51�Թ�

Mr Emmenis said he had known Mr O'Connell from the latter's time as a test pilot at the South African Air Force.

He retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel and went on to work as a test pilot.

And, like a junior officer first learning tactics, some lessons can only be learned in the air, Vista’s test pilots said.

Mr. Dwight was a charismatic, handsome test pilot, a public relations dream for an administration looking to lead on civil rights.

He later served as a test pilot and flight instructor, among other roles, before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force in the mid-1960s.