Donald L. Van Dyke Fraes

Fortune Favours the Bold: an African Aviation Odyssey Donald L. Van Dyke Fraes

Fortune Favours the Bold: An African Aviation Odyssey is the true story of Comair Ltd, one of aviation´s greatest successes in the most demanding but exciting marketplaces. By mastering the art of bonding brand promise and delivery , Comair´s 63 unbroken years of profit are exceptional in an industry plagued with volatility and troubles. This book traces its role in African air commerce and beyond, ultimately operating the first British Airways franchise outside Europe. It also details the close influence of celebrated visionaries including Jan Smuts, David Ben-Gurion, Harry Oppenheimer, Howard, Hughes, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and many others.

The book has its share of bizarre and amusing moments too. It debunks a number of myths and mysteries. It is heavily illustrated and interspersed with capsule commentaries on life in southern Africa over the past 65 years, often coinciding with some of the region s most tumultuous and significant periods. It covers events from World War II campaigns in East and North Africa through post-war development, rising political movements, international isolation, regional conflict and cooperation to evolving democracy. Through it all, Comair s history reflects the diversity of African experience.

This book is one of the best records of an aviation group ever produced. It will be of interest to industry experts, aviation and military historians, students of business, commercial law and political science, owners and operators of aircraft and anyone drawn to Africa s mystique.