First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
GunsssR4ever
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Out there somewhere ...
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
Well done young lady
Ful report HERE
The sky is no limit for Refilwe Ledwaba, 26, who has become the first black female helicopter pilot in the South African Police Service. There were smiles and kudos all round on Wednesday when Ledwaba, who comes from Tzaneen in Limpopo, was congratulated by the SAPS at a function in Pretoria.
Top brass hailed Ledwaba's achievement as a "success story and another sign that the police service belongs to all South Africans". Divisional Commissioner of Operational Response Services Arno Lamoer encouraged black women to follow in Ledwaba's footsteps, adding that he was proud of the transformation that had taken place within the SAPS.
The new helicopter pilot, a University of Cape Town BSc graduate, said she had become interested in flying "just to explore" the idea of being in the sky.
Having met the pilot training entry requirements with her maths and science achievements, she joined a programme offered by the SAPS in 2004.
Her ability to handle heights was tested. She underwent a psychometric test to check whether she was mentally fit to become a pilot.
Ledwaba trained at 43 Air School in Port Alfred where she started her career as a pilot. She later went for further training at Starlight Aviation before returning to the SAPS. She has completed 30 hours of flying for the SAPS and is enjoying herself.
"At first it was just one of those things that come into one's mind. It later grew in me that I could make it as pilot and my love of flying kept me going. Now, I just love it.
"I'm not able to talk about any challenges or difficulties on my way to becoming a pilot because it has been like playing any other fun game. My love for what I'm doing has helped me to do it. I'm glad that others may follow this career because I have shown them that it is possible to make it," said Ledwaba.
Top brass hailed Ledwaba's achievement as a "success story and another sign that the police service belongs to all South Africans". Divisional Commissioner of Operational Response Services Arno Lamoer encouraged black women to follow in Ledwaba's footsteps, adding that he was proud of the transformation that had taken place within the SAPS.
The new helicopter pilot, a University of Cape Town BSc graduate, said she had become interested in flying "just to explore" the idea of being in the sky.
Having met the pilot training entry requirements with her maths and science achievements, she joined a programme offered by the SAPS in 2004.
Her ability to handle heights was tested. She underwent a psychometric test to check whether she was mentally fit to become a pilot.
Ledwaba trained at 43 Air School in Port Alfred where she started her career as a pilot. She later went for further training at Starlight Aviation before returning to the SAPS. She has completed 30 hours of flying for the SAPS and is enjoying herself.
"At first it was just one of those things that come into one's mind. It later grew in me that I could make it as pilot and my love of flying kept me going. Now, I just love it.
"I'm not able to talk about any challenges or difficulties on my way to becoming a pilot because it has been like playing any other fun game. My love for what I'm doing has helped me to do it. I'm glad that others may follow this career because I have shown them that it is possible to make it," said Ledwaba.
Ful report HERE
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Johannesburg
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
Was a cabin attendant for BA/Comair/Kulula.com for about 2-3 years, remember her as a very lively, bublly personality and would like to congratulate her on this achievement. If you set your heart towards something then it CAN be achieved. She deserves it!!!!
Gatvol
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
Based on all comments here, Im betting she has been under more scrutiny than ANY of the other Pilots. She made the grade, good for her.....
Hope she hangs in there ......
Hope she hangs in there ......
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: South Africa
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
She had a jumpseat with us a while ago and was very excited about joining the SAPS air wing. She obviously worked hard for this, and with reference to the posts on the R22 down in KZN - it still holds true that a keen individual who wants it badly enough will come through with flying colours, despite any obstacles in the way. Lets trust that she'll be afforded time to build solid experience and not be expected to perform at 6000hr levels immediately.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Your nearest Marriott
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
So when the fuel is finished, what do we do?" ReFILwe
Just kidding, well done there!!
Out of interest, I was having luch at JIA the other day, and the waitress ended up bumping our whole drinks order off the table. She looked extremely embarassed, and I wanted to make her feel better, by using her name. However, I cuold not help her, because I couldnt stop laughing. Yes you guessed it.......Refilwe
Just kidding, well done there!!
Out of interest, I was having luch at JIA the other day, and the waitress ended up bumping our whole drinks order off the table. She looked extremely embarassed, and I wanted to make her feel better, by using her name. However, I cuold not help her, because I couldnt stop laughing. Yes you guessed it.......Refilwe
Last edited by I.R.PIRATE; 14th Jan 2006 at 08:50.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Defecting
Age: 64
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
What, a Female flying in SA without the help of her father. Whatever next!!!
Sorry folks, could not resist. Well done to this lady.
Be well all
Tzar
Sorry folks, could not resist. Well done to this lady.
Be well all
Tzar
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moscow
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: First Black, Female, Copper, Chopper Pilot ...
Well done Refilwe ! A high-flyer this one, and top of her ground school - despite their shortened programme and ad-hoc accommodation.
GunsssR4ever
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Out there somewhere ...
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by MysticFlyer
So is she SA, meaning Southern African, or South African?
SAPS?
SAPS?
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: This side of the moon
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like some lucky Dude in exile in Swaziland, or was it Lesotho? That's also in Southern Africa. Wondered what he did to be in exile there....
Who else has been diasdvantaged in the neighbouring Southern Africa? CAA, any there? Vicky B got very advantaged here, or not....?
Who else has been diasdvantaged in the neighbouring Southern Africa? CAA, any there? Vicky B got very advantaged here, or not....?
GunsssR4ever
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Out there somewhere ...
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ned-Air2Air
Hey Guns isnt the Limpopo some sort of little creek somewhere
I have seen it on a bad day mate - it can be one of the most vicious in Africa (yeah believe it or not Ripley)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever the wind takes me
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey Refilwe!
Always knew you would do it! And not only are you a great pilot, but you have a fantastic personality...
Well done is all i can say. How's Jack and Lanky and the rest?
Always knew you would do it! And not only are you a great pilot, but you have a fantastic personality...
Well done is all i can say. How's Jack and Lanky and the rest?