Meet Our Team
Our team’s experience and expertise have been recognized by various national and international groups for saving the lives of many locals and tourists…
Capt. Matteo Porrera belongs to Italy and has over 2650 helicopter flying hours logged till now. He has experience of flying in Italy and Nepal.
Capt. Reto Müller is from Switzerland and has over 1910 helicopter flying hours logged till now. He has an experience of Cargo Sling and SAR operations in Switzerland, India and Nepal. Moreover, he has fixed-wing flying experience of 7924 hours in Switzerland.
Capt. Stefen Smuts belongs to South Africa and has recently joined Simrik Air as a helicopter pilot. He has in excess of 2637 flight hours logged till now.
Capt. Bimal Sharma Sapkota has an experience of flying in the US and operations experience in Nepal and Qatar. He has over 3600 + helicopter flying hours logged till date and operates high altitude flights.
Capt. Rameshwar Thapa is Chairman of Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. and a well-known Helicopter Pilot with over 10,000 plus hrs. logged to his entire flying career of more than 20 years in various helicopter types. He is also the first MI-17 commander for Commercial Flight and the first Instructor Pilot for the MI-17 in Nepal. He is the Pilot in command in BELL 407GXP and has flying experiences in AS 350B3e (H125) and BK-117.
Capt. Thapa is an innovative personality who is an expert in pioneering projects and works wholeheartedly for the development of Nepalese tourism industry through helicopter operation; simultaneously emphasizing in raising safety standards in an air operation.
He is currently President of Airlines Operator’s Association of Nepal (AOAN) and also the President of Helicopter Society of Nepal formed under his leadership in order to address a serious issue of improving safety and quality of overall helicopter operations.
Besides Simrik Air, he is also the Executive Chairman and Principal Owner of Annapurna Media Network (Annapurna Post, Radio Annapurna and AP1 TV).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Pilot (Airlines Transport Pilot License, Helicopter License. No. 015(H)
Commercial Pilot License from USSR
Airport transport Pilot License from the USA
Instructor Pilot License from the USA
PILOT IN COMMAND IN AIRCRAFT TYPES:
BELL 407GXP
Line Pilot – AS-350B3 and BK-117B2
Instructor Pilot – MI-17 Helicopter
Nepal’s first MI-17 commander for Commercial Flight, Civil Aviation
CESSNA-152 (174), BELL 47, MI-2, MI-8 P, MI-8 T, MI-17-IV (MTV/AMT), AS-350B3, BK-117B2
AWARDS:
“Daivik Prakop Padak” Awarded in 2001 twice by the Government of Nepal for active participation in releasing lake water from Tsho-Rolpa at 15,000 ft. that threatened riverside settlement in lower altitudes and involvement in life-saving helicopter rescue operations during natural disasters as well as Helicopter rescue during Avalanche in GOKYO near the Everest Base Camp based on the evaluation by professional international expedition guides, trekkers and Nepali trekkers.
“Nepal Police Award” Awarded in 2002 by the Prime Minister for contribution in peacebuilding in the nation for risky involvement in Rescue and Relief in challenging and turbulent time in Nepal.
“Rastra Seva Padak” Awarded in 2002 by the Prime Minister for the Defense Ministry of the Government of Nepal.
“Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Fourth)” Decorated with the honour in 2003 by former Monarch and Head of State for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal since 7 years for the peacekeeping mission
“Best Pilot of the Year” Awarded in 2003 by Face to Face program of Nepal Journalism Society.
“National Personality Award” Awarded in 2003 by the Chairman of the Public Affairs Commission for National Development and Honor Center of Nepal
“Men of the Year” Awarded in 2004 by American Biographical Institute, Inc. (ABI) for individual accomplishment and contribution to the society.
“ Prakhayat Trishaktipatta (Fourth) – Decorated with the honour in 2005 by Former Monarch and Head of State for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal for 9 years for the peacekeeping mission
“Bravery Award” Awarded in 2010 by the Prime Minister for Nepal Police, Home Ministry, and The Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal for 14 years of the peacekeeping mission in the nation.
“Public Service Award (Fourth)” Awarded in 2011 by The President for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal & Nepalese people for 15 years in social welfare and peacekeeping mission.
Bravery Award – 2013 Awarded by the Chairman of Interim Election Council (Head of the Government) from Nepal Armed Police Force for rescue services and service to the government of Nepal.
Capt. Hareram Thapa is among our experienced high altitude pilots. He completed his CPL training in Philippines in both Rotary and Fixed Wing Aircraft. He has 2600+ Hours of flying hours logged till date in difficult terrains of Nepal. He underwent flight training with Capt. Siddartha J. Gurung on AS 350 B3e aircraft and has successfully achieved Pilot in Command (PIC) clearance in Rotorcraft.
He joined Simrik Air in March 2011.
