This is a message from SAA Head office, looks like the cadet programme is re-starting. What school did they use last time?
SAA announces the re-launching of SAA’s Cadet Pilot Training Scheme aptly branded The SAA Flight Academy. This transformation-programme was temporarily put on hold as a cost-saving measure during the restructuring of the company. It is now revamped to take into account the changes that have occurred in best-practice training methodology since its inception in 1994.
What is so different about the new Cadet Pilot Scheme? In the past, the scheme was structured to train the Cadet Pilots up to commercial license with multi-engine and instrument-rating standard; before placing them on an internship with commuter airlines to gain experience. The new approach includes training the Cadets to operate in a multi-crew environment.
SAA has an extensive long-range route structure which requires In-flight Relief Pilots who do not actually fly the aircraft below 20 000 feet. That in turn provides an excellent opportunity to allow the Cadets to enter the airline at an early stage and gain operational experience within SAA while being further developed “on the job” for their possible promotion to Co-Pilot on the short range fleets.
A detailed three-month evaluation programme is currently underway which will study all the leading Flight Training establishments both in South Africa and abroad to find the best fit for SAA’s requirements.
Who can apply? SAA invites previously disadvantaged candidates who are South African citizens to forward their curriculum vitae for evaluation, possible employment or bursaries to attain the qualifications which will make them eligible for future employment. The minimum requirement for possible employment is a commercial license with multi-engine and instrument-rating endorsements, while only those who have at least completed their private pilots license (PPL) will be eligible for financial assistance. Employees of SAA, who have gone solo but not yet acquired a PPL, may apply for financial assistance towards further flight training.
Edit: Didn't some cadets last time bribe someone in the CAA for a view of the papers beforehand?
Latest rumour is that SAA is not considering any local flight schools. They want to bring in a foreign school to set up their operation somewhere close to Johannesburg.
That's interesting. I thought they would just use 43rd or SAFTA.
Capetonian: Yeh, guys of the paler variety aren't welcome Can't say I'm surprised though, it was the same last time, and the same with the Cabin Crew skills program.
From what I understand is that the candidate will use whatever flight school they want. Provided you are black and have a PPL, SAA will pay for the rest of your Com!
Looks like they are now prepared to do litterally anything to get PDI's in. That BLACK PDI, white females are not welcome either. No more going through SAX or Link on the way up- looks like 200 hours and then a P3 spot.
Deskjocky: That's interesting, I would have thought they would want to select to make sure it's suitable. Straight to P3 wow, I remember that they used to have to do the 2 years with SAX, then to SAA as P3. What's the typical experience for a white P3? It's around the 2500-3000 hour mark isn't it? I heard at one stage about a year ago, during a recruitment drive PDIs were fast tracked to P2 on the 738/319 while whites started as P3 on the 340, is there any truth in that?
Pray do tell how, seventeen years after democratic elections propelled the ANC into a position of autocratic, continual and now almost despotic power, there can be any such thing as a candidate for a cadetship who might remotely be previously disadvantaged?
We've been a "democratic" country for so long that its now the whites that are previously (and presently) disadvantaged. 200 hour P3's means they'll only see the right seat as a P2 after 10 or so years after joining... Or the requirements will have to be lowered to accomodate the affirmatives...
Thanks for all the responses! Interesting to hear that the average experience for a P3 is around the 5000hr mark.
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With the General Elections held in 1994, we have to assume that a coming-of-age 17 year-old born in 1994 is now no longer considered to be "previously disadvantaged" - the eligible Cadet pilot has lived a life of privilege and advantage since 1994 and as such, for how much longer (legally anyway) can governmental organisations, or organisations of government interest, of which SAA/SAL is one, continue to utilise such terminology? The question be asked.
Location: UK (and now rarely behind enemy lines but still enjoying foreign climes.)
Posts: 1,267
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Let us stop this nonsense of advantaged, disadvantaged or otherwise categorised by the intangibles. Recruit for skill and forge ahead a future of our country that satisfies and serves its population entire...
I was trying to work out whether you were writing that with tongue firmly in cheek, but I think you might be serious? Forget it, it isn't going to happen, ever! Africa is all about revenge, nepotism, corruption and sheer bloody incompetence ..... leading ultimately to collapse. They are not interested in forging ahead with progress and prosperity ..... unless that progress and prosperity is siphoning the coffers for their own personal ends.
Realise all this now, and you won't be disappointed with the outcome later.
Can't say I'm surprised though, it was the same last time, and the same with the Cabin Crew skills program.
wow, I remember that they used to have to do the 2 years with SAX, then to SAA as P3. What's the typical experience for a white P3? It's around the 2500-3000 hour mark isn't it? I heard at one stage about a year ago, during a recruitment drive PDIs were fast tracked to P2 on the 738/319 while whites started as P3 on the 340, is there any truth in that?
