Westair joins conservation fight

Text Nina van Schalkwyk | Photo by NCE

Photo (from left to right): Sonja Oosthuysen of Welwitschia Insurance Brokers, Mr Wolfgang Grellmann of Westair, Chris Brown of NCE, Charles Loots, Chairperson of the NCE Executive Committee, and Henri van Schalkwyk, Director of Westair.

C onservation efforts in Namibia just got a major boost with an agreement between  Westair Aviation and the Namibia Chamber of Environment (NCE). Westair is giving the NCE and its members the free use of a plane.

The four-seater Cessna C182 can be used for all manner of conservation activities, including monitoring, protection and research. When the aircraft is not being used for conservation work, it will be hired out by Westair on commercial terms. Any of the NCE’s members can make use of the plane, and only need to cover fuel and excess costs.

Westair covers the maintenance of the aircraft and Welwitschia Insurance Brokers and Specialised Risk Management sponsored the insurance.

All income generated from the commercial use will go into a dedicated NCE account to pay for large maintenance work on the aircraft, such as an engine overhaul or replacement.

The aircraft is available for conservation, monitoring, research and wildlife protection work. The cost of use is fuel, consumables, landing fees and excess insurance, to be covered by the member that booked it. NCE members can book the aircraft by sending an email to Henriette at admin@n-c-e.org two weeks prior to the flight.

If NCE members do not have a suitable pilot for your flying, Westair will help find an experienced pilot who will volunteer his or her time to fly, as a contribution to conservation. However, their costs, such as meals and accommodation must be taken care of by the member.

Bookings will be made on a first-come-first-served basis. For any further enquiries, please contact Henriette (admin@n-c-e.org ) at NCE. Please do NOT direct enquiries to Westair.