David Simelane has been promoted to chief pilot, making him the first black chief pilot for SANParks Air Services.
“Simelane’s most recent promotion sees him moving from the rank of pilot to SANParks chief pilot and person responsible for operations as per the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations.
It comes as no surprise that Simelane, aka “The Black Hawk”, is progressing through the ranks as he is a skilled professional pilot with solid management and leadership skills with approachability and strength of character to boot,” said SANParks chief operating officer, Lize McCourt.
She said when Simelane arrived at the SANParks Airwing in Skukuza almost a year ago, he wasted no time forging a solid relationship with the Civil Aviation Authority – an endeavour that serves SANParks well in terms of aviation compliance.
McCourt said Air Services is part of the newly formed Area Integrity Management unit (AIM), which comprises air services, firearm management, special operations, environmental crime investigations, and environmental compliance.
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She said the main objective of creating the AIM unit was to establish and better coordinate safety and security within SANParks.
She said the objective is well underway, with AIM providing core functions such as logistical ranger support, amongst other crucial services within SANParks.
McCourt has noted that the unit played an integral role in establishing the command centre within Table Mountain National Parks.
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“We believe that the team will continue to excel with Simelane at the helm of Air Services.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Simelane will take SANParks Air Services to the next level and it is my sincere pleasure to see transformation in the airwing.
“Fly Black Hawk, fly,” said McCourt.
Simelane has been a helicopter pilot for 16 years and has flown all over the world including Madagascar and South Sudan.
