Durban – More than 40 years after hanging up his wings, Kloof pensioner Mike Atter has taken to the skies.
Atter, 73, completed his first solo flight at the Durban Skyye Flight School based at Virginia Airport at the weekend.
This was quite a feat, said chief flying instructor Brad Isaacson.
“He has only done 18 hours of dual training and is already flying solo. Some youngsters take up to 30 hours before they can fly solo, Mike has been exceptional.”
Speaking to the Daily News on Monday, Atter said he had obtained a pilot’s licence while living in Mozambique, but had not flown since 1971.
In South Africa, Atter worked in the shipping industry but always harboured a desire to go back to flying.
“It was always in the back of my mind but 10 years after retiring, I visited my cousin in England who renewed his licence after 20 years. I told him I wanted to fly again as well but thought they would not take me at my age,” he said.
His cousin egged him on, reigniting a love for airplanes that had long been dormant.
Upon his return he contacted the trainers.
Isaacson said when he saw Atter’s ID, he was surprised. However, he was astounded at how Atter had not lost the “touch and feel” for flying.
“It just goes to show that if you are taught properly the first time, you will always remember,” he said.
“Mike did incredibly well; it amazes me that he has not flown for more than 40 years.”
Isaacson said Atter’s enthusiasm and dedication was palpable each time he arrived for his lesson. He said despite his experience, Atter followed instructions and was a model student.
Atter is also full of praise for his instructor.
“It can’t be easy to teach an old dog new tricks but Brad has been a fantastic instructor.
“Things are much more technical now and I had to familiarise myself with the instruments but I was quite comfortable in the cockpit,” he said.
The septuagenarian said his first solo flight was “exhilarating” and although “I probably won’t fly much, it’s enough to have a licence so I can fly when I want to”.