Patty Wagstaff's Annual KWS Pilot Training Is A Success
The Lindbergh Foundation announced Thursday that the donation
of a factory-new 180HP A1C Husky bush plane to the Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS) and a five-day training program of the KWS air patrol
has been successfully completed.
On January 29, 2010, a ceremony to formally donate the Husky ...
whose special registration numbers 5Y-KWL reflect "Kenya Wildlife
Lindbergh" ... was held at the KWS Wilson Hangar in Nairobi, Kenya.
During his remarks, Lindbergh Foundation Chairman, President and
CEO Larry Williams gave several reasons that the Lindbergh
Foundation is committed to supporting training and programs for the
Kenya Wildlife Service. "KWS use of aviation technology to preserve
wildlife is such a wonderful example of the Lindbergh Foundation's
mission," noted Williams. "After seeing the parks and
wildlife first hand I can now better understand their challenges."
Williams commented on the selfless work of these native pilots,
adding, "I believe the Lindberghs would be proud that the
Foundation carrying their name is supporting the work of the Kenya
Wildlife Service to help spot and discourage poaching of Kenya's
precious wildlife resource. Thinking about Lindbergh's famous
quote, "I would rather have birds than airplanes," Williams added,
"I believe what we're doing with KWS is proving to the world the
Lindbergh's philosophy that we can have-and enjoy-both."
In addition to handing over the keys to the new Husky, the
Lindbergh Foundation sponsored "Basic Flight Review" and
emergency-maneuver training course for the KWS air patrol pilots.
Led by internationally acclaimed air show performer Patty Wagstaff,
warbird collector and pilot Dr. Richard Sugden, and certified
airframe/powerplant mechanic and instructor Steve Phillips of Teton
Aviation, the five day training covered precision flying skills,
safety recovery, and crosswind and short field landings. Because
KWS Airwing pilots frequently fly only 100 feet off the ground at a
maximum of about 80 miles per hour, the pilot has very little time
to react in an emergency. As Wagstaff pointed out, "Pilot
response must be correct, reflexive and immediate, which requires
intense and regular training." In addition to the pilot training
expenses, the Lindbergh Foundation funded fuel for the aircraft,
lodging, meals and some transportation expenses for the Husky.
Husky File Photo
The Lindbergh Foundation is grateful to Patty Wagstaff for her
continued willingness to train KWS pilots to safely protect
wildlife from poachers; to Dr. Rich Sugden and his wife, Sue, for
their generous donation to the Lindbergh Foundation to purchase the
Husky; to GUT-Works, LLC, for sponsoring the export paperwork,
disassembly, containerizing, and shipping of the Husky; and to
Forward Vision Systems for donating an EVS-100 infrared camera and
display that will allow pilots to "see" at night, or in
low-visibility operations.
In addition to those mentioned herein, The Lindbergh Foundation
is grateful to these additional sponsors for their kind support in
getting this donated Husky to its new home in Kenya:
- Northwest Husky Sales. Driggs ID (KDIJ)
- Teton Aviation Center, Driggs, ID (KDIJ)
- American Equipment Sales, Lawrence, KS
- Albert Humbert
- Laufer Group International
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