The people who'll put you in the air
No call centres, no sales reps who've never flown. Every name on this page has logged real hours — teaching, racing, or building the school from the ground up.
Public figure and television personality, best known for his work as a wildlife conservationist and Animal Planet USA presenter, Eugene focused his passion for flying into what became the Nirvana Africa entity. Sadly, on 23 May 2026, Eugene was involved in a fatal paramotor accident that ripped a hole in the hearts of the global paramotor community. He will be sorely missed.
Jean-Pierre is the owner and chief instructor of Nirvana Aero Academy, focusing on developing recreational, cross-country and aerial wildlife pilots. He was trained as a student and instructor by Eugene Cussons and has taken over the initiatives Eugene started, to continue his legacy in his memory. In 2024, after only being qualified several months, he and a friend flew from Johannesburg to Cape Town. This proved his love for XC flying and the capabilities of paramotoring.
No shortcuts. Every pilot who comes through our doors leaves capable, competent and confident, with a real licence, real hours logged and real experience in the air.
