AeCSA Awards Dinner 02 November 2013

[Bundy]

Congratulations to Alan Mackenzie for being awarded AeroclubSA Gold Wings.

AM.jpg (25.04 KiB) Viewed 1752 times

Louis Cole & Paul van Schalkwyk received the Silver Wings Award for their unselfish adventure to raise funds for Reach for a Dream!

Louis.jpg (19.82 KiB) Viewed 1752 times

Oom Paul.jpg (19.29 KiB) Viewed 1752 times

MISASA is proud of you!!!!

[John Boucher]

Proud moment for MISASA

[nicow]

Proud moment for MISASA

[Nkwazi]

Well done gentlemen. Thoroughly deserved.

[ZULU1]

Well done to all, and Alan being the Thugs ring leader is wonderful.

Congrats Paul

[John Boucher]

Called up to the stage by the person who branded us as "THUGS" and what's more, he had to read the citations one by one.... Then they were photographed by the "ACCOMPLICE" and person who branded us as the "DISRUPTIVE ELEMENT FROM MISASA"

Now that is what I call a bucket of cold cold ice water in the face....

[Bundy]

Thought I'd share the original Award Citation that was compiled for Louis and Paul. I think it was edited for time on the evening...again...well deserved gents! A nice "Momento" for the bars at both Jakkalsdans and Elands Camp!

Citation for the AeCSA “Silver Wings” awarded to:

Louis Cole and Paul Van Schalkwyk:

It started out as a dream five years ago for long time microlight pilot Louis Cole. A month long journey across Southern Africa and to explore the boundless beauty of Namibia by air in his microlight. In the early part of 2013 Louis teamed up with businessman and fellow trike pilot Paul van Schalkwyk and together they started to plan what was to become their “Bucket List” trip to fulfill their aviation dreams. They named it...”Open Cockpit Over Africa”.

With both men having clocked over 60 years in “life experience”... it didnt take long for them to name themselves the “geriatric gaggle”.
The interest in their trip grew, and with both men wanting to give back to society, they decided to use their expedition to raise money for the Reach for a Dream Foundation.
As with any long trip, there were seemingly endless preperations and contingencies to be planned but none of these challenges stood up to the drive of the two intrepid flyers and their goal which was 2700 miles and to raise enough money in donations to realise the dreams of 25 children.

Their departure was covered by E news on the 10th of May and ZU CEX and ZU CHG rolled down the runway and routed west. Travelling with a dedicated ground crew, their journey took them from Eagles Creek in Centurion via Upington and the Kalahari into Namibia and back again over 49 days. They flew along the Orange, flew over the Fish River Canyon and explored the Namibian coastline. Inland saw them cross vast mountain ranges and seemingly endless desert beauty. They battled strong winds and unforgiving terrain at times but both men made the long journey safely and without incident and shared their experiences daily via their blogs and postings. An incredible amount of effort was made at each and every stop to raise awareness and funding for “Reach for a Dream”.

After the trip was done... they had covered 2807 NM in 74 hours of flying, burnt 900 L of fuel each and raised R 215 000 for Reach for a Dream! Their goal had been to raise enough money to realise 25 dreams....in the end they had raised enough to make 43 dreams come true, far exceeding their goal.
For their outstanding achievement and the contribution they have made to both their fellow aviators and for the Reach for a Dream Foundation, we award the AeCSA Silver Wings to Mr Louis Cole and Mr Paul van Schalkwyk.

Apologies Nemo, I do not have yours, perhaps JB can post it for us too.

[John Boucher]

Alan Mackenzie....

To speak of Alan will require more than just 300 words. To know Alan is to know that the man is larger than life and, when impassioned, throws his entire self, family included, into a project.

Such has been Alan’s involvement in aviation.

I have known Alan for over 25 years and have had the privilege to experience his continued passion for aviation. From the moment we confirmed that Microlights could take our ‘bulk’ to the air, (some 13 years ago), Alan started on his quest to become a pilot. As is his character, it was not long that he moved from being just a pilot to that of a MISASA Committee and AeroClub Board member. Alan is currently, the EDITOR IN CHIEF of our most successful circular, the Microflight Africa magazine.

To touch on his energy and to quote RAASA’s General Manager - Neil de Lange:

“The discussion at the time was the advent of the Protected Areas Act and the National Environment Management Act. These were most contentious issues and in need of support. When Alan learned of this, he immediately stepped out of the Board meeting and phoned the head of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee dealing with this to escalate the item within government”.

Further to his energy; upon a request from a section to assist the Joint NTCA Work Group to develop legislation catering for microlighting activities; Alan’s hand immediately went up with him actively participating in the work group.

Further to the above and to mention but three of Alan’s most noteworthy activities that have directly effected all aviators under AeroClub:

• Alan took over as editor of the then “stalled” MISASA magazine and turned it around, using his own private resources to create the most sought after microlight and light sport aircraft magazine in the country. Further;

• that of starting and holding the Wildcoast Gaggle, a fly-in event that invites all sections under the AeroClub to a week of coastal flying, using his cottage as base. It started in 2005 with just 1 person attending and has grown to, at last count, 28 aircraft attending...Further,

• Alan’s crowning glory will however always be his initiating of what has become the now main MISASA sponsored and organized, AeroClub event held annually at Tedderfield…That of “The Tedderfield Shoot-out”. This invites and is attended by all sections under the AeroClub banner to a day to enjoy who and what we are.

Alan’s contribution to the aviation community over the past 13 years have never had any boundaries and stand testament to his belief that; that that he does, he does for the love of flying.

I and MISASA salute Alan for his unwavering contribution to aviation in general and particularly, all sections under the AeroClub.

Alan, we thank you.

Donald Hicks

[mulderpm]

Well done Alan Mackenzie, and of course to our intrepid travellers, Louis Cole and, mal haas, Oom Paul V Schalkwyk. Whom I have had the pleasure and privilege of flying with as wing men on many occasions.

[Blue Max]

Bundy, thanks for letting us have the citation, cause when one walk to the stage you don't see the citation and as they did not read it out loud I was unaware as to what the content was.
We are proud receivers of the honour shown to us.
I myself feel that my part was very minute as my only contribution was my age.!!
Louis and Fransa ( his wife) should get all the honour because they did an outstanding job to get all the right persons together. They organized in advance at their own expence and risk, they gathered a group of co workers who each contributed to the sucsessfull outcome of this adventure.
I was just an old bugger flying along and enjoying myself.

[John Boucher]

Paul, was good to meet you

The complete citation was on the big screen. Only an abbreviated piece was read out as you walked to the stage to receive but surely all you heard was the 2 MISASA tables voicing their approval and appreciation with applause (louder than everyone else!)

[leprechaun]

WELL DONE TO ALL THE OLD BUGGERS WHO ARE JUST ENJOYING THEIR FLYING , Alex

[Louis Cole]

What an unexpected honour. I was really proud to represent MISASA whose presence was quite noticeable amongst all the other sections. Congrats to Big Mac for his Golden Wings Award. Paul thoroughly earned his wings and my respect on the trip through his sheer grit and tenacity. Thanks to MISASA for nominating us and for their vocal support on the evening.

[John Boucher]

Thanks to MISASA for nominating us and for their vocal support on the evening.

GEES

..... you guys deserved it!!!

..... and to piss the Master of Ceremonies off

[Bundy]

Oom Paul....jy lyk baie smart in daai das! Ek het jou amper nie herken nie....