What really happens in the cockpit? Retired SAA pilot Mark Delport weighs in
From enemy attacks to gunshots fired on a plane - veteran pilot Mark Delport has survived it all.
Captain Mark Delport has been a certified pilot for 44 years. He spent 31 years thereof working for South African Airways (SAA).
It's safe to say that the Delport had his fair share of air travel’s ups and downs.
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Captain Delport's name will forever be captured in the history books of the aviation industry.
He is being lauded for his heroic efforts to safely land SAA flight SA286 amid severe clear-air turbulence over Kuala Lumpur in 2014.
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In 2018, Captain Delport visited the Scenic Drive and shared a story from his army days when, at just 20, he survived an enemy attack on the plane that he was flying.
One passenger was on the flight when several gunshots were fired at the aircraft.
Delport was shot in the neck but, miraculously, was not severely injured. He still has the bullet lodged in his neck to this day.
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In 2018 Delport chronicled the dire state of SAA.
Delport sat down with the Scenic Drive to talk about things that happen in the skies.Tune in to the 'Scenic Drive with Rian', weekdays from 16:00-19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Image Credit: Supplied