School costs presented a challenge for Nic while he


obtained his PPL. Then, at HAI HELI-EXPO 2019 in Atlanta, he stumbled upon the $5,000 HAI Commercial Helicopter Pilot Rating Scholarship. “We went to HELI-EXPO in Atlanta for my 20th birth-


day present,” says Nic. “That’s where I signed up for my ROTOR magazine subscription and first saw the list of scholarships available from HAI.” Nic plans to use his scholarship to complete his last


100 flight hours for his commercial pilot rating and to build skills that will give him a leg up on other students competing for jobs in the field. “Winning the scholarship is a huge honor for me, and


I’m extremely grateful because I’m aware that very few students are given an opportunity like this one,” Nic says. “I took this opportunity to finally contribute to my own future, which a lot of people aren’t able to do until they’ve established themselves. Learning to fly helicop- ters is very expensive, and this scholarship will allow me to contribute toward my ratings for other aircraft, such as the Bell 206.” The Bell 206 is widely operated in South Africa, Nic notes, and he believes getting Bell ratings will make him


68 ROTOR 2020 Q4


more desirable to potential employers. Nic’s role models are the pilots at Fireblade Aviation,


which operates out of the main airport and VIP terminal in his hometown. Nic has flown with several pilots at Fireblade in both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Most are former air force pilots who have always supported Nic’s goal to become a pilot himself and have encouraged him to stay focused. “They’re my role models because they’re passionate,


experienced pilots who are happy to engage with me whenever I have a question or need advice,” says Nic. Fireblade’s pilots also provide Nic with hands-on learning experience, which is critical to helping him pass his exams, Nic says. Nic’s long-term career goal is to use his piloting skills to contribute to wildlife conservation and anti-poaching activities. “Growing up in Africa, I got to see so many types of wild animals,” Nic says. “I want to be able to look after them because we need them. The opportunity to help preserve their lives and habitats while also living my dream as a helicopter pilot is a job I’d embrace wholeheartedly.”


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