Proverbially punctual, Zoran Modli arrived (of course) right on time, for the scheduled interview at the Sava quay, near the Novobeograd blocks.
Throughout the decades of his career, Zoran has combined all his loves (or at least most of them known to us): radio, new technologies, flying... That love still lasts and Zoran continues to shower us with his ZAIR-om, whose popularity is not decreasing. Zoran Modli was always ahead of his time, and our (slightly older) readers will remember the unforgettable "creaking and beeping" of computer programs, which he played over UKT radio waves, so that listeners could record them on cassettes, and later load them into their computers (back in 1983).
There is probably still a significant number of people who do not know that Zoran Modli's basic career was: a Boeing 727 pilot, in the then JAT. Of course, he ended his very successful career as a pilot and instructor by retiring in 2010.
"Program leader(s), Zoran Modli!” - and the characteristic, unique, melodic voice, which has been Zoran Modli's trademark for decades.
- You were the first to fly a plane and host a radio show - and that's three full days o'clock?
It would have lasted even longer if the show had been longer and - more importantly - if there had been fuel in the tanks of my single-engine plane for those three hours! Anyway, in 1982, I was the first in this part of Europe to show in practice that it is not a problem to be the best pilot among the presenters and the best presenter among the pilots. It is much more difficult to be the best pilot among pilots and the best presenter among presenters! And there the competition is always stronger than you.
- You once stated: "I do not rule out the possibility of one day sitting at the controls of a jumbo jet". How do you see your flying career now - have all your wishes come true?
The time has come for me to completely rule out that possibility! In terms of flying, I did what my abilities and other people's needs allowed. At JAT, I sat at the controls of a Boeing 727 and, parallel to that, at the Prince Aviation company at the controls of business jets. I spent a good number of years as a flight instructor and taught pilots younger than me. But none of these companies had a jumbo jet in the fleet... Although, JAT had a DC-10, that is, a wide-body aircraft that could fit the jumbo jet class, but there was another problem: since it served only intercontinental lines, the life of the pilot it took place in accordance with the motto "small shift for two weeks, big shift for three weeks" - which meant long absences from home and family. Since I belong to domestic animals, I was much more receptive to Euro-Mediterranean traffic, where you do everything in one day and return home. That's why I never lifted two fingers to retrain on the DC-10, and thus get the chance to sit at the controls of a jumbo jet!
- You wrote a total of 9 books. Your last book, "Pilotska knjiga" - is sold out. Are you planning a new title?
Just one small correction: turn that nine upside down, so that the number 6 comes out! Well, thank you... Everything else is reprints of some of my books. Am I planning a new title? You know what, when you have a title, then the future book is already in your little finger. And to have a title, you must have an idea. To get an idea, you have to have a desire. I only have the latter for now. Since all previous books were popular manuals for pilots (with some literary flair here and there), I wish that something that I would brazenly call a "real" book would not be a flight textbook, but fiction, whatever you mean by that. But it's a long way from the writer of interesting manuals to a candidate for the NIN and Nobel Prize! The desire is there, the idea is shyly peeking out, so I hope that where the fire smolders, something will also smoke. Once in the future.
- Your radio show "Zaire", reached an impressive number 722 (August 16, 2014). What are your plans? Do you have any surprises in store?
At one time, I came up with the idea of entering each new decade with a new radio show. "Ventilator 202" crept through the eighties, the nineties were marked by "Modulation", and in the new millennium I was sure that the ZAIR show (which is an acronym for "Law of Action and Reaction") would end with the year 2010. It happened that it did not end. That year was pretty dramatic in my pilot life, but I wouldn't offer that as an excuse. Somehow I think that the inertness that comes with age and the lack of will to change without immediate need is more to blame. So I'm still in the same suit, and I'm only changing my ties!
- I'm sure that for your impressive career, there was significant preparation - mental, physical... How much did nutrition play a part in that?
I never thought deeply about nutrition - until, together with the baptismal certificate, the time came for that too. In any case, nature designed me so that the kilograms do not stick to me, which is really a gift from heaven! And even if they stick, it's not worth it, I will never eat more than is necessary to satisfy my hunger. To the horror of those around me, I stretch out at the table for a long time and slowly, so I only get to the main course when everyone around me has already finished the dessert!
- What are the most important factors/foods in a healthy diet, in your opinion?
From factors - moderation, from food - everything. There are no forbidden foods, there is only your self-control. Don't go to extremes and have a pathological tendency to only eat your favorite food, be it vegan or carne. Enjoy everything that is offered to you, but little by little, occasionally and carefully.
- In your opinion, does ecological production have a future?
Unfortunately no. There are more and more people, the planet is getting smaller. The richest take the biggest and most beautiful part of the cake. The rest of the world is condemned to the industrial production of food and its synthetic enrichment with necessary vitamin and mineral ingredients. The richest will seize natural provisions for themselves and be convinced that they will live two hundred years. The rest of us will evolve into mutants grateful for the genetically modified synthetics offered to us - and live just as long! What it means? It means that man, unlike dinosaurs, has adapted to everything. As if we are descendants of insects, not ancient mammals...
- Finally, what is your favorite dish/recipe of home cooking?
Mmm, eye candy! The most serious. And when it's fried on finely chopped pepper and onion... And then, when you transfer it all to a plate, instead of salt, you add cayenne pepper on top. Top! I would have it for breakfast every morning, but I'm not crazy - after a week I'd be bored forever, and it would be a sin to let it!
- What is your favorite dish/recipe in a restaurant?
I feel good whenever I see the inscription "Fruits of the sea" on the list of appetizers. It is, somehow, the best solution when you have a "yellow minute" and you don't know what to do. With seafood, there is no chance that you will lose weight and remain hungry, and there is even less chance that you will overeat! Check on this site - and everything will be clear to you.
Short biography:
Zoran Modli was born in 1948 in Zemun, where he graduated. He was the first radio DJ at Radio 202 and Studio B. He hosted the program at the first disco in Zemun called "Disco 202". He was the first to host a radio program while piloting an airplane. He graduated from the Civil Traffic Pilot School and was a flight instructor. He piloted a Boeing 727 at JAT, and was later employed by a private airline. He is married and is the father of Josip and Ana.
New Belgrade, August 2014.
Interview led by: Miodrag Ilić
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