African Excellence Awards 2019

MEAMARKETS / 2019 African Business Excellence Awards 11 , Wagtail Aviation Gyrocopter Manufacturer of the Year 2019 & Award for Excellence for Gyrocopter Pilot Training Services 2019 SouthAfrican basedWagtail Aviation is a supplier of specialist Gyrocopters that have been developed for a harsh, high altitude commercial environments, which demand the unprecedented reliability and hassle-free operation that the company excels in. As part of our showcase of a selection of this year’s deserving African Excellence Awards winners we profile the firmand explore the range of solutions and services it has to offer. Drawing on the expertise of its Founders, Wagtail Aviation was established to develop a gyrocopter that can be used in the harsh African conditions. The Founders saw a gap in the market for experts in Gyrocopter manufacturing who could create solutions to meet the region’s exact needs. After all, there are vast distances to travel and equipment needs to be transported to less developed areas. Many of the Gyrocopters available on the market today are mostly from European design and was designed and developed for the recreational market. Unique to the market, Wagtail Aviation’s Gyroplane was specifically designed for the commercial, working environment and the system can be tailored to any individual client and designed to satisfy his requirement. The firm’s flagship offering, the Trojan, has been used commercially for surveillance, patrolling and anti-poaching activities amongst others. Alongside the provision of the planes, the firm can also render all additional services required. These include pilot or maintenance training, maintenance, Gyrocopter supply, financing and more. Thanks to its vast service offering, Wagtail Aviation is currently engaged with clients across the world. The firm is in discussion with a range of potential partners, including the United Nations. For this organisation Wagtail Aviation would be able to provide relief work after the flooding in Mozambique, medical supply movement in Rwanda, patrolling and surveillance against stock theft in South Sudan, patrolling roads in the regions during busy holiday seasons, as well as assisting with life guarding operations on the beaches. The Gyrocopter is a very versatile and cost-effective platform to use, as the craft can slot into many operations and can render a support service not utilised before. As such, the firm’s solutions have many uses and can be offered to a variety of clients. In today’s market, Wagtail Aviation is able to use its vast industry knowledge to help the burgeoning African Gyrocopter market. Africa is currently being exposed to the advantages of Aviation and air travel. Only 4% of the people in Africa has flown before. National Civil Aviation Regulatory Bodies are being engaged and are exposed to the aviation rules and technologies. As such, the firm’s solutions are offering a very unique opportunity for a wide range of clients to experience and use air operations. Seeking to ensure that it remains ahead of the developments within the fast-paced aviation market, Wagtail Aviation works closely with a range of the African Air Service Providers. These Operators are assisting and guiding the firm and also informing them of possible regulatory changes in the different countries. This allows the firm’s expert team to be pre-emptive and optimise their operations for when the changes are implemented. Seeking to build upon its current success, Wagtail Aviation is in discussions with a world leader in the Unmanned Air Vehicle market and is planning to use the Gyroplane as an expendable platform that has a useable payload for emergency relief work. The gyrocopter has an enhanced endurance and can also transport a critical load for relief or re-supply work, as such the firm is excited to be moving into this new market and is looking forward to the May19199 opportunities this growth will afford. The firm is also in discussion with the World Air Sports Federation as well as with the Guinness World Record Organisation to understand how it can bring Gyroplane World Records to Africa. Ultimately, all these projects will pave the way for invigorating developments in the African Gyrocopter market and Wagtail Aviation is excited to be at the forefront of the industry’s growth. Company: Wagtail Aviation Name: Braam Hechter Email: [email protected] Phone: +2784 697 7703 Web Address: www.wagtail.co.za The Trojan – Wagtail’s signature gyrocopter. © Wagtail Aviation