Best Helicopter School in S.A

[heliroger]

Hi Folks,
I need information on the Best Helicopter School in S.A. Factors to be considered include weather,cost of training,ground school,living costs ,etc.
Many thanks in anticipation of your response


Heliroger

[krobar]

Saving R100 per hour on chopper rental should not really influence your choice of flying school, so don't just go for the cheapest.
Major factors are weather and availability of machines. Especially if you're planning on renting a place to stay. I'd say don't go to a school with only one R22.
This does all depend on you. The smaller schools do have a more personalized touch, and possibly will look after you better after you are finished. IE, employ you.
Here are some schools you can phone.
Henley, Rand Airport(JHB)
ATS, Grand Central(JHB)
Helibip, Wonderboom(Pretoria)
Westline, Tempe (Bloemfontein)

Sorry I don't have gen on the coastal schools.

[David J Wilson]

Hi there.

I am just about to start with my Helicopters License aswell. I live in Cape Town and have done extensive research on all the schools in SA. I have found that there is one school that stands out above the rest. 43 Air School in Port Alfred. They are the leaders in world pilot training! They have many aircraft, the weather isn't too bad, they're prices are competitive and they have accomodation on the airfield! You basically eat, sleep and live aviation! I have my CPL fixed wing and there is nothing better than being constantly involved with aviation. If you have any other questions... anything... let me know and I will be glad to answer them.

Cheers for now.

[heliroger]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for yor response.Can you please furnish me with the cost of PPL,CPL & IR(H) incusive of Accomodation at 43 Air School.

Cheers

[chileno 777]

Why dont you just call or send them an email?

Contact:Frik Schoombee or Steve Goodrick E-mail:[email protected] ([email protected]) Phone:+27 46 6242433

[tumbles28]

43 air school. Ha ha the best. Its like school. All you are is a number in a stupid little uniform. Good training but not the best in my view. They cater for the masses and thats just it. I watch the guys from 43 try flying into busy air space after being at 43 and they dont cope very well. I have flown from many airscools in Africa doing renals for people and such sort and my advice to anyone is to use a ATS at grand central.
There training inpressed me and many other flying scools send people here for there ground school.
Check them out.
later boys/girls

[Wilson CT]

Hey. I could also do with some info about 43. Thanks for your input and views. I am also looking for chopper training places. Although it wouldnt be worth my while to go up to Grand Central to do training as im living in CT. cheers for now.

[kennyd]

Has anyone trained at Starlite at Virginia Durban, although I don't fly with them (only fly fixed wing) the guys I have bumped into seem to be level headed and slightly more mature than some other schools I have come across. Website http://www.starliteaviation.co.za/

[Juvent]

Just my 2 cents worth.

Starlite has been doing the SAAF abinitiio training for the last 18 months. They are also training the Botswana Police pilots They have a number of very expierenced high time ex SAAF instructors that dont need ne hours, but have hobbels of information to part with.

Give them a try. Well worth it!
:ok:

[Wilson CT]

The botswana police force? Aren't they the lucky buggers who have just recieved a few new squirrels? :bored:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Salease at FAWB is pretty good. The Enstroms they use seem a lot better than R22/44, albeit somewhat agricultural IMO.

[birrddog]

Starlight is good. I have used them in Cape Town and like them a lot. I used to train with NAC in Cape Town but switched when Frank Peters-Hollenberg (CFI) moved to Starlight. I did not get my ppl from them but type ratings, renewals, etc. Heard their Durban operation is quite good, may be good for a career perspective as well.

NAC at Rand Airport in JNB is very good. Buz, if I remember, is top dog and a highly respected pilot/instructor recognized by bell and robinson in US.

Might want to try PE too. Great spot, cheaper than Cape Town and JNB to live, and a growing helicopter training industry with more and more choices. I know a few of the instructors there two and they are highly respected.

Alpine in Grand Central was ok, but the CFI could not fit into an R22 with his Ego attached without having to remove the door; barely enough space for the three (sic) of you in the (2 seater) aircraft. I think they may have something to do with starlight but not sure.

Weather wise Cape Town, PE and Joeys all have their quirks and seasons, question is do you like 60'000 CB's or 100kph winds :-) (and what are you going to do in your downtime - beach is always a nice idea).

Another factor is controlled airspace. Although arguably easier to learn in a less populated airport, however being around a busier airport will help burn in some invaluable lessons. You can learn to fly a helicopter anywhere, but the only way you get good on a radio is by using it...

If in doubt, spend two or three days in each city and interview the CFI's and instructors before you start, and get a feel for the place. It is an expensive (and possibly time consuming), endeavor to learn to fly helicopters, and this little investment will pay dividends - who wants to spend houndreds of hours (ground school and flying time for ppl, com, etc.) in a place you dont like or with someone who is more interested in showing you how great they are vs. teaching you to be the best pilot you can be. - We have all met these pilots.

SA has some great, laid back and knowledgeable CFI's. Make sure you get one of them and not the others.

[chileno 777]

What about APTRAC in P.E?

[Leftpedal]

A lot of the schools mentioned are full! I have heard of students being turned away by those honest enough to admit this, and also heard of students leaving after being repeatedly 'bumped' off pre-booked training flights. Have also heard that 43 Air School is quite a lot more expensive than most. Anyone care to post their rates? I'm suprised to hear that their students don't cope well with busy airspace though - the airspace around Port Alfred is at bursting point. My suggestions;

Ask the school how many training aircraft it has
Ask how many instructors they have
Ask to speak to existing students at the school & get their views
Don't pay a lot of cash up front