Featured Caravan Pilot: Jeciane with the Brazilian Air Force

Meet our Featured Caravan pilot Jeciane with the Brazilian Air Force. It is the largest Air Force in the Southern Hemisphere with 627 aircraft and 77,454 personnel.

Jeciane is an inspirational pilot! Below you will find her answers to some questions that we asked her. We know that she will inspire some current and future pilots!

Name: Jeciane
Age: 26 years old
From: Brazil 

Total Time: 300 hours

Company: Brazilian Air Force

Location: Belem, Para

Years flying Caravans: 1 year

What do you like most about flying the Caravan? 

The Caravan is the most comfortable airplane that I’ve ever flown. At first, taxiing was a little difficult, because the last airplane that I flew (EMB-110) had the “Stirring” command. But after I got used to it, I could see how maneuverable the Caravan was! Furthermore, it is a versatile airplane that carries 10 passengers (in the Brazilian Air Force we always fly Caravan with 2 pilots and 1 mechanic). 

Here in Belém, there isn’t the G1000 version, so we still do the romantic flying. Different from other Air Force airplanes, the Caravan can land almost on every runway in the north of the country. That allows us to reach isolated localities and help those in need. It is a gratifying mission!

What are your career goals?

At first I want to go back to the Air Force Academy, where I graduated, and contribute with flight instruction of the new cadets. Then, maybe I'll go back to Campo Grande, my hometown, and fly the C-105 Amazonas or I could try the Embraer KC-390. I’m not sure what to do next!

What is your advice for younger pilots?

I think that the most important thing is not to make one mistake that will screw up the flight. We all know to study hard and to compromise are the base of anything we want to do, so it is important not to forget it. 

At the academy, I have gone through a lot of challenges. If we did not reach the established marks in each flight, we could be expelled from the school. I think that helps me a lot not to despair after some mistake I did. Not to give up at the first yell of the instructor and try to stay calm and trust in my knowledge, because I knew I had studied really hard. Good luck to you all!

For more information about the Brazilian Air Force, check out their official site here http://www.fab.mil.br/index.php

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Textron Aviation Ships Grand Caravan EX to Mack Air

Textron Aviation ships first Grand Caravan EX to Botswana's Mack Air

As reported by Flight Global

Textron Aviation has shipped the first of 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EXs to Botswana charter and utility operator Mack Air. The single-engined turboprop is being ferry flown from the Caravan production plant in Independence, Kansas and should arrive at Mack Air's base in the northern town of Maun by the middle of December.

The aircraft is part of an order, placed in the third quarter of 2017, from Mauritian aircraft leasing company Tuareg Aviation. The remaining EXs are set to arrive in Maun by mid-2018 and will replace Mack Air’s ageing piston-powered fleet.

Mack Air will use the high-wing all-metal type to provide charter, cargo and logistics services between a network of independently owned bush safari lodges in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Plains regions of Botswana.

Mack Air currently operates a fleet of 22 propeller-driven aircraft including 10 single-engined turboprops – nine earlier iterations of the Grand Caravan and a single Quest Kodiak 100 – along with 12 piston-singles: eight GippsAero GA8 Airvans and a pair each of Cessna 206 Stationairs and 210 Centurions.

The Caravans will be supported by Textron Aviation’s South African partner Absolute Aviation from a new maintenance base in Maun. This facility will complement Absolute’s aircraft parts business, established in the town earlier in 2017.

Flight Fleets Analyzer records a global fleet of more than 2,200 Caravans. In the first nine months of 2017 Textron delivered 55 units – eight 208s and 47 EXs.

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