In Part 1 of Episode 3, we sit down with ZS_MK — private pilot, aviation photographer, and one of South Africa’s earliest aviation creators on Instagram.

We unpack how a fascination with aviation from a young age turned into flying lessons, a solo at 17, and a growing ambition to pursue aviation professionally. ZS_MK shares how photography became a parallel passion, how Instagram played a role in shaping his aviation journey, and what it takes to consistently capture aircraft in some of South Africa’s most challenging environments.

This episode dives into process — from planning shots and positioning, to selecting images, writing captions, and understanding timing — as well as the realities of shooting around major airports like Cape Town International.

This is the story behind the images, the flying, and the discipline required to balance aviation and content creation — long before the followers came.

🎙️ The Pilot Podcast
Aviation. Unfiltered.

Episode 2 Part -2 of The Pilot Podcast, we continue the story behind building and operating a small charter business — and the realities that come with it. We also look at what happens

when things go wrong, handling a gear up landing in the Cessna 414, meeting your favourite Top Gear/Grand your trio, Daven getting detained in South Sudan and his relocation abroad to take up a direct entry Captain role with his new operator.

This episode is about decision-making, trade-offs, and understanding when to scale, pivot, or exit.

🎙️ The Pilot Podcast
Aviation. Unfiltered.

In this episode of The Pilot Podcast, we unpack the realities of starting out in aviation when the job market is tight and options are limited.

Daven Van Heerden unpacks being unemployed with low hours, knocking on doors and weighing up instructing versus opportunity, to the thinking that led to buying an aircraft, forming a charter company, and identifying viable regional routes — this is an honest look at how aviation careers and businesses actually begin.

This is not a highlight reel.
It’s the part of aviation most people never talk about.

🎙️ The Pilot Podcast
Aviation. Unfiltered.