In this issue, we are introduced to Éder Navacerrada – pilot, mentor, husband and father, philosopher, and friend. At time of writing, he is en route from Spain to Chile, flying a single-engine turbine, VFR. 5500 nm in four to five days. He answers my questions from hotels in the evenings.
As I observe his lone aircraft blipping across the vast Atlantic ocean on Spidertracks, I am reminded of the deep night chapters of Wind, Sand and Stars, a sentiment Éder reflects when I press him about the hours spent alone in the cockpit. “It’s funny you mentioned de Saint-Exupéry and the emotions associated with flying. During the long hours, and from that magic place called Sky, I certainly have time to get deeper in my thoughts… closer to the cultures and characters that were down there once upon a time.”
The inspiration to fly came early from Éder’s father, a well-loved agricultural and firefighting pilot.
“I remember full seasons away, the whole family. There were always nice spots in the mountains, forests, and tiny villages – great memories that made me idealize the life of an aerial firefighter. And, of course, I remember the sound of the PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader radial engine. Those rhythmic explosions could produce a similar feeling to listening to good music!”
His father’s sudden passing when Éder was eight only strengthened his will to follow in those footsteps. “As I grew up, I came to an even deeper realization that he was a good person and one I could respect – not only because of our shared blood but as a human being. I admired his precision, his flying skills, and the positive impressions he left on those around him. He managed to plant the aviation seed not only in me but in many others, including my three brothers.”
“The loss of my father at such a young age was emotionally challenging but also a catalyst for me to carry forward my father’s legacy. It probably made me who I am today. ‘There is no one more unfortunate than the man whom adversity forgets, for he is not given the opportunity to prove himself.’ Didn’t Seneca say something like that?”
And so Éder’s appreciation of stoicism enters the conversation. He says living without philosophy is like flying without a Directional Gyro or a compass.
10 years later, Éder went off to university, hoping to earn enough money for flight training at the same time. That plan didn’t have the desired effect, so he pivoted, taking various jobs in the UK and Spain instead and working hard to improve his English.
“There was no integrated course or full ATPL in 18 months. It took me five full years to be qualified commercially.” But Eder is grateful to have faced the challenges head-on. “Self-funding my training and career progression made me appreciate it all more. As they say, the obstacle becomes the way (Marcus Aurelius).”
Éder obtained his Private Pilot License at 19 years of age and got straight into it, his first job at a British-run skydiving center in the south of Spain. “All I did for the first six years and 2500 hours was climb and descend and jump out of perfectly functioning aircraft – Elevator Operator, they call it!” Around this time, Eder also took up BASE jumping.
By age 25, Éder was Flight Operations Manager and Safety Manager of several skydive dropzones operating up to seven turbine aircraft, seasonal aerial firefighting, and ag flying. He soon became a full-time aerial firefighter specializing in safety and training, an instructor and examiner for the Air Tractor family and Fire Boss.
Between 2019 and 2022, Éder was the Chief Pilot and Chief Instructor for SAAB, a well-known Swedish operator. “That was a great experience for the whole family as we were there together. Workwise, we went from no aircraft to a self-run operation involving four Amphibious Scoopers and 10 pilots.”
He’s also spent quite a bit of time doing long and awkward ferry flights all over the world, crossing the South Atlantic more than 25 times. A typical year now involves a total of 500 flying hours, of which 250 would be ferry flying and 250 firefighting-related – suppression and training for two or three different organizations.
Éder’s career and personal successes are, without a doubt, a direct reflection of his internal state. Determined, driven, and deliberate, his core values quickly become apparent: family and freedom.
“Family is fundamental. It represents our most significant endeavor. Being able to spend quality time with my wife and the kids, being actively involved in their education, and supporting them through their challenges stands as a primary goal… when the foundational aspects are in place, such as health and family, navigating work and daily life becomes more manageable.”
“Our interpretation of freedom has more to do with bridging the gap between our core values, aspirations, and our everyday actions. Freedom is also the ability to choose and maintain control over our lives.”
Today, Éder wholeheartedly embodies this and more. He continues to fly seasonally and runs the family business, The Aerial Firefighting Mentor, and its associated blog, Doxastic Safety, a consulting service that aims to address the ongoing problem of accidents during fire seasons.
“I advocate for a balance between academic knowledge and practical experience in aviation safety and training. It tends to be one or the other. I rarely see pilots who are good at both – office desks and flying decks. The skillful pilots tend to run away from paperwork, and those good in the office can lose skills and perception due to not practicing enough and disengaging from the frontline.”
“I also would like to see sustainable growth in the industry. I am very interested in mitigating the consequences of poorly handled short-term growth. Marcus Aurelius said, ‘What does not benefit the hive is no benefit to the bee.’ We currently see operators rushing in their approaches to tackle the need for new and high-stakes contracts. Sadly, we witness avoidable crashes due to questionable management. That needs to stop, or it will affect us all sooner or later.”
The past 20 years in aviation have put the Navacerradas in the fortunate position to be selective about projects they will take on as a family. “There is no need to endorse ideas or behaviors not fully aligned with our core values. It either adds to our family growth and is parallel with my personal view of safety and operations (zero accidents policy through high performance and mastery of the aircraft), or we prefer to skip it. With so many new companies arising and the recent boom of the Fire Boss, we have respectfully declined some interesting projects that would not align 100% with our vital plan.”
In 2025, the flying fun continues. Having paused BASE jumping for now, Éder instead enjoys sharing the thrills of aerobatics with his son and is the president of a tailwheel aircraft association; the family part-owns a beautiful Savage Cub with 31-inch bush tires between a few friends.
I have no doubt that through his exceptional leadership, Éder will continue to inspire, educate, and help foster a safer, more sustainable industry environment for as long as he is able to take the stick – just as he aspires to. I think the Stoics would agree.
First published in Issue 38 Air Attack Magazine
Bronni Bowen 