Attie Jonker, lecturer at the School of Mechanical Engineering at the North-West University’s Potcefstroom Campus were approached by the Aeronautical Society of South Africa (RAeS) to deliver a speech at their Yearly Memorial Lecture. What was believed to be a uncomplicated lecture then turned out to be a formal recognition of achievement when Jonker Sailplanes received the Neels van Niekerk Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aerospace Engineering from the RAeS.
The RAeS which will be celebrating their hundredth birthday in 2011, has only given this award three times in the last two decades, the recipients being – The Rooivalk, Celstar and then the Jonker’s JS1 Revelation. “This award is a highly acclaimed achievement, only presented to individuals whom has proven to contributes extensively to aeronautical engineering within South Africa. This is the highest honour the society can bestow upon any Aeronautical Engineer, and the JS1 Revelation deserves the honour” says Rob Jonkers, chairman of the RAeS. “Our decision was based on their revolutionary contribution to aerospace engineering, which also marked in the Bronze Medal they received at the Royal Aeronautical Society of Europe last October”.
Apart from the award, the brilliant technical presentation also received outstanding feedback and kept the seventy attendees glued to their seats. “I’m blown away by your work” commented a passionate student. Jonker has now also been approached to deliver lectures at WITS and University of Pretoria, which proves that the NWU is a national force to be reckoned with in Aeronautical Engineering Training.
Attie Jonker is extremely modest about his achievements, but one subject he talks fervently about is his passion for sailplanes which started at age five. At fifteen Jonker knew that he wanted to be a top class Aeronautical Engineer. He had gigantic dreams, and every decision he made from then on was aimed at his goal of building a state of the art sailplane. The Engineering Faculty at the North-West University provided him with the quality education and resources he needed and now, fifteen years later he has done just that: Built the best sailplane in the world. Jonker Sailplanes, owned by brothers Attie and Uys Jonker has been established and former student of Attie, Johan Bosman, who is now also co-owner of Jonker Sailplanes and part of the project since 1999.
Jonker’s achievements as competitive glider pilot, four-time National Gliding Champion, member of the South African National Team, has proven to sailplane enthusiasts globally that the JS1 Revelation is the plane to own, and orders are now flowing in by the numbers.
But the achievements does not stop here, apart from a pending patent, history was made when the team of Jonker Sailplanes, received a bronze award from the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) in London. The award was presented to them on November 5 at the 2008 Specialist Medals and Awards ceremony of the society. This is the first ever South African organisation to receive such a prestigious award from the RAeS since its formation in 1866.
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The team from Jonker Sailplanes, Attie Jonker, Uys Jonker and Johan Bosman received the award for work of merit, which led to advance or contribution in specialist disciplines in the aerospace industry.
The application of Jonker’s work has expanded further, and his current research also focuses on wind turbines. The inspiring story of Attie Jonker’s life, and how his dreams became a reality has served as inspiration for many young engineers, post-graduate students pursuing a career in aeronautical engineering and scholars, dreaming to reach to top. This is Jonker’s passion: Living his dream, and moving others to achieve theirs.
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