Scary Stuff There and Back
Jim Davis has a passion for instructing. He has been training civil and military pilots, in the air and on the ground for 50 years. His other passion is writing, which he studied at Curtin University in Perth. You can see, and buy, his two pilot text books PPL and Flight Tests at www.jimdavis.com.au
A pilot’s logbook is far more that just a record of dates, times, places and flights; it is also a history of a pilot’s flying career and a chronicle of the lessons learnt that makes them the aviator they are today. Jim Davis takes a look back through his own logbooks, and records the incidents that have shaped his approach to flying.
I was walking along the verandah past Zingi’s office when he called me in.
“Davis, you see that Tri-Pacer that is sitting in front of the hangar? Well take it down to Jerry Stegi in Durban, and he has got a Colt for you to bring back.”
“Sure thing, Skipper.” I am halfway out the door in my enthusiasm to get going, when Zingi calls me back.
“Don’t worry, you’ll probably get bloody lost. I’ll get Dronkie Lombard to do it.”
“Excuse me, Skipper – I have just been to Rhodesia and back without getting lost.” Really, sometimes Zingi could be very irritating. “Ah, come on, Skipper, I really want to go. I have never been to Durban.”
“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.” He paused and viewed me as if I were something he found stuck to the sole of his shoe after visiting the RSPCA. “Davis,” he said very slowly and quietly, “if
