Fireblade Aviation aids cyclone-hit Mozambique

May 2019 – Fireblade Aviation were contracted by the Mozambican Government and UNICEF to assist in flood relief operations following the devastating Cyclone Idai.

Described as one of the most destructive tropical cyclones to affect Africa, Cyclone Idai impacted over 3 million people across Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

ZS-EOS (“EOS”), Fireblade’s AW139 helicopter, a top-tier, twin engine chopper that is intelligently designed and highly adaptable arrived in Beira on 13 March 2019 as one of only two helicopters active in the Sofala province in Beira.

The AW139 helicopter’s optimal features and efficiencies made it possible for 9 tonnes of much needed supplies to be delivered over 48 hours to villages along the Sofala province operating notwithstanding severe fuel shortages and communication blackouts.

The pilots who successfully conducted the 50 missions over 27 days included Fanie Jordaan, Marco van Coller, Xo Vundla, Johnny Laing assisted by well trained and experienced engineers Pero Visser and Dumi Mdluli, Albert Simpson.

A total of over 80 hours were flown delivering over 80 tonnes of relief equipment between 13 March 2019 and 08 April 2019.