DNR appoints new chief pilot

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DNR appoints new chief pilot
(Released October 20, 2011)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has named Al Buchert as the Enforcement Division’s chief pilot and promoted him to the rank of captain.

With more than 26 years’ experience, Buchert began his DNR career as a field conservation officer in Faribault and Blue Earth counties.

“I am pleased to have someone with Capt. Buchert’s credentials assume the role as chief pilot,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement director. “His experience as an expert aviator and field conservation officer will serve the DNR well.”

Buchert developed his pilot skills in his spare time.

“My wife, family, and co-workers were very supportive,” he said. “I became a stand-by pilot for DNR and started building a unique skill set with purposeful instruction from many seasoned aviators and natural resource professionals.”

The training and experience led to a promotional opportunity in Grand Rapids. After four years as a supervisor, a chance to fly full-time as a regional enforcement pilot came up.

“The past 15 years as a pilot in northeast Minnesota taught me a great deal about people, flying, and the relationships between divisions and dedicated DNR professionals with common goals,” Buchert said.

Buchert praised retired former conservation officer/chief pilots, Jerry Engelbrecht and Dick Stoltman, and retired conservation officer/pilot Dave Carpenter for their mentorship early in his DNR aviation career.

“They would pick me up at my local airport and we would check for all sorts of things from the air and it was apparent that the airplane provided a field officer with a huge amount of information in a short amount of time – things observed from the air that you’d probably never notice from the ground,” Buchert said.

Buchert also discovered that the pilots were engaged in fish, wildlife, and environmental projects that were equally interesting: that their service was a force multiplier in protecting and preserving Minnesota’s abundant natural resources.

“I saw aviation as an opportunity to provide a unique and valuable service to the state while fulfilling a childhood dream of being both a game warden and a pilot,” Buchert said.

As chief pilot, Buchert oversees four full-time and two part-time pilots based from airports in Bemidji, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, and New Ulm. Presently the aircrews are performing a bevy of missions ranging from assisting conservation officers with the detection and apprehension of fish and game violators, to flying waterfowl counts, to stocking trout into remote lakes, to tracking animals utilizing radio telemetry techniques for fish and game managers. Species are counted and their locations are recorded for many different DNR research projects. Buchert noted that data recording and distribution have become an integral responsibility for DNR pilots.

Among Buchert’s goals as chief pilot are integrating the latest techniques and technologies with aircraft that meets customers’ needs, as well as ensuring that safety, training, personnel, and equipment commitments stay a step ahead of the demand.

These goals are particularly challenging given that DNR’s aviation section is short one full-time pilot.

“At current staffing levels, flight obligations are exceeding program capabilities,” Buchert said.

“Also, our aging air fleet is in need of recapitalization if we are to stay relevant in protecting and preserving the resource.” The aviation section consists of six planes and three helicopters.

Buchert said it’s an exciting time for DNR and the aviation program.

“There’s a great pilot cadre to work with and a tangible attitude from DNR leadership to make some progressive things happen within the unit, the Division of Enforcement, and the greater DNR.

“It’s an exciting and challenging time to affect some improvements to the aviation program, and I’m humbled and appreciative that a talented, enthusiastic, and creative team wants to meet those challenges with me,” Buchert said.

Buchert replaces Mike Trenholm who retired as conservation officer/chief pilot in June.