'Clipper' cleared for take-off

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GEORGE NEWS - Retired professional ballet dancer turned children's writer Sharon Waldeck launched her new book, Clipper, at a private function at Redberry Farm on Saturday 6 November.

Seeing as all profits will go towards books for the kids at Thembalethu Primary School, teachers and learners from the school were the special guests.

Everybody enjoyed the book reading and the paper-plane making competition. After flying their paper jets, they were treated to a formation fly-past and fun display by Walter Waldeck and Anthony Yazbek in their RV7/8 aircraft.

The book was written for children eight years and older and introduces the reader to the adventures of a little aircraft named Clipper.

Photo gallery: New book to benefit Thembalethu Primary School

The small Cessna has been practising hard for the upcoming airshow, when he gets some disappointing news. Raven, the envious Piper Cherokee, gloats at Clipper's misfortune. With Clipper out of the competition, Raven sets his sights on winning the "Star of the Airshow" trophy.

However, Mavic the shady aircraft mechanic reminds Raven that Alexandra, a sleek beautiful aerobatic aeroplane, is still a strong contender. Clipper overhears their devious whispering and will stop at nothing to warn Alexandra of Raven's mischievous scheme.

The real Clipper, inverted above the beach.

Learning to fly

The idea for the book came to Sharon when her own two sons and nephew were learning to fly at Flight Training College (FTC) in George a few years ago.

She thought it a good idea to write down a few short stories for her future grandchildren, to one day help encourage them to read and develop their imagination.

Proving that with imagination, perseverance and hard work, dreams can come true, Jason, Warwick and Gareth are today very successful airline pilots with Airlink and Cathay Pacific in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Hong Kong.

Also an international airline pilot, her husband Walter recently retired from SAA as a Senior Training Captain, and in between their writings the two devote their time to the excellent staff and students of Flight Training College.