Elsa Klarich has been volunteering, flying or consulting for Wings of Hope for over 10 years. Many know her from her days bush flying for our partner, Flying Medical Service, in Tanzania. These days, she’s consulting for organizations, including Wings of Hope, on how to use uncrewed aircraft systems (aka drones) — especially how to use them for humanitarian purposes. We asked Elsa to update us on her work and life in Tanzania.
Tell me about your work with drones? What are you doing as a consultant — and what are you doing for Wings of Hope?
I studied uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) in university with the idea that someday drones would be the future of aviation. I have worked as an instructor, maintainer and operator of drones. I have my part 107 license with the FAA, and I fly recreationally with my DJI drone just for fun.
I currently work in drone regulations policy and safety culture development as a consultant. My work focuses on traditional aviation as well as uncrewed aviation but I’m really trying to focus on the drone side of things.
When I started consulting for Wings of Hope, it was to develop a UAS drone program plan and toolkit for partners who were interested in utilizing drones as a supplemental tool to traditional aircraft. For example, when they are unable to use their traditional aircraft due to weather, maintenance, airstrips and, of course, things such as the pandemic, utilizing drones helps protect people and helps protect our partners who are serving indigenous people groups in their respective countries.
Regulation and policy work is the biggest issue at the moment. The technology is there but one of the biggest issues for global humanitarian work — and any kind of drone work that’s more commercial — is the development of regulations.
What value do drones have in humanitarian work?
Drones are incredibly important within the humanitarian space. They’re being used as a tool that can really help mitigate risk — they protect people. They’re being used in disaster relief mitigation work, medical cargo delivery, mapping, surveying, urban hospital deliveries, the list goes on. Drones are a tool that can provide a better balance and safer method of blood supply, antivenom and vaccine deliveries without having to use traditional crewed aircraft. It’s a tool that can be used as a supplement to our traditional bush flying program.
Do you miss your work as a bush pilot? How does your current work compare?
I make sure to stay current as a bush pilot. I’ve had some amazing instructors at Wings of Hope who have donated time to help me stay current. I will always be a bush pilot at heart. I do miss it, but I don’t really compare the work because I still utilize all of it. I’m hopeful by continuing my work with the amazing team at Wings of Hope that I’ll be able to continue sharing my experiences, my life, my expertise in crewed aviation and uncrewed aviation and program development work to be able to make the world a better place. I try to encompass it all for sure — and I really enjoy it.
What’s your living situation in Tanzania?
I’ve lived in Tanzania for over 10 years now. My living situation here is pretty simple. I rent a small cottage just outside of Arusha. I have a basic backup solar system because my power goes off just about every day.
I have my two dogs with me and a little rescue cat. My dogs are basically my protection. They help keep me safe here. They warn me when anyone’s coming and let me know if there’s anything amiss. My day-to-day life is I work mostly remote. I also volunteer here in Tanzania doing nourishment and malnourishment programs for little ones in the community.
Arusha’s inland. I actually have a little plot on the beach on the Indian Ocean, and when I’m there I live in huts. I built a banda, which is a traditional, thatched-roof hut, and it’s on stilts. I’m in between a mangrove and the ocean, so if water comes up from the mangrove, I’m on stilts. It’s really fun. I’m able to bring my dogs down to the beach, and we have a lot of freedom. It’s a beautiful remote area. Most people wouldn’t be able to get there on their own.
I have a Land Cruiser 4-wheel drive that gets me in and out of really remote rocky, muddy places. I’m very blessed to have a very good car that has a snorkel, a winch, all of the bush capabilities that I need living here. The road that I have in Arusha is terrible. It gets washed away every rainy season. If I had a small car, I’d get stuck every day.
On the coast, it’s very remote. When I go there, I do have internet, amazingly enough, and I’m able to work at the beach. So it’s not always just a holiday. No electricity, composting toilet, very off grid. I have some solar panels and some backup batteries to help me charge my computer and my phone. I have solar lights that I put up. I do have running water from a well but the water’s pretty brackish, so I bring water from town and use a filtration system to be able to drink water.
My life is camping. No part of it is glamorous.
It’s beautiful and always an adventure.