Long school breaks are usually time set for children to reboot and relax as they either engage in social activities or get more family bonding time.
However, Paul Mbugua resorted to designing his own aeroplane using locally available materials like scrap metals and proceeded to fly it three kilometres within their residence in Kiambu County before it crash-landed at a garden.
Speaking on the Kenya Diaspora Media channel, Mbugua intimated that he and his brother sought to pass time by assembling the aircraft.
He pointed out that his interest in electronics had piqued at an early age and had already assembled a radio using raw materials and also generated his own electricity after designing a windmill.
Seeking the thrill of a lifetime, Paul and his brother, Charles Mbugua endeavoured to assemble the aircraft and fly it high. What baffled many, according to Paul, is how far the aircraft flew before it plunged from the sky.
As the plane was about to crash land, his brother, however, disembarked after fearing for his life and fell to the ground. Mbugua resorted to steering the plane until it landed.
"The major hitch was direction as the plane kept on swaying. When the plane was about to hit an escarpment, I manoeuvred and managed to crash land at a nearby farm. They were very angry with us but we thank God that no one was hurt," he stated.
He noted that the experience enabled him to earn an employment opportunity to work at Wilson Airport after completing his secondary education.
"I went to a friend who worked at Wilson Airport. My only hope was through the newspaper coverage that I had been featured in at the time. I urged him to take the newspaper article to his boss to which he obliged. Afterwards, I was requested to pay the boss a visit."
He noted that he went with a toy car to prove his ingenuity and innovative skills. What baffled the boss is that the toy did not use natural light but using torch or matchbox.
"When I presented it to the boss, it went on for about 18 seconds and back. Impressed by my skill, he sought to know what I wanted and I responded by stating that I wanted to learn how aeroplanes work. He took me in for training," he pointed out.
From metal bashing to wiring, Mbugua became familiar with the interior and exterior of a plane. Five years after his training commenced, he was hired to work on aircraft maintenance.
"After undergoing intense training, I realised how much I had endangered my life and my brother's while constructing the plane back in the day with no safety precautions," he stated.
Mbugua affirmed that he is still called upon for various repairs inside and outside the country. Currently, he has traversed all countries in Africa- except a handful.
