PERSONAL PROFILE
John Bassi CEO/Chief Pilot of Bassair Aviation
John Bassi has dedicated most of his life to awareness and the
plight of wildlife in Africa. Initially his focus was more
ornithological in nature and apart from writing three papers on avian
research projects, he was involved deeply with museums, collecting and
preparing avian specimens and later, involved in combined efforts to
proclaim protected areas for various Red Data listed birds.
In 1985, as a flying instructor and while still flying ultralights,
John flew extensively over Namibia promoting the awareness and
preservation of the desert Rhino and desert Elephant. In 1986, he flew
the length of South Africa’s highest mountain range, the Drakensburg,
up to 15 000 ft, in order to promote vulture awareness and in 1987
flew from the Namibian border, around the South African coast, to the
Mozambique border, in an effort to promote marine conservation and
highlight the destruction to the coastline and estuaries.
Combining a passion for aviation and conservation, John specialized in
operating helicopters and has become one of the leading game capture
pilots and conservationists in the country. A pioneer in helicopter
capture and wildlife translocation techniques since South Africa’s
wildlife boom in the eighties, John has stood at the forefront of the
industry and has accumulated over ten thousand hours of flying
throughout Southern Africa.
Over the years John has operated various light helicopters including
the R22, R44, the H30, AS350, EC120 and the BH206 within South Africa,
Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, capturing all species of
large and small game whilst working closely with some of the most
renowned veterinarians and professional capture teams in the wildlife
industry.
John has incorporated his extensive knowledge and skill into providing
a unique helicopter platform for wildlife research projects, wildlife
capture and relocation, large scale anthrax vaccinating, aerial game
census, radio tracking, ecological survey, helicopter safaris,
conservation education and everything else imaginable with regards to
nature, wildlife and conservation.
John has written published articles on aviation, expeditions and
conservation and since February 2002, has been writing articles for
the monthly aviation magazine SAFlyer. His passion for wildlife is
displayed further in art, in the form of bronze sculpture as well as
painting.
We strive to promote, manage and enhance the efficiency of our
business, providing professional service and commitment to our
clients, wildlife conservation, and the aviation industry. John Bassi.
John Bassi's Journey into Aviation .pdf
What
exactly does it take to be a game pilot_.pdf
A
micro second is all it takes
.pdf
