What makes a Legend?
Its a word thats flung about the place particularly often, and many people would argue that it is an integral part of our magnificent language in which we communicate. In recent weeks however for many people (I say many people I think the actual figure would be far higher than we could ever predict), the word Legend has maybe at last lived up to its true definition.
Since the last defeningly tedious update life has continued to be nothing short of manic, yet at the same time enjoyable whilst making dare I say even progress through the incredibly steep learning curve that is the Line Training. Its slightly memorizing, perhaps is the correct phrase to see the logbook which has for so long lay stagnant on my desk start to spin through the pages as line under line is logged with another epic adventure in the magnificent 737. So far destinations include the likes of the Canaries, Cyprus, Norway and Scandinavia, the Baltics as well as Spain and Northern Africa. I think in one day last week I managed to clock travelling to 5 countries in about 14 hours (the latter as a passenger going home) resulting in an unsurprising 48 hours in bed following on as a result!
Looking out from the window last week, I couldn’t help but to enjoy the stunning panorama on offer out the window and whilst a huge amount of hard work goes into getting there- there is no doubt that there are people who I couldn’t have got here without, many of whom with such passion and love of aviation have inspired so many to go out and achieve.
If you look hard enough back through this desperate drivel on here, you’d find a quote in one of my first few ground school posts from FTE, where as a young timid newcomer to FTE I see an instructor pondering his way across to the bar and ask what is the easiest way to get into town. The reply came something along the lines of ‘you lie in the middle of the road, get hit by a car, call and ambulance and that will take you into the town.. that is the easiest way’. From what I’d heard from Mr Wood I almost guessed that it might have been Vic and even by the quote itself people around the school were quick to agree that it could have been none other than Mr Swanepoel. Sure enough they were all not mistaken, as a few days later he gracefully walks into our first Principles of Flight Lesson, in silence inspecting each course member before coming to our Norwegian counterpart’s name badge proclaiming ‘SOPHUS……….. WHAT THE F…..!’
Vic, a South African (a veerrrry proud one too) was never too slow to pick up on the fact that globes are the wrong way up.. with that tiny little island at the bottom of the world being totally insignificant in contrast to obviously South Africa at the top of the world… Being an ex Helicopter pilot, he was never afraid to answer most questions in POF with a simple ‘we’ll I can but you can’t in your fixed wing limited s…’! Vics’ reputation, was largely based by students on the fact he openly criticised one out loud to anyone in a crowd and was always there in lunch to approach (normally me in particular!) and openly humiliate in front of the entire room!
It was ironic last week, as coincidently I was rostered to fly with an old friend from FTE no less than Mr Ackerley himself as my acting safety pilot across to Bratislava and Zaragoza for the day. During the course of the day, the LTC was explaining bits and pieces about the aircraft but at various points I couldn’t help but smile as I could almost hear Vic in my ear teaching it, as he did those very points to us back at FTE. Nonetheless the topic in question I think for both Steve and myself was a mild shock to the system! The only difference with the LTC is that the standard ‘You b. English are useless..’ did not conclude the explanation on the flight deck!
Vic Swanepoel died on Boxing day, following almost a year long battle with cancer in his home country South Africa ending the life of a greatly loved & hugely well-respected gentleman. His inspiration spoke for itself, when the news came out even from the www, his very own ‘Appreciation society’ became rapidly swamped with tributes and condolences from the many hundreds whom his life had touched. Much of them, looking back on his life reflecting on the many quotes from hilarius lessons and general sense of humour, which broadly speaking just simply doesn’t exist in the same way! A passion for quality (Italian Engineering, I never told him but he was right!), Style (The Alfa is a nice car), the finest on Wines and the most marvellous jokes delivered to the utter abyss of political incorrectness yet with the faith of a heart of gold. Perhaps most of all, the ability to inspire people into this most fantastic career- passing over unbounding knowledge and experience with a smile, whilst always going out of his way to ensure that his Students knew they were wrong! The many hundreds who he taught (potentially thousands?), have almost all gone out into the career now and are flying aeroplanes of varied descriptions right around the world. One thing they have in common however, is to have known Vics’ great character whilst all at the same time each have been utterly humiliated for certain by Vics most marvellous jokes.
I thought it was fitting to put a little something up here, I am sure I speak for everyone he knew in feeling privileged to have known and be taught by him and as a result of the most evil of illness’s many more people who share that same dream are denied that very chance.
To answer the above question, for one just to wake up each day knowing that at some point during the day one would be laughing out loud, learning about the real world (not the one we just tend to accept and get on with), whilst enjoying the education of a lifelong dream- from someone who (inside!) generally really cared about your success.. Thats how I’ll remember Vic, and thats why I think that he’s a Legend.
I bet I’m not the only one.
Rest In Peace Vic.
