Only in virtual aviation it is more difficult as the instructor peers over their shoulder the whole time and marks the circuit on the same parameters as the Virtual Private Pilots Licence. Many kids failed this at first, but they just kept coming back until they all passed.
In between the hard work every second Saturday during the school terms, there are some fun highlights as well. On Youth Day this year and last year, the SAAF flew the Young Falcons to a local youth celebration in an Oryx. This is always a big hit with the Young Falcons as it is the closest they get to real flying during the whole course. We intend to lift the bar a bit next year and get them flying a few more times during the course with the help of the local flying and gliding clubs.
The success of the program is of course only realised some 2 years after it ends when the Young Falcons matriculate and attempt to get into aviation as a career. It is thus early days to measure the success of the programme, but indications are good in that we presently have one Young Falcon on pilots course at Langebaanweg, one in formative training in Pretoria, one more is in training with SAA and rumour has it that we have another lass on her way to Pretoria as this report goes to press. Time will tell.
None of the above would have been possible without the support of the Officer Commanding of Air Force Base Ysterplaat, Col Kobus Butler, his RSM Rodney January, the Cape chapter of AVA, Cape Virtual and the support of AVA and in turn the Aero Club. To all these, we salute your dedication.
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob
Re: Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
The Young Falcons Wings Parade is how we reward the kids for all their hard work during the year by inviting you, our friends in aviation, to fly into FAYP and flip the kids.
Provisional program is
07:00 - 8:30 Fly in to FAPT, land, park & coffee
08:30 Start flying the kids - give them a short chance to pole a bit, you will be astounded how good they are.
10:30 Tea, coffee, juice and a sarmie
11:00 Refueling starts (if BP agrees to supplying same - not confirmed yet)
11:45 Bus leaves for Young Falcons Aviation Academy
12:00 Presentation of certificates and wings
12:30 Lunch
Depart when you are ready
Provisional program is
07:00 - 8:30 Fly in to FAPT, land, park & coffee
08:30 Start flying the kids - give them a short chance to pole a bit, you will be astounded how good they are.
10:30 Tea, coffee, juice and a sarmie
11:00 Refueling starts (if BP agrees to supplying same - not confirmed yet)
11:45 Bus leaves for Young Falcons Aviation Academy
12:00 Presentation of certificates and wings
12:30 Lunch
Depart when you are ready
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob
Re: Young Falcons Wings Parade 17/11/2012
Hi guys
Only 8 positions left and then I have to close bookings - either which way, all paperwork must be in by Wednesday.
Many thanks for your support.
Only 8 positions left and then I have to close bookings - either which way, all paperwork must be in by Wednesday.
Many thanks for your support.
Best wishes,
Bob
Bob
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