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Chris Burger is the Chief Flight Instructor, which means that he does all the paperwork. He is a Senior Researcher with the CSIR, with an MEng degree. He specialises in artificial intelligence applications and is pursuing a PhD in the field of unmanned aircraft.

In his spare time, he instructs on little aeroplanes and flies bigger ones for the Air Force's 111 Squadron. He is also the training officer for a charter company operating Hawker HS125 and Gulfstream II and III aircraft. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with Grade I Instructor and Class 2 Test Pilot ratings. He is a Designated Flight Examiner, Class I, and an FAA-approved flight instructor (Airplane Single Engine and Airplane Multi-Engine, as well as Airplane Instrument). He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with a Gulfstream II/III type rating. Chris has instructed on 100 aircraft models, including large jets and helicopters. He also holds a BCom degree in Aviation Management and has over 4300 hours of flight time, including more than 3000 hours as instructor. He was a licenced Air Traffic Controller for almost a decade.

During 2006, Chris published a book on aeroplane and helicopter procedures, based on experience gained in his 20 years of instruction. The book is now in use with several flying schools and has been published internationally by ASA. Chris remains active with instruction at SFT, primarily for quality assurance purposes and for advanced instruction. His main focus is on the development of new instructors.

Chris is also a professionally accredited linguist. Along with another linguist, he is involved in Language Proficiency Rating testing at SFT.

Peter Clark (Safety Officer)

Peter Clark is the Safety Officer. He looks over Chris's shoulder to ensure that the highest possible training standard is maintained. Peter is a Boeing 737 instructor pilot with South African Airways and a Designated Flight Examiner, Class I. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence with Grade I Instructor and Class 2 Test Pilot ratings and a BSc Eng degree in aeronautical engineering. He runs his own company, Challenge Air, through which he handles prototyping projects and supervises aircraft maintenance. Peter has over 7000 hours of flying experience, including more than 2000 instruction hours.

Pieter Roux

Pieter Roux is a director in the civil service. He was once the Chief Flight Instructor at one of the largest flying schools at nearby Wonderboom airport, and brings a wealth of testing and assessment skills to SFT. He is our prime testing officer, taking care of the majority of progress flights, PPL tests and PPL revalidations. He is also occasionally involved in Language Proficiency Rating tests. Pieter has considerable experience with ultralight aircraft operations. His background includes a theology degree from Stellenbosch University. He also flies for the Air Force's 111 Squadron as a volunteer pilot of light aeroplanes and of both light and medium jets.

Pieter has over 1500 hours of flying experience, including over 1000 hours of instruction, and holds a Grade II instructor rating that includes multi-engine privileges. He is working towards his Airline Transport Pilot Licence. Pieter is a walking encyclopedia on matters as diverse as General Aviation, music and politics. His latest project is a Master's degree in economic policy, which he is pursuing through his alma mater.

Dave Eloff

 

Dave Eloff used to be a computer systems analyst for a government institution. In 2006, he took the plunge to become a full-time pilot, flying Hawkers and Learjets for Zenith Air at Lanseria and as an Air Force volunteer. Dave is now a Dash 8 captain for SA Express. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and a Grade II instructor rating with multi-engine privileges and has over 4000 hours of flying experience.

Matt Earle is an electrical engineer, involved in the design and installation of audio-visual and boardroom automation systems. He holds a BSc Electrical Engineering degree from Wits. After a spell in the UK, he returned to qualify as a pilot, becoming a full-time instructor for about two years before resuming his engineering career. He holds a Commercial Pilot Licence with instrument, multi-engine and Grade II instructor ratings, and has around 1700 hours of flying experience and around 1400 hours as instructor.

Wessel Pretorius is a former aircraft mechanic who traded in a career maintaining Boeings for a career flying smaller aircraft. He holds a Commercial Pilot Licence with instrument, multi-engine and Grade II instructor ratings. His total instruction experience is over 2000 hours. He is also an Air Force volunteer, flying Beech King Airs and Cessna Citations for 104 Squadron. Wessel is building his own Zenair Skyjeep. He now runs his own flying school in Lephalale, while continuing to use SFT's techniques and training materials.

Vernon van Zijl was the first instructor that we produced in-house. He was working as a marketer and project coordinator in a furniture removal company when he heard about SFT. He saw an opportunity to resurrect his childhood dream of being a professional pilot. Two years of hard part-time work later, Vernon made a career change and is now living his dream as a commercial pilot. Apart from his Commerical Pilot Licence, Vernon holds multi-engine, instrument and Grade II Instructor ratings. He now has over 2500 hours of flying experience, including over 1500 as instructor. He has accumulated several examination credits towards his Airline Transport Pilot Licence.

Vernon spent about two years at SFT as a full-time instructor. He is now in a new phase of his career. He started off flying turboprop singles as a charter captain, and is now a contract pilot on twin-engined machines. He is still involved at SFT on a part-time basis.

Johan van Niekerk is also predominantly an in-house product, having arrived at SFT with only a Private Pilot Licence. He did his Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument Rating with us, then tackled his instructor rating. Johan now has over 1000 hours of flying experience, including almost 800 as instructor. He studied Computer Science through Unisa and develops logistics systems for Delta Motor Corporation. When he is not at the airport, Johan also plays the occasional round of golf. He is now a Grade II instructor. Johan is also contributing greatly to automating some of SFT's administration chores, including the exam and reservation systems.

Phone: 073 255 8017

Lourens Burger holds a Commercial Pilot Licence with a Grade II Instructor rating, as well as a Multi-Engine instrument rating. He has over 800 hours of instruction experience and over 1000 hours of flying. He made a career change from running his own office equipment company, selling air conditioners, coffee machines and water coolers. He has passed all his Airline Transport Pilot Licence subjects, and is contemplating a new career as a charter pilot. To relax, he enjoys golf and cricket.

In case you were wondering, Lourens does not have any relatives in the school...

Phone: 084 443 7907

Theo Odendaal is a contract pilot flying turboprops, including Beech 1900 and Turbine DC3. Theo holds a Commercial Pilot Licence with a Grade II instructor rating. He also holds a BA degree from the University of Pretoria.

Phone: 082 563 0666