Durban - South African Air Force (SAAF) pilot Colonel Donovan Chetty is the first Indian in the country to command the largest flying unit.
Chetty, 42, from Kuils River in Cape Town, was appointed Officer Commanding the Central Flying School in Langebaanweg, Pretoria.
He will manage the training of pilots until they obtain their "wings".
He will also manage the training of qualified SAAF pilots to flight instructors and prepare budding fighter pilots on the fighter orientation course.
Chetty, originally from Isipingo, said his journey to the SAAF was sparked while growing up near Durban’s old airport.
“I would always wonder how such a massive machine could be kept in the air. Although the commercial aircraft thrilled me, the military jets that zoomed over our house, routing out to sea to conduct their exercises every now and then, excited me more.
"At that time, I thought if I could not fly these machines, then perhaps just working on them would have to suffice.”
Chetty said many Indian youth had not considered career paths in the South African National Defence Force.
“There are opportunities that are made available for young South Africans and in arenas in which they can prosper. However, one must be committed to serve one's country and more so its people.”
After he studied civil engineering at the Durban University of Technology, Chetty joined the South African Navy in 1996. He completed his apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter before he switched to the air force as an aircraft mechanic.
“My exposure to aviation, while serving in the navy, made me realise that my calling to be an aviator was unsatisfied and the navy was not going to make this urge and dream possible.
"In 2000, I was among the seven candidates to make the final cut in the air force’s trainee pilots programme. I trained at Langebaanweg, obtained a degree at the Military Academy and got my pilot’s wings in December 2002, and there has been no looking back since.”
Chetty was inspired by other officers of Indian descent who broke barriers to excel as leaders and mentors in the SAAF. This included Durban-born Brigadier-General Kevin Moonsamy, "a co-ordinator of an orientation course, who received me as a student at the Air Force Gymnasium in 1998,” said Chetty.
Moonsamy assumed command of strategic units - as the first Indian officer in charge of SAAF security squadrons and later commanding officer of the SAAF Gymnasium. He is now Director of Education and Training in the SAAF.
“Being exposed to these leaders and their mentorship made we want to progress to the next level in my SAAF career, and more so to have a positive impact and leave a legacy worthy of mention.”
One of his proudest achievements was being appointed commander of 35 Squadron in 2014. “This allowed me to exercise my knowledge and experience gained in the navy.”
It supported anti-piracy operations - managing and supplying trained maritime aircrew and air assets from 35 Squadron in Mozambique.
During this time as commander, the squadron received the Best Flying Unit accolade in 2014 at an awards ceremony.
Asked about his future plans, Chetty said: “ to assume command of a SAAF base would be the natural progression for me. However, I would like to serve my country as a defence attaché abroad.”
He is married to Joelaine, a scientist at the Medical Research Council, and they have two children, Callum Cole, 14, and Jordan Shemariah, 11.
Chetty is also a senior angler in the Western Province angling and defence leagues.