Al-Qalam 
As a founder of a flying school in Durban, Fatima Khan is opening doors for aspirant young pilots, especially from disadvantaged communities, writes Sana Ebrahim.
While growing up, Fatima Khan of Durban was always afraid of heights but she conquered her fears by taking an air flip around the city. Today she is a commercial fixed wing pilot, helicopter pilot and owner of a top flying school. “Throughout my life, I was scared of heights and at the turn of the century, I decided to go on an air flip around Durban. I loved it so much that I overcame my fears and decided to study for my private pilots licence, then a commercial pilots licence. My fear of heights was truly beaten and I felt that I had this great open sky to test myself. You might say I was ‘lucky’, that is true but there is a secret: Your efforts must be fed by your faith and your faith must be nourished by your efforts.” Fuelled by a desire to uplift young people, Khan established Focus Air at Virginia Airport in Durban. The flight school is just under a year old and aims to be the people’s choice when it comes to studying aviation. Khan is also a successful real estate agent and says her aviation venture will enable her to give back to the community. The Durban North resident who is formerly from Chatsworth said “she enjoyed flying so much she decided to open her own professional flight school which would enable all trained pilots to be of service to those who are in need, especially the ill, injured and those who are in life threatening situations. “We are pursuing excellence. Our target is the townships – I came from one – they are the future. We are going to grow, but we must change lives in the process. It’s not enough to fly the sky. It’s important for everyone on the ground to have something nourishing to eat.” “We have students from all walks of life and try more to accommodate the less fortunate as Aviation was known for the ‘Elite Few’ and we are trying to move away from the mindset. Applicants are from across the economic spectrum from the wealthy to township dwellers. We are attracting some of the brightest young minds, many of whom won’t get into University.” The trainers are: Jon Sargood (Chief Flight Instructor – over 45 years of experience, pilot at Red Cross and head of Training); Nival Ranjith (Senior Flight Instructor); Nashon Thulsi (Audit Manager and Instructor); Rizwana Khan (SAQA accredited facilitator and Instructor); Sahil Parduman (Safety Officer); Lindokhule Madonsela (Grade 3 Instructor); and Yaseen Khan (Resposible for Aircraft and Commercial students). Focus Air facilities at Virginia Airport include classrooms, briefing rooms, exam centre, student lounge, cafe, and accommodation. “I love fast cars and my children and I have Ford Focus Cars, mine was a gift from my husband Ashraf so hence the name Focus Air,” she says. Some of her career highlights include: achieving all A’s in her exams; and seeing the smiles on faces of people that never thought they would be in an aircraft (drawn from institutions serving people with disabilities). Khan’s long-term goal includes starting her own Airline called Focus Air Mauritius, and is in the process of opening a Drone School. Her message to aspirant pilots: “Time is an illusion, energy is in short supply; there is no such thing as born with talent, it is practice, practice and more practice.” “The thought of my mum keeps me motivated. Who wouldn’t love to fly? I feel like a bird. God Almighty is totally in control and rewards your actions accordingly – this means never giving up. It’s never too late to make your move and… Let your dreams take flight.”
