Harnessing the power of GA
Protecting elephants and rhinos in Africa through aviation
Poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and loss of habitat are the primary causes. Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP) is an organization formed to protect these iconic animals in Africa by addressing the principal cause of their distress—poverty, poaching, and location.
“Our approach to protecting these endangered creatures is highly differentiated in that we include programs to alleviate poverty in rural communities adjacent to threatened elephant and rhino populations in rural areas where ERP has been acquiring and leasing land,” said Quintin Smith, ERP director. ERP aims to own or manage 2.4 million acres in Namibia and large areas of land in South Africa.
What do elephants and rhinos have to do with general aviation? With partnerships with Redbird Flight Simulators, CubCrafters, and project lead Thomas B. Haines, former editor in chief of AOPA media, in February ERP launched a fundraising campaign to develop the ERP Air Wing. The Air Wing will operate in Namibia, where ERP controls significant tracts of conservation land. The aircraft will be used to conduct anti-poaching patrols and herd monitoring operations. The Air Wing will be based on a fleet of new NXCub aircraft.
The first of the planned fleet of Cubs, built by Yakima, Washington-based CubCrafters, is scheduled for delivery in July at EAA AirVenture. A second Cub is due soon thereafter and both will be partially dismantled, containerized, and shipped to Namibia, where they will help in combating wildlife crime.
“These rugged backcountry aircraft will play a vital role in safeguarding threatened megafauna on ERP’s rapidly expanding conservation areas in Namibia,” said Haines. “Many pilots care deeply about conservation, quickly grasp the significance of this initiative, and understand the potential inherent in deploying light aircraft to safeguard elephants and rhinos in the wild.”
With plans for a fleet of four aircraft equipped with wildlife tracking and infrared cameras, ERP will fly over Namibia, which is approximately the size of Texas and Louisiana.
“The ERP Air Wing will play an important role in Namibia, helping ERP improve the prognosis for these magnificent creatures, and once flying operations are underway, we plan to invite U.S. pilots to participate in missions on a volunteer basis,” said Smith. “They would add greater purpose to their flying, while enjoying spectacular game viewing opportunities and enjoying the African bush.”
“General aviation is an invaluable resource for amplifying the impacts of conservational and philanthropic objectives,” said Redbird’s Charlie Gregoire. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to help ERP harness the power of GA to accomplish its goals in Namibia.” 
erp.ngo
Public benefit flying will be a prominent theme at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, as the event spotlights the aircraft, crews, and organizations that supply aid to victims of natural disasters, war, famine, and other emergencies around the world. The seventy-second edition of the EAA fly-in will be held July 21 through 27 at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh.
“When disaster strikes, aviation is often the first mode of transportation to the areas that have been hit the hardest,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs. “The crews that embark on these missions are dedicated to helping others when they need it the most. We welcome them to Oshkosh as we highlight the humanitarian side of aviation.”
The last DC–8 flying in the United States, owned by the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, will be at Boeing Plaza as the anchor of the display. The airplane has carried nearly 9 million pounds of cargo across 200 missions since 2016. As part of the display, Samaritan’s Purse will also bring a field hospital and a water purification system used in developing nations.
Located near the DC–8 will be a selection of GA aircraft also involved in public benefit flying. These aircraft will represent a variety of pilot groups, including Elephants, Rhinos & People (ERP). The Air Care Alliance (ACA) is also scheduled to be on hand. ACA is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 50 volunteer pilot groups. These groups provide an array of services including disaster/emergency relief, animal transport, and transporting ambulatory patients.
