He’s on cloud nine!

Barrel rolls, close encounters with a joy stick . . . Lois Kuhle’s in seventh heaven.

One of the perks of this job is being swept off my feet by a gorgeous young man, flipped and rolled. Maybe I should explain. Michel Leusch is a young aerobatic pilot, based at Virginia Airport. He has had a long association with flying and nothing, it seems, will clip his wings.

See our picture gallery below: All pictures by FRANS DELY

“Aerobatics has five levels,” he explained to me while my feet were still firmly on the ground. “It goes from Graduate, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced and finally Unlimited. Normally it takes a year to advance to the next level.”

Normal is obviously not part of Michel’s psyche. Since his entry into the Graduate Level in December last year, he has jumped ahead in leaps and bounds, and currently holds an Advanced Licence, automatically making him an instructor.

“I attended a weekend training camp in Margate last December,” he continued. “All my heroes were there. I was speechless and it was such an honour to be among such great airmen!”

Aerobatic pilots must have a minimum of a PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence).

“I have been so lucky since then. The five members of the Echo Unltd Yak Formation Team have taken me under their wing, willing me on and helping me.”

Tragically his other mentor, Kevin Woolacott, a Natal Aerobatic Team member who put the Margate workshop together, was one of the victims of the recent air crash in Tzaneen. Frans Dely, an outstanding and world renowned photographer, whose photos we have used here, was also lost in the crash.

“It’s not dangerous flying,” he consoled me. “I am more nervous flying to a venue in Joburg then the actual aerobatics.”

In December Michel competed for the first time in a plane he rebuilt from ‘dusty pieces’ found in the back of a hangar.

“I came third in that competition. In April I swapped the RV4 for a Zlin 50, which Zoo York now sponsors, and won a gold and silver medal in the Judges’ Trophy. In May I won two golds and the Highest Unknown Sequence in the Free State Regionals.”

His triumph in that competition has secured him a place on the Springbok team and he will participate in the World Champs next year.

“My dad, Andre, has been a huge inspiration for me. Since I can remember we have flown model planes and he taught me to fly full size gliders by the time I was 15. I couldn’t even drive a car!”
His enterprising personality and love for model planes funds Michel’s love of aerobatics.

“I build model planes from a wooden hut at home and sell them through my shop in Pinetown!”

When Michel offered me a flip down the coast I jumped at the opportunity.  We taxied out in a glorious bright red D6 Sling, canopy down – like film stars in a sports car. We took off and headed south and soon Michel offered me the controls. Now I understand the meaning of a “joy-stick” – what a thrill it was to fly high above Durban, following our beautiful coastline to Toti.

I expertly turned the plane around (nothing to this flying) and, as we headed home, Michel said: “Should we do a barrel roll?” Swept up in the spirit of the moment I nodded eagerly. Next thing we were upside down.

“It’s a weird feeling, isn’t it?” said Michel, basking in the adrenalin. “The brain doesn’t quite know what to do. It knows something is wrong, but it’s difficult for it to compute the information!”

Honey, this brain has a hard time when it’s the right way up. It did take me a minute or two to recover, and my stomach to find its correct place. But, wow, what an experience!

At 29 Michel Leusch has the world at his feet. Educated at Northwood High, he is testament to the fine young men this town is nurturing.

Info: Find Michel at Flight-pro in Pinetown or 082 454 1726