BRANDON PAULS
LOUWLARDIA,SOUTH AFRICA
Summary
A highly skilled professional with expertise in risk assessment, mental resilience, and working under high-stress conditions. Possesses a strong understanding of international flight rules and aviation regulations compliance, complemented by proficiency in weather forecasting and flight planning. Committed to ensuring safety and efficiency in aviation operations, with a focus on continuous improvement and adherence to industry standards.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Pilot
African Parks Network
Chad and Republic of Congo
2025.01 - Current
- Supported large-scale wildlife collaring operations by assisting helicopter crews with aerial animal spotting, tracking, and coordination activities.
- Conducted aerial patrol flights to support park security objectives, monitoring protected areas for illegal activities including poaching and unauthorized incursions.
- Performed rhino monitoring missions, providing aerial surveillance and location reporting to support conservation and protection efforts.
- Carried out wildlife monitoring and game-counting operations, contributing accurate population data for conservation planning and ecosystem management.
- Executed routine observation and reconnaissance flights to enhance situational awareness across protected conservation areas.
- Collaborated closely with conservation, veterinary, and law-enforcement teams to support wildlife management and anti-poaching initiatives.
- Maintained high standards of flight safety while operating in remote environments and challenging African bush flying conditions.
- Completed an international ferry flight from South Africa to Chad in a Savannah, navigating multiple countries including Namibia, Angola, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Chad.
- Demonstrated proficiency in long-range flight planning, cross-border aviation procedures, international clearances, and remote-area operations during a multi-country ferry mission.
- Operated aircraft in support of conservation, wildlife protection, logistics, monitoring, and operational support missions across African Parks' protected areas.
- Head of aviation department duties include maintenance planning, fuel planning, renewals and monthly reports.
Junior Pilot
Desert Air
Windhoek
2024.03 - 2025.01
- Part 135 Air Operator
- Charter flying with guest from all around the world
- Scenic flights
- Flying the C210 and C206
- Operating in a bush flying environment
- Flying in and out of challenging gravel, paved and sand strips
Education
Commercial Pilots License -
Rustenburg Flying Club
RustenburgMatric - GR12 -
Schweizer Reneke High School
Schweizer-Reneke 2017.01 - 2019.12
Private Pilots License -
Eagle Flight Academy
Hartswater 2019.08 - 2020.06
Skills
- Risk assessment capability
- Mental resilience
- Working under high-stress
- International flight rules familiarity
- Aviation regulations compliance
- Weather forecasting understanding
- Flight planning
LANGUAGES
Afrikaans
Native
English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
Affiliations
- Fishing
- Travel
- Hikes
- Wildife
REFERENCES
- DJ, Lubbe, +27 825576429, Eagle Flight Academy
- Pierre, Bothma, +27 828211690, Rustenburg Flying Academy
- Carmela, Lattanzi, +27 834485820, Insimbi Legacy Projects
- Anja Parker, +264 818052377, Desert Air
- Braam de Vries, +27 836425497, African Parks Network
EXPERIENCE
TOTAL FLYING TIME - 978.1
TOTAL PIC TIME - 861.7
RATINGS ON AIRCRAFTS
- Cessna 210
- Cessna 206
- Cessna 182 RG
- Cessna 172
- Piper 28A
- Piper Arrow P28 R
- Bathawk X341
- Sling 2
- Savannah
FERRY PILOT
- Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Departure from Silver Creek Airfield RSA
- Leg 1 - Polokwane International Airport RSA
- Leg 2 - Prince Charles International Airport Zimbabwe
- Leg 3 - Chileka International Airport Malawi
- Leg 4 - Makokola International Airport Malawi
- Leg 5 - Kamuzu International Airport Malawi
- Leg 6 - Songwe International Airport Tanzania
- Leg 7 - Kigoma International Airport Tanzania
- Leg 8 - Goma International Airport DRC
- Leg 9 - Katale Airport DRC Virunga National Park
- Exploring Virunga National Park
- Total hours in 8 days - 35.4 hours
- ANTIPOACHING PILOT
- Insimbi Legacy Projects / Council of Contributors
- Antipoaching organisation mainly focused on rhinos
- Daily duties
- - morning and evening patrol flights
- - ground work
- - vehicle patrol at night
- - feeding of rhinos
Awac weekend certified Antipoaching Course completed
Timeline
Pilot
African Parks Network
2025.01 - Current
Junior Pilot
Desert Air
2024.03 - 2025.01
Private Pilots License -
Eagle Flight Academy
2019.08 - 2020.06
Matric - GR12 -
Schweizer Reneke High School
2017.01 - 2019.12
Commercial Pilots License -
Rustenburg Flying Club