GEORGE NEWS - How do you recognise a pilot in the crowd? According to Luis Rebelo, KFMs newest weatherman and full-time flying instructor based in George, they are the only ones "looking up" when there is any kind of engine noise overhead.

With a call name like ‘jester’, it is no surprise that Luis can weather all the jokes about George’s unpredictable weather system, which is why KFM listeners want to raise support, especially in the Southern Cape community, to keep him on air.

Although his new job "happened suddenly" and has "snowballed" after Luis sent presenter Ryan O’Connor a great weather prediction site, it is not too far a cry from his usual chats on a microphone while piloting, only this time, Luis says, it is not "one person in air traffic control but three million listeners" on radio.

Born in Durban and raised in Cape Town, Luis (which is pronounced Lewish) is from Portuguese descent and worked for SAA’ s cabin crew for 12 years before starting his private pilot license in 2008 in George.
He admits to being a family man and was looking forward to "spending quality time" with wife Nikki, who runs their home in Cape Town, and sons Miguel (8) and Luis jnr (2) during the Easter weekend.
Although not always starting with a plan, Luis enjoys "cooking up a storm" and just "seeing what comes out." And when it will listen to everything but is "definitely a Nickleback man."

Colleagues at the Flight Training College - of whom Luis speaks very highly, especially the man "who guides us", Walter Waldeck - might think his weatherman stint is "a huge laugh at the moment" but many (jokingly) say they are ready to step in for him at any time! Instructor Raymond Hill says Luis’ weather reporting is "something different" because he presents it in a "nice social way." Etienne Bruwer adds "anything to promote aviation."

His students, who have aerodynamics and navigation as subject with him, admit it was weird to hear their instructor on radio, but as student Jessica sums it, it is now with a "sense of pride" that they listen to him between 06:40 and 07:20 daily.
With support from his colleagues, students and listeners based in the Cape Town area, Luis hopes that the George and Southern Cape community will get behind his contribution to marketing our Garden Route on radio, and even soon help him welcome the KFM breakfast team to broadcast live from our beautiful city of George. To voice your support text or email the breakfast team at KFM.


Luis in flight instructor mode with student Jessica Crewdson (from Knysna).

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: LEEANNE PRATT