Capt. Rajendra Duwal has been with Simrik Air since June 2011 and is also among our skilled high altitude pilots with 2400+ hours of flying experience in challenging terrains of Nepal. He completed his CPL training in Philippines. He underwent flight training with Capt. Siddartha J. Gurung on AS 350 B3e aircraft and has successfully achieved Pilot in Command (PIC) clearance in Rotorcraft.
Capt. Surendra Paudel is one of the well-known and experienced pilots in Simrik Air. He served as a Major in Nepal Army flying for more than 10 years. He became a commercial pilot in 2010 and since then, has been flying with Simrik Air. His skill and experience are recognized by various national and international groups for saving many lives of trekkers and climbers in the Himalayas during September 2012 avalanche in Mt. Manaslu and during Everest Avalanche in April 2014. He is also a trained sling pilot and regularly flies into missions to support the developmental projects in the remote areas of Nepal.
He has received Long Line (Human Cargo Sling and External Cargo Sling level 2) training at Air Zermatt, Switzerland, Commercial Helicopter Pilot FAA from LongHorn Helicopters, USA.
His experience includes:
Chief Pilot and Training Chief at Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd.
Instructor Pilot
7000+ hours of flying (AS 350 B Series, BK-117, MI-17, ALH, Lama, Allouette, Lancer, Schweizer)
High Altitude flying
Heli-ski operation
Long line operations (Trained for external cargo sling and Human Cargo Sling)
Medivac & SAR operation
Aerial photography, filming, and media experience
Scenic tours and operations throughout the Himalayan region of Nepal
Capt. Siddartha J. Gurung of Simrik Air is one of the best helicopter pilots of Nepal a well-known name in the Nepalese aviation sector. With more than 20 years’ experience in flying in the mountainous terrain, he has in excess of 10,000 helicopter flying hours. He operates all modes of aircraft operations (VIP Operations, Rescue Missions, Passenger and Cargo Transportation to Remote Areas) as well as support missions in developing remote areas of Nepal with skill and professionalism.
His experience and expertise have been recognized by various national and international groups for saving the lives of many locals and tourists in the Himalayas.
Capt. Siddartha has experience in the following fields:
Executive Director (Accountable Manager) at Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal
Instructor Pilot
Extensive experience in Medical evacuations and SAR Missions
Aerial Filming / Photography
Long Line (Human Cargo Sling & External Cargo Sling)
Holds Certificate as a trained pilot from Air Zermatt for Human Cargo Sling Rescue Operations.
Survey Missions (Nepal & Bhutan)
Er. Ganesh Khadka is the holder of CAAN B 1.3 and has been working with Simrik Air as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Er. Nishan Sedhain has been working as CATA Licensed Engineer at Simrik Air for the last 3 years. He is responsible for releasing the helicopter.
Er. Dipak Maskey is working as Quality Manager at Simrik Air from 2017. He maintains the Quality-Related Documentation activities and monitors the improvement of Quality Management System. He controls Quality in the Engineering and Operations department. He has more than 17 years of experience.
Lt. Col. Bishnu Basnyat (Retd.) has 45 Years of experience in the field of Helicopter Maintenance. He has been awarded with various governmental and non-governmental awards. He is also a Civil Aviation Authority approved Instructor. He has been acknowledged by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to conduct investigation of air crashes as a senior member.
Er. Om K. Shrestha is a CAAN B2 License holder and has been serving the industry for the past 32 years. He is a CAAN approved ground instructor and is working as a Planning Manager at Simrik Air.
Er. Prachanda K. Malla has been serving the aviation industry for the last 22 years. He is the holder of CAAN B 1.3 and has been working with Simrik Air as a Continuing Airworthiness Manager and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Er. Manit Acharya is Aircraft engineer and working in Simrik Air as Sr. Manager and Quality Auditor from 2013. He performs the scheduled audit in Simrik Air 145 and Simrik Air M organization and controls the documents required to maintain the quality system.
Chhiring is a specialist in technical climbing and an avid mountaineer. At the age of 21, Chhiring summitted Mt. Everest as part of an expedition guide.
Now, Chhiring has established himself as a certified Rescue Specialist in Nepal. In 2012, Chhiring with 3 other Mountain guides were sent to Zermatt, Switzerland by Simrik Air to participate in a special training to be a Helicopter Rescue Specialist. Air Zermatt, a prominent Rescue Service provider in Switzerland was their new home during their month long training. There, along with other participants he completed the training to be a long line Rescue Specialist and became certified Rescue Technician.
In 2014 alone, Chhiring has successfully flown in numerous lifesaving missions with Capt. Siddhartha J. Gurung and Capt. Jason Laing. 5 of those missions were then using long line above 18,000 ft. where Simrik Air was successful in saving many lives in the mountains.
Tshering is a leading Long Line Helicopter Rescue Specialist at Simrik Air. He was one of the three mountain guides to be sent to Zermatt, Switzerland in 2012 by Simrik Air to receive a special Helicopter Rescue Specialist training and has become a certified Rescue Technician. He has been a part of various long line Rescue Missions and has successfully saved many lives.
