An Aerial View of Kruger National Park
To live and work in the Kruger National Park would be a dream come true for most people. A dream that for chief helicopter pilot Grant Knight is reality.
Grant will be the first to admit he is ‘living the dream’. As a game capture student Grant set his mind on becoming one of Kruger’s helicopter pilots, and with a lot of hard work and determination he turned that dream into his day job!
For the past 11 years Grant has flown the length and breadth of all South Africa’s 22 National Parks. Working with some of the best scientists, conservationists and game capture teams in Africa, witnessing incredible animal interactions and flying over wilderness landscapes very few have ever seen.
What makes a Game Capture Pilot different to any other kind of pilot?
For most pilots, their whole focus will be only on the technical aspect of flying, but when you are a game capture pilot often this can’t be your sole focus. The key to a successful capture is the interaction between the helicopter and animal you are working with. You need to make sure that no undue stress is placed upon the animal, while ensuring it is positioned perfectly for the capture team on the ground. Observing and understanding the behaviour of the animals you are working with is crucial in game capture and this is often at the forefront of your mind when you are flying.
What does it take to be a game capture pilot?
One of the common misconceptions is that you need to be a dare devil or risk taker, because the type of flying we do is inherently dangerous. Actually it is quite the opposite. You need to be naturally calm and have a level headed approach. Often, unpredictable and stressful situations present themselves and you need to deal with them by making calculated and quick decisions. Things can go wrong quickly in game capture so I would say a level-headed mentality is the key.
What does being a pilot for SANParks involve?
Most people think being a SANParks pilot means we spend all our time doing captures. Game captures are a fundamental part of what we do, but they aren’t all we do. Being based in Kruger means we are often the first to respond if there is a medical emergency or environmental emergency like a flood or bush fire. Environmental monitoring is another aspect of the job, so in situations like the crocodile die-off we played a central role removing dead crocodiles to stop the spread of the disease. More recently we have been deeply involved with the war against rhino poaching.
What’s the best bit about your job?
The flying!
I am incredibly privileged to be working for SANParks. I get to fly in the best equipment available, in some of the most spectacular wilderness areas in Africa. What more can you ask for? The other fantastic aspect of my job is that no two days are the same. Nothing is guaranteed and plans can change at the drop of a hat. Some days I will wake up with no specific itinerary and that night I will look back at a day where I’ve airlifted rhino’s and responded to a medical emergency. Nothing is guaranteed apart from the fact you will never have the same day twice! My job allows me to raise my children in one of the best National Parks in the world as part of a community where everyone trusts and looks out for each other.
…and the worst bit?
For me it is definitely the admin! People probably don’t realise that helicopters are made up of thousands of parts and each bit has its own lifespan and servicing requirements. If something as simple as a screw goes over its expiry date and you fly, your flight becomes illegal and the consequences aren’t worth considering. So we need to monitor every aspect of each helicopter and ensure every part of every chopper is serviced, safe and legal.
Have you had any hair-raising experiences?
Yes, a few!
I guess the most documented was in 2006. The biggest danger in aviation is birds and working in a National Park certainly increases the risk of a bird strike! I was flying near the Mozambican border, with a full chopper when we were struck by a Bateleur Eagle. It hit the windshield, came through where my feet were and out of the sliding door into the tail rotor. We had to do an emergency landing and the helicopter was so badly damaged that it couldn’t be flown. It was one of those moments where you realise just how fragile life is and how lucky you are to be alive and to be doing something you love.
It only lasts for 15 minutes at max, but for those 15 minutes there is nothing in the world that can compare to that feeling.
Has there been a stand out moment?
There is no single moment, but there is this feeling that is like no other.
When you take off early in the morning, just before sunrise and the air is crisp without any wind, you don’t feel like you’re flying, it’s as if you are floating. When the sun comes up and the mist still hugs the ground, you can see the steamy breath of the animals you fly over and the big lead wood trees are still silhouetted. That is when flying in Kruger is truly magical. It only lasts for 15 minutes at max, but for those 15 minutes there is nothing in the world that can compare to that feeling.
Do you have a favourite National Park?
Kruger is obviously very special, as it is where I live and where my family and friends are. However, all the National Parks are amazing. Each has its own unique charm. The open plains and massive mountains of the Karoo National Park are like no other. In Addo you can go from the black rhinos of the dry Karoo desert to the elephant herds of the lush forested mountains, before flying over the huge sand dunes and across the ocean where pods of dolphin swim underneath you. While the totally unique terrain of Mapungubwe with its intricate river systems is such a special environment that always intrigues me. So I guess the answer is no, I don’t have a favourite it would be impossible to choose.
Is there anything left for you to see in Kruger?
Every day you see something new, a novel behaviour, a unique landscape or a new environment. I guess I am incredibly lucky that in doing this job I am constantly exposed to new things. However the one thing I would love to see and haven’t yet is a pangolin.
Do you have a favourite getaway in the Kruger?
Shingwedzi for me has always been a very special place. It is so different from the Southern section of the park, where we live. The ecosystem in the North of the park is totally different, resulting in a totally different game viewing experience. It’s a lot quieter too, far fewer tourists venture to that part of Kruger.
If you weren’t a SANParks Pilot what would you do?
That’s hard!
As far as I am concerned I have the best job in the world. If I wasn’t doing that, I don’t think I could do anything related as nothing would compare. So it would have to be something completely different. I love my Yamaha XT 350 motorbike, so I guess opening a beach-side coffee shop that serviced custom motorbikes would be the only possible alternative!
What makes the Lowveld so special?
The weather is a key factor, but I think for me it is the surroundings. The patchwork of different habitats and environments that make up the Lowveld are what make it unique, interesting and, for me, the best place to live in South Africa.