J P M Kasselman (Kassie) for short and as known to fellow aviators. My aviation career started in 1962 as pupil pilot selected as part of Course 1/62 Central Flying School Dunnotter. My first instructor was the one and famous Mannetjies Roux Springbok rugby player.
My SAAF career was as Pilot GD on Harvards and DC 3 and Impalas. I qualified as Instructor on Harvards and DC 3. In 1968 I did my commercial licence and Instructor rating and got involved in Civilian Flying. My first HP aircraft was the Beechcraft A60 more known as the Duke as Corporate pilot for at that time for Rondalia and Saambou Nasionaal, from Wonderboom airport and in 1978 for Senwes in Klerksdorp.
I studied through Unisa and completed my B Com in 1981. In 1981 I went to the USA and bought a King Air E90 for the company. This is how my Turbo Prop flying started. Just for interest sake. The Rand exchange rate was $1.33 for a Rand. The price the King Air E90 was R773 000. In 1988 I established Wes Transvaal Flying School, which I operated until 2009 when I sold it.
In between I also did a lot of Freelance flying on Beechcraft 90, 200 and Beechcraft 99 and 1900. I also flew various light twins. I am privilege to have 76 types on my File copy as Pilot and instructor and a total of 28 400 hours to date of wnich 16000 as Flight instruction.
During my aviation career I am fortunate with only one accidant on a Cessna 411 with a double failure of turbo charges during take off. I have an still is enjoying my aviation career. It is a privelege to be able to give back to fellow Aviators where ever it is possible.
I also wish to continue this PRIVILEGE to be part of Bucephalus. Once a pilot is LIFE, not always for the money but for the PRIVILEGE
