Tag Archives: Koenie van der Walt

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt Over the years Safair has always excelled during time of crisis – sometimes under extremely challenging and dangerous conditions, but always completing every operation professionally. The political climate in Southern Africa during the eighties and early nineties was very uncertain and volatile. During this period Safair was often calledContinue reading “Safair Hercules to the Rescue!”

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt The well known horticulturist Keith Kirsten had a weekly television program on South African TV during the mid 1980s. Keith Kirsten was contacted by the Managing Director of a well know SA Company, asking if he would be interested in doing the landscaping of the gardens at the palaceContinue reading “Landscaping the Gardens of the Presidential Palace at Gbadolite, DRC”

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt The Hercs became very popular at one time for use in and out of short unpaved runways in the bush, carrying both international as well as local incentive groups. To expand our services within this particular market sector of carrying incentive groups, Safair approached the Vartys who owned NgalaContinue reading “Ngala Private Game Reserve Runway Opening”

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt Due to the Hercules aircraft excellent short take off and landing (STOL) capabilities the Safair fleet featured in some ground-breaking operations to carry civilian passengers. This was at a time where the civil aviation regulations were much more relaxed, compared to what they are today. Although the Hercs areContinue reading “Fiat Uno Italian Incentive Group 1988”

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt On a spring afternoon in 1986 Ina Hayward, the receptionist at Safair at the time, phoned me to tell me there was a man at reception who wanted to speak to me about chartering a Hercules aircraft. To put the normal procedure into context at the time, I haveContinue reading “Relocation of Wildlife from Malawi to South Africa”

Contribution by Koenie van der Walt During my time as Marketing Services Manager for Safair Freighters and after the name change to SAFAIR I have had the privilege and honour to experience and enjoy many opportunities where the Hercules L-100 fleet of aircraft were used. Writing about these wonderful machines, it brings back fond memoriesContinue reading “World Skydiving Event Hosted in Quincy, Illinois, USA 1986”