Philip Helfer

About

BSc Mechanical Engineering. ICAO Airline Transport Pilots License. EASA A2 & Specific UAV Pilot. Flight Training UAS & Drones. Flight Operations Management. Flight Simulation. SolidWorks 3D CAD. Hydrofoil Design and Manufacture. Machine CAD Engineering Design.

Experience

• Remote Pilot at ANAVIA
  Feb 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  UAV Remote Pilot at ANAVIA AG, Switzerland, flying as Pilot in Command across operational missions plus test, demonstration, and validation activity. Responsible for mission planning, site surveys, risk assessments, and authorisation support, with flight test plan development, performance data analysis, and updates to operational and maintenance documentation. Also deliver Remote Pilot and Payload Operator training, including lesson plans and training materials.

• Head of UAV Flight Training & Regulation at A-techSYN
  Jan 2023 - Dec 2025 · 3 yrs

  Designed and delivered EASA compliant UAS training programmes covering theory, simulation and practical evaluation. Led UAV flight teams to deliver safe, efficient operations and regulatory compliance. Developed and implemented safety protocols, SOPs and compliant workflows. Authored, reviewed and submitted manuals, authorisations and technical documentation. Conducted internal audits and quality assurance checks across operational documentation. Led operational testing, validation and acceptance of flight control systems and ground control station interfaces. Planned and managed UAS flight operations aligned to mission objectives. Drove continuous improvement by identifying risk, improving processes and enhancing performance.

• CAD Engineer, Drafter, Watersports Instructor at Invaderfoil Hydrofoils , Windtown Lagoon Hotel , Hooked Kitesurfing
  Jan 2020 - Dec 2022 · 3 yrs

  Hydrofoil 3D design using SolidWorks, from conception to manufacture. Web design and content creation. Hydrofoil Watersports Instruction : Kite Foil-Surf, Prone Foil-Surf, Wing Foil-Surf

• Airline Pilot at South African Express Airways
  Jan 2008 - Nov 2019 · 11 yrs 11 mos

  Pilot In Command and First Officer of Multi Engine Jet and Turbo Prop aircraft. Command on CRJ (Apr 2012 - Nov 2019) Command on DHC-8 (Nov 2010 - Mar 2012) First Officer on DHC-8 (Jan 2008 - Nov 2010) Local and regional scheduled passenger flights.

• Operations Manager and Commercial Pilot at Jonsson Workwear, Great Lakes Cotton Company, Boundless Trade
  Jan 2004 - Dec 2007 · 4 yrs

  Pilot in command of Multi Engine aircraft. Organization and planning of all flight operations. Local and regional flights. Technical management of aircraft.