Sharing flying experiences in South Africa
About FlyingFA
FA is the ICAO code for South Africa, so FlyingFA, is all about aviation in South / Southern Africa. The site and brand creator is Danie Gordon, a private pilot from Johannesburg.
Content is most frequently updated on Instagram, so be sure to follow @daniegordon.
Check out the latest long format videos under “featured videos” or visit Youtube directly. Please visit the Blog section as we share adventures, tips & tricks for general aviation.
We are keen to hear from you on what questions or topics you’d like to cover, so please get in touch!
New blog posts: Flying to Skukuza and Flying to Kimberley
Latest News
2025, the year in aviation, so far!
24 Aug 2025: Wow, 2025 has been a great year for flying for me. After completing my night rating in December 2024, I started the pursuit of getting my instrument rating earlier this year. I’m almost 80% of the way there. It really has been a rewarding experience, but certainly much harder than I anticipated. Keep a look out for a blog post soon on my experience and advice to anyone pursuing CPL or an IF rating in South Africa.
This year I’ve done a few trips to Bloemfontein and I’ve also made my first flights to Kruger International Airport (Nelspruit) and the Drakensburg (El Mirador). I’ve done my first ILS / VOR approaches at FALA and FAKN. I’m planning to complete my instrument rating in September in conjunction with an endoresement for RNAV / PBN. I’m looking forward to creating more content - please let me know if there are specific topics of interest for you.
22 Dec 2024: Visit the Blog section as I share tips and tricks and my experience flying to Skukuza (Kruger National Park) and Kimberley (Northern Cape).
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas!
Sharing the magic of flight with aunt Nora!
18 May 2024: Check out my latest video (see link on the left) where I take you through everything I do on a typical local flight to prepare and fly. I narrate the whole experience from pre flight to take off and landing.
Also check out my latest blogs reviewing airfields in South Africa and take a moment to leave a comment on what you’d like to see next.
Fly safe everyone.
Adding telemetry to aviation videos
22 December 2023: Check out my latest video (see link on the left) where I review software to create gauges on flying videos. It is a topic that has intrigued me for some time, and I’m glad to finally publish this video.
I’m looking forward to publishing some more aerodrome review blogs in the coming weeks, and I also have another flying video in draft that I hope to complete soon. As always, please keep your comments coming and thank you for your support. Wishing everyone the most amazing festive season with family. Stay safe.
New blog post: Which Flying App Should I Use?
18 November 2023: I have been using various EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) applications for several years. In this blog post, I compare Skydemon, Air Nav Pro, Garmin Pilot, and Foreflight, and ultimately conclude that Skydemon is the best EFB for VFR flying in South Africa. I discuss the pros and cons of each app, and provide detailed information about my own experiences using them. I also discuss the challenges of integrating Garmin avionics with non-Garmin EFBs.
Blog post added: Flying to Aviators Paradise (FAAP)
23 September 2023: I’ve just published my blog post on flying to Aviators Paradise (FAAP). Fly on over to find out more.
Video on buying an aircraft just landed!
3 September 2023: I’ve just published my latest video that covers the purchase of ZS-DED, the process, considerations and costs.
Read my blog post about upcoming content.
Featured videos
Embark on an unforgettable aviation adventure as we celebrate the Google Cloud Regional Launch in South Africa! Join us for a pilot's-eye view of Johannesburg and discover the transformative power of cloud computing. We'll explore the city's iconic landmarks, discuss the benefits of the new cloud region, and share valuable insights on cloud skills and career opportunities. Get ready for stunning visuals and a tech-filled journey!
Celebrating 50 years of ZS-DED and owning a plane for 2 years! Close calls with altitude errors forced a major upgrade that I needed to make to keep my 1974 GA plane future-proof, but keeping budget in mind. Follow along as I explain the choices (including a Garmin GNX 375 for ADS-B In / Out and IFR foundation), and the benefits for GA pilots in South Africa looking to modernize their aircraft.
Sharing the magic of flight with someone makes for a really great day. My aunt, Nora, joins me for her first flight in a small aircraft. In this video I answer the question "Can you just get into you aircraft and fly wherever, whenever you want?" and "How do pilots avoid other aircraft in a congested uncontrolled airspace?". I take you through the typical requirements, planning and considerations that go into a safe general aviation flight. Johannesburg airspace has own special rules that need to be taken into account. I then narrate the actual flight that we take from Johannesburg Rand Airport (FAGM) to Aviators Paradise (FAAP) to explain what happens in the cockpit. This flight has been recorded with full intercom and ATC, and features gauge overlay (airspeed, altitude, etc). I also include Skydemon (Electronic Flight Bag) tracking for a portion of the flight. Come join this exciting and heartwarming journey and share in the magic of soaring above the African skies!
In this video, I share my journey to buying my first aircraft. I talk about the factors I considered, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way. I also discuss the costs involved and what I paid in South Africa. If you are thinking about buying an aircraft, this video is for you!
This video is a must-watch for anyone who loves airplanes. I'll take you on a journey from the beginning to the end of my airplane's transformation, and I'll share all the details along the way. Find out why I did it and the inspiration behind it all.
"The sky is not the limit, it's just the beginning."