Moreover, he is also an IFMGA/NNMGA Certified Mountain guide. He has climbed Mt. Everest, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Cho-Oyu, Mt. Ama Dablam and many other mountains as a guide.
Capt. Rameshwar Thapa is Chairman of Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. and a well-known Helicopter Pilot with over 10,000 plus hrs. logged to his entire flying career of more than 20 years in various helicopter types. He is also the first MI-17 commander for Commercial Flight and the first Instructor Pilot for the MI-17 in Nepal. He is the Pilot in command in BELL 407GXP and has flying experiences in AS 350B3e (H125) and BK-117.
Capt. Thapa is an innovative personality who is an expert in pioneering projects and works wholeheartedly for the development of Nepalese tourism industry through helicopter operation; simultaneously emphasizing in raising safety standards in an air operation.
He is currently President of Airlines Operator’s Association of Nepal (AOAN) and also the President of Helicopter Society of Nepal formed under his leadership in order to address a serious issue of improving safety and quality of overall helicopter operations.
Besides Simrik Air, he is also the Executive Chairman and Principal Owner of Annapurna Media Network (Annapurna Post, Radio Annapurna and AP1 TV).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Pilot (Airlines Transport Pilot License, Helicopter License. No. 015(H)
Commercial Pilot License from USSR
Airport transport Pilot License from the USA
Instructor Pilot License from the USA
PILOT IN COMMAND IN AIRCRAFT TYPES:
BELL 407GXP
Line Pilot – AS-350B3 and BK-117B2
Instructor Pilot – MI-17 Helicopter
Nepal’s first MI-17 commander for Commercial Flight, Civil Aviation
CESSNA-152 (174), BELL 47, MI-2, MI-8 P, MI-8 T, MI-17-IV (MTV/AMT), AS-350B3, BK-117B2
AWARDS:
“Daivik Prakop Padak” Awarded in 2001 twice by the Government of Nepal for active participation in releasing lake water from Tsho-Rolpa at 15,000 ft. that threatened riverside settlement in lower altitudes and involvement in life-saving helicopter rescue operations during natural disasters as well as Helicopter rescue during Avalanche in GOKYO near the Everest Base Camp based on the evaluation by professional international expedition guides, trekkers and Nepali trekkers.
“Nepal Police Award” Awarded in 2002 by the Prime Minister for contribution in peacebuilding in the nation for risky involvement in Rescue and Relief in challenging and turbulent time in Nepal.
“Rastra Seva Padak” Awarded in 2002 by the Prime Minister for the Defense Ministry of the Government of Nepal.
“Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (Fourth)” Decorated with the honour in 2003 by former Monarch and Head of State for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal since 7 years for the peacekeeping mission
“Best Pilot of the Year” Awarded in 2003 by Face to Face program of Nepal Journalism Society.
“National Personality Award” Awarded in 2003 by the Chairman of the Public Affairs Commission for National Development and Honor Center of Nepal
“Men of the Year” Awarded in 2004 by American Biographical Institute, Inc. (ABI) for individual accomplishment and contribution to the society.
“ Prakhayat Trishaktipatta (Fourth) – Decorated with the honour in 2005 by Former Monarch and Head of State for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal for 9 years for the peacekeeping mission
“Bravery Award” Awarded in 2010 by the Prime Minister for Nepal Police, Home Ministry, and The Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal for 14 years of the peacekeeping mission in the nation.
“Public Service Award (Fourth)” Awarded in 2011 by The President for the Government of Nepal for services provided to Government of Nepal & Nepalese people for 15 years in social welfare and peacekeeping mission.
Bravery Award – 2013 Awarded by the Chairman of Interim Election Council (Head of the Government) from Nepal Armed Police Force for rescue services and service to the government of Nepal.
Lt. Col. Bishnu Basnyat (Retd.) has 45 Years of experience in the field of Helicopter Maintenance. He has been awarded with various governmental and non-governmental awards. He is also a Civil Aviation Authority approved Instructor. He has been acknowledged by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to conduct investigation of air crashes as a senior member.
Capt. Siddartha J. Gurung of Simrik Air is one of the best helicopter pilots of Nepal a well-known name in the Nepalese aviation sector. With more than 20 years’ experience in flying in the mountainous terrain, he has in excess of 10,000 helicopter flying hours. He operates all modes of aircraft operations (VIP Operations, Rescue Missions, Passenger and Cargo Transportation to Remote Areas) as well as support missions in developing remote areas of Nepal with skill and professionalism.
His experience and expertise have been recognized by various national and international groups for saving the lives of many locals and tourists in the Himalayas.
Capt. Siddartha has experience in the following fields:
Executive Director (Accountable Manager) at Simrik Air Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal
Instructor Pilot
Extensive experience in Medical evacuations and SAR Missions
Aerial Filming / Photography
Long Line (Human Cargo Sling & External Cargo Sling)
Holds Certificate as a trained pilot from Air Zermatt for Human Cargo Sling Rescue Operations.
Survey Missions (Nepal & Bhutan)