Pilot training is a routine activity, but it costs. Thanks to the generosity of Helicharter we now have a freshly re-qualified pilot ready for disaster response if we are called upon.
Free pilot training
Helicopters are important to the needy.
Belgian, Wim van der Burg-Zeethoven has had free training from our big donor, Ken Wills at Helicharter. A kind donor made a helicopter available and paid for the training pilot and for Wim’s accommodation too.
Wim was at Manston during November and December of 2008. He made his first flight on 27 November. Then he passed his in-flight check on 12 December. So he got a great Christmas present – free training!
Wim can now fly the Jet Ranger (our preferred helicopter) . And he was also checked out on the Augusta Westland 109. He has an aptitude for twin-engined helicopters too. This is great! We get more flexibility in aid response.
Thank you
We send a big thank you to Helicharter. And we send a bigger one to Ken Wills for suggesting the idea. Good luck Wim!
An update
By July 2013, Wim had accumulated 2000 flying hours. He was also an experienced Helicopter Ambulance pilot. And he was a key part of our network. That’s because he helped us to grow a helicopter air ambulance capability for disasters in Southern Africa.
We hope he may be sponsored by his employers to help our disaster response in Africa. That’s if we need him!
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