Captain’s Log- 10 April 2018- Bush Pilots HQ interview.

Fast Introduction

This Bush Pilot interview is a couple of man who has seen essentially the most distant locations in Africa. From Zimbabwe for 22 years to Congo for 10. Jon Cadd has seen all of it. Jon Cadd is one other instance of a westerner falling in love with Africa and by no means leaving.

He has flown primarily for Mission Aviation Fellowship in Africa, the Pacific and the States. Right here’s what you actually wish to know, the 5 questions we ask all our Bush Pilots.

What could be your primary piece of recommendation for an aspiring bush pilot beginning out within the trade?

Benefit from the course of.  You by no means cease studying and it’s all good.  Know your limitations and allow them to develop with nice coaching.

Rookies train rookies methods to be rookies.

There are methods that may preserve you alive. I’m regularly grateful for very good coaching in MAF and personal a protracted accident free profession to that and the grace of God.  Slowing down provides you an opportunity to make the perfect choice.  80/20.  80 miles an hour and 20 of flaps for tight conditions in terrain.

What was the route you took to turning into the bush pilot you’re at present?

I grew up within the Philippines and watched nice bush pilots from Mission Aviation Fellowship at work and needed to be like them.  All my focus was on that. MAF necessities are harsh and I’m not essentially the most technical particular person on the planet, however in case you are actually dedicated to one thing, there’s often a option to make it occur.  I did loads of flying jobs from Flying parachute jumpers to site visitors watch over Portland and flew in Micronesia earlier than lastly attending to fly with MAF.

What would you say is the toughest factor about being a bush pilot?

A number of change.  Should you like the identical factor on a regular basis get a unique job.  Mixed challenges of the flying surroundings of dangerous airstrips, uncommon obstructions, terrain, climate variations and even politics and violence all conspire to distract you out of your mission and a secure end result. However that can be the good enjoyable of it.  I’ve by no means been bored on this job.

How did you handle to get the job you’re presently at?

After a couple of years in Micronesia flying Evangel, Dorniers and Beech 18’s and some extra on the Rogue River in Oregon flying Tremendous Cub and 206’s, I utilized with MAF.  I when via their lengthy analysis and orientation course of, (which has saved my bacon extra instances than I can say).  For the final  35 years I’ve been flying Africa. Based mostly in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Uganda, Congo.   It has been a blast.

What has been your primary reminiscence about flying?

To compress a lifetime right into a single reminiscence is a tough factor.  A Rush of sturdy photographs flash in without delay so it’s extra of a tapestry reminiscence.  Bullets hitting the aspect of the aircraft hitting one among my passengers, elephants stepping in entrance of the aircraft as I used to be taking off, flying right into a wall of climate and driving the up and downdrafts of a storm for an hour earlier than coming out within the middle of it with the vacation spot little island proper in the course of the storm. A pod filled with goats or turkeys or a physique.  Gasoline gauge knocking on empty and no thought the place some land is over the Pacific with no such factor as GPS.  The enjoyment of bringing the meals that’s retaining refugee children alive or a medic flight that saves someones life.  Sorry, can’t select one.