Skubies Blog 2017

 April 2017

Unfortunately, this year has been a non-starter for Anne & myself, due to health issues with myself.  I have had to undergo regular treatment at hospital, which has made our normal summer deployment in Tanzania impossible.  Luckily, we have managed to bring a couple of extra pilots on board, Ferdi, our South African pilot, and Eddie, a Tanzanian pilot and local.  Whilst this does not give STEP full coverage, it is enough to maintain a presence in the sky, and to have an impact on poaching in Rungwa.  The aircraft remains on the South African register, hence allowing Ferdi to keep flying it, and Eddie, who has obtained his SA license also is able to fly it.

With the luxury of having two pilots, we started operations early this year.  This began in the wet season and the flying has been impacted somewhat by low cloud, sometimes Ferdi had to wait till the afternoon before the cloud lifted and he could get airborne.  However, this time of year, there are no problems with heat or high winds so generally safer to operate.  However, due to low cloud, there is the occasional need to divert from the planned airfield, so Ferdi had to keep on his toes.