This turbine helicopter has helped Clive Langmead to help us. And we have taken another step towards better disaster response.
Turbine understanding!
Clive is a long time supporter of Wings Like Eagles. He also has hundreds of hours of flying experience. But it was all with piston-engine helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
Helicopters are important to the needy.
And our reconnaissance in 2008 showed that it is much easier to get turbine than piston fuel in Africa.
So Clive went to Wonderboom Airport near Pretoria. We have allies there. He did a conversion course onto the Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter.
This turbine helicopter type is one of the most common helicopters in Africa. As a result it has good spares support. It also has many engineers qualified to service it. Both of these are essential for disaster relief flying.
Bell Jet Rangers can be used for life saving by flying medical staff in to run clinics. Or they can fly injured people out of danger. And they can survey disaster zones so that (as we put it) the right aid gets to the right people. Jet Rangers or their slightly bigger brothers (Long Rangers) are frequently seen in disaster response. They are popular for disaster response in Africa.
The other helicopter often used in disasters in our region is the Squirrel. Here shown in Mercy Air colours. They are a big ally of ours too.
What’s the benefit?
So Clive’s turbine understanding of civil helicopters is another step in his utility to Wings’ ability to help people hit by disasters. He is already a highly experience employer of many types of military turbine helicopter. And he has also been a civil pilot for many years. Also he has trained many people in coordinating logistics movements by sea and air.
Clive can now give advice to ground crews and disaster coordinators. Advice on using this powerful type of helicopter. This advice improves safety. Also it frees more experienced pilots to do the life saving, aid delivery and surveys.
Big benefits all round!
Clive also helps us with flying at the Croft Farm Air Day. Why not check that out?
Why not help us?
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Or you might want to donate a little a month. Regular giving even of small sums is the most helpful. That allows us to plan. Also it allows us to accumulate funds so we can be quick.
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