#283 The Charter Comeback: Beech 1900s, Bush Strips and a Better Life

Charter flying in South Africa is booming, and Ryan is living it: Beech 1900 trips to Zimbabwe, Botswana, the Lowveld and the Northern Cape in the space of three weeks. After last week's Etihad debate, the guys make the case that the most exciting flying job in the country might not be at an airline at all.

Bryan Roseveare is joined as always by Ryan Parrock for the charter pilot life, how to break in, and a busy week of aviation news.

IN THIS EPISODE

Ryan celebrates 10 years married, then makes the punt for charter flying: real hands on flying, a different destination every week, and none of the double Bloemfontein routine.

How to get hired: Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC-12 jobs for low hour pilots, mentorship programmes, company roadshows, and why the walk of shame with your CV still works.

The honest downsides: you are the planner, the caterer and the baggage handler, there is no toilet on a 1900, and you think twice before ducking behind a bush at a strip in lion country.

SAA places its acting CEO on special leave after four months, with press reports linking the move to the airline's catering subsidiary, and questions in the aviation press about who now holds the accountable manager role.

The Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 tail strike and runway overrun at Munich, and the Lufthansa A380 that clipped approach lights on the same runway days later.

flydubai resumes flying over Iranian airspace, and a French Rafale pilot spots a fuel leak on a Miami bound Global 6000 before it headed out over the Atlantic.

Plus the Springboks vs the All Blacks and the return of Formula 1.

Want to ask Ryan about charter flying? Leave a comment on the YouTube version of this episode and we'll pass it on.

The FlySafair ownership video Bryan mentions plays at the end of this episode, or watch it here: https://youtu.be/jP4XuKjKfE4

I'm Bryan Roseveare. I was an airline captain. I still go to work on the flight deck. It's just a full flight simulator now, and the pilots I train are the ones who fly you around.

SOURCES

SAA places acting group CEO on special leave (EWN, 18 August 2026) → https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/08/18/saa-places-acting-group-ceo-matshela-seshibe-on-special-leave

Reports link the SAA move to Air Chefs (Sunday Times, 15 August 2026) → https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-08-15-inside-the-saa-drama/

Vietnam Airlines 787 late rotation, tail strike and overrun at Munich (The Aviation Herald, 15 August 2026) → https://avherald.com/h?article=53da99f6&opt=0

Lufthansa A380 lands short and damages approach lights at Munich (Simple Flying, 18 August 2026) → https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-a380-overrun-munich/

flydubai resumes Iran overflights despite EASA guidance (Simple Flying) → https://simpleflying.com/flydubai-resumes-flights-iranian-airspace-easa-warnings/

Rafale pilot spots fuel leak on Global 6000 over France (AeroTime) → https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/rafale-fuel-leak-global-6000-le-bourget

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