In doing so he said he had become the 7th person of Indian origin throughout South Africa to achieve this feat: “And the first to pass out of Legend’s doors. In fact, I challenge the Indian community to follow in my footsteps. Becoming a helicopter pilot is the most exhilarating – and liberating - experience you can have”.

While he overflowed with exhilaration on achieving this milestone, it was interesting that he constantly spoke of his “new family”.

“Anyone who wants to become a helicopter pilot must join the Legend Aviation family. That is what they are to me. I cannot stay away from them. They are the most extraordinarily helpful group of professionals I have ever encountered. I loved their style of teaching and in particular how they forced me to accept that there are no silly questions in aviation, or too many, for that matter.”

The combination of camaraderie and professional back-up had ingrained the Legend’s instructors into his life.

A self-made man, Prem Balram owns a security company (Reaction Unit South Africa) that operates out of Verulam and services the KZN North Coast. His enthusiasm for flying prompted him to build his own heli-pad at his home: “My next quest is to buy my own helicopter but that will take time”.

a family setting then this has to be the most inviting and most rewarding experience I could have hoped for.

I always wanted to be a pilot and it has taken me until now to save the money to do it. I should say that before I came to Durban in South Africa I enquired about helicopter pilots courses elsewhere; Canada, the US, Europe and briefly Africa. However Legend’s agent persuaded me otherwise and I will thank him forever for doing so. It really has been wonderful. Man, the instruction is thorough and all the Legend’s pilots are so experienced.

I will find a job flying for an oil company serving the industry in Nigeria next year. And I’ll be good at my job. I know that.

Beginning in February 2009, he completed his PPL in December last year (10 months) and his further studies are being combined with his job as a sports instructor at Glenwood Boys High in Durban.

The advice Marinus offers should give everyone great hope that they too can achieve what he has done. He candidly admits to not being the sort of person who likes studying (“Hey, I’m just an ordinary guy who loves sport so science and maths are no friends of mine”) and admits that the theory involved is the most challenging.

“I think it all has to do with your passion. Passion motivates the study you have to put in and eventually you really enjoy grasping aerodynamics and why the machine does what it does. It makes you wiser and confident. As for flying itself, well, seriously, it’s never too difficult. And again with some passion you’ll learn to fly with your eyes closed. It’s like learning to drive a car; physical co-ordination is important and of course some people tend to get the feeling a bit earlier. But overall, I feel there is room for pretty much anyone in aviation.”

Once again the Legend theme of companionship and professional support was raised in his appreciation for what the company offered him.

“I went for several interviews at many different helicopter training schools and I must admit, when I entered the chief pilot instructor's office at Legend Aviation I knew this was the place to be. People greeted me from all directions and it was as warm a welcome as you could have hoped for. If you’re serious about flying, there’s no doubting this company’s professionalism.”