Pilot earns his stripes
FLYING COLOURS: SANPARKS CAPTAIN COMPLETES GAME CAPTURE RATING ‘Every flight I do is to make a difference in nature conservation, in people’s lives.’
Captain David “Blackhawk” Simelane offi became the country’s fi rst black game capture-rated pilot last week in an industry which has some of the most dangerous flying conditions in the world, often flying below tree level in order to herd game into their chutes for loading and transport.
Simelane completed his game capture rating, an endorsement on his pilot licence, with flying colours. He has been a helicopter pilot for 16 years, and has flown as far as Madagascar and South Sudan.
He began working for the South African National Parks (SANParks) this year, and was also the first black helicopter pilot to work under the SANParks Air Services in the Kruger National Park.
A game capture rating is a complex achievement, with helicopter pilots having to simultaneously take the environment, animals, crew and managing the helicopter into account.
“Working as a pilot for SANParks is a calling, it is tough but I am in a blessed position to say that this is not a job for me, it’s a passion. Couple that with the fact that I am doing it in the same park I fi rst fell in love with wildlife 25 years ago,” Simelane said.
“I have a passion for flying and now I get to combine that with my love for wildlife and nature. I wake up in the morning knowing that every fl ight I do is to make a difference in nature conservation and in people’s lives.”
SANParks chief executive Fundisile Mketeni said: “We are proud of Simelane and his achievement. He is an inspiration to many young black aspiring pilots.
“As a world, society has started to realise how important our natural and cultural heritage is, and with a passionate person like Simelane at SANParks, we can continue to conserve and leave future generations with the natural beauty and heritage of South Africa.”