On Friday 26th June 2009 43 Air School celebrated its 21st anniversary. The school at the same time inaugurated its new state-of-the-art Piper Lecture Complex comprising of 7 lecture halls and an on-line exam centre.
Ms N Kiviet, Premier of the Eastern Cape Province inaugurated the complex followed by a luncheon hosted by the school for some 160 guests. During her keynote address, Premier Kiviet lauded the school for its achievements and contributions, not only in local or provincial terms, but also on a much wider scale. The Premier made particular mention of the close co-operation and partnership between the school and the Government of the Eastern Cape and indicated that she was particularly delighted to see what had been achieved at the 43 Air School campus at Bulembu where the school now have some 85 students.
Premier Kiviet concluded by saying that she was amazed to see what had been achieved in a mere 21 years. Against this background, she added, that she ‘ couldn’t wait to see where the school would be and what 43 Air School would have accomplished once it reaches maturity’!
The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Safety, Mrs Gloria Barry, her Director General , Dr Marie De Villiers, Captain Colin Jordaan, SA CAA Commissioner and local councilors, among others, attended the celebrations.
For 43 Air School staff it was wonderful to see people like Jim Davis (founder of the school), Steve Goodrick (Head of Training for many years), Tom Chalmers (Owner-Editor of World Airnews), to mention but a few, at the function. The Ground School ‘A’-team (Paddy, Kiewiet, LT and Du Toit) did a fantastic job with the food and students at EISS, the local University doing a B Comm. in Hospitality Management, assisted with the serving of the food.
As guests and staff were leaving the day’s festivities, one and all were in agreement that it was a big success. On the one hand a bit of a walk down memory lane with lots of pictures of and a presentation on 43 Air School’s illustrious history. On the other hand, the school’s recently appointed CEO, Attie Niemann, gave a clear picture of exciting plans for 43 Air School’s future.