PPL training /SFH in South Africa

[FlyingForFun]

Always sad to see schools closing down, although FTC have had so much bad press that I might go so far as to cautiously say that it's for the best. I use the word "cautiously" because I have no first-hand experience of them.

FB - a very interesting point about the CAA. One thing which is very important to realise is that the CAA are not responsible for checking that a school operate in a consumer-friendly or financially-viable way.

The only thing the CAA are responsible for is ensuring that the training the school provides meets their requirements and fulfills the requirements of the syllabus. Just because a school can do this, it doesn't mean that this school won't screw its students over financially, or have such old, badly maintained aircraft that they are always going tech, or double-book slots with instructors, or any one of a number of other things that some schools do. And that applies to every single school - I'm certainly not directing these comments at FTC.

That's why it is so important to check a school out thoroughly before commiting large amounts of time/money, and even then you should hand over as little money in advance as possible.

FFF
----------------

[Flypuppy]

There was talk following the SFT debacle that the CAA were looking into setting up some sort of ATOL type system that would bail out people who had been stung by sinking FTOs.

Nothing further has been heard about this since. I guess the transient constiuency of trainee pilots and the relatively small numbers of people affected don't make for a political hot potato.

[Cardinal Puff]

Always good for cheap hour building, though. The Septics are getting a little antsy about handing out visas to trainee pilots so maybe SA a good call for the non structured stuff.

[BillieBob]

The only thing the CAA are responsible for is ensuring that the training the school provides meets their requirements

OK, so what about the requirement in Appendix 1a to JAR-FCL 1.055, paragraph 9 that reads "A FTO shall satisfy the Authority that sufficient funding is available to conduct training to the approved standards (see IEM No. 2 to JAR–FCL 1.055)."?

The quoted IEM lays down, in some detail, the procedure that the CAA should go through to ensure the financial viability of the organisations that they approve. Instead, the UK CAA just requires a signature on a scruffy piece of paper, which ensures nothing.

it doesn't mean that this school won't .......... have such old, badly maintained aircraft that they are always going tech

The same Appendix to JAR-FCL 1.055 requires that "An adequate fleet of training aeroplanes appropriate to the courses of training shall be provided" and CAP 682 contains more detail as to what is 'adequate'. Don't fool yourself, if FTOs are using cr@ppy aeroplanes, it's because the CAA allows it - each and every airframe in use at an approved FTO has been inspected and approved for use.

It's about time that the UK CAA started doing its job properly, especially in view of the obscene amount of money it screws out of you and me.

[Flying Boat]

No SA schools on the UK CAA schools list

They are no longer JAR approved from the UK

I checked the latest UK CAA list of JAR approved Training Establishments.

Not one is in South Africa.

FTC & GFT (Global Flight Training) are not there, did the UK CAA listen?

This does not mean they have not conned a European state into coughing up approval.

Now is the time for some good schools to try, CFA (Midrand) or 43.
I understand they are good, not personnal experience, however, CFA were always helpful towards FTC overseas students.

Good Luck to all the ex FTC instructors and desk staff.

FB

[onehunga]

Interestingly enough NFA and Progress are advertising in the May 04 edition of Flyer. Not a dickey bird about JAA approvals in their adverts though which is good. Suppose for the unitiated they have to work out for themselves that you will need to convert the SA licences to JAA world etc.

[Snapshot]

1:500,000 of Cape Town

Hi all,
does anyone know where I can purchase in the UK a
1:500,000 topo map of the Cape Town area that INCLUDES areas up to at least Gansbaai?
Shall also post in African Aviation however, there
could be UK people that might know this?
Regards
Snapshot

[VP8]

Try these guys...usually got those sort!!

STANFORDS

By E-mail: [email protected]
By Telephone: [phone]
By Fax: [phone]

By Post:
Customer Services Department
Stanfords
12-14 Long Acre
London
WC2E 9LP
United Kingdom

VEEPS

[Snapshot]

VP8
Thanks very much
I shall give them a call
Snaps

[Mark 1]

Jeppesen do a VFR chart:
http://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/commerc...ns6a_fact.html

The UK agents may not stock it, but you can order direct from Jeppesen/Bottlang in Germay.

[Snapshot]

They dont have the laminated version I was wanting to get!
Anyone else got any ideas?
Thanks again VP8 for the information
Snaps

Mark1
thanks, shall take a look
Snappers

[Seat1APlease]

http://www.stelfly.co.za

is a flying club at Stellenbosch just up the road from Cape Town.

They should be able to tell you if what you want is available, perhaps by mail order, their e-mail address is on the website.

[Snapshot]

Seat1A please
thank you, shall try Stellenbosch FC, wanted to drop in there
last time but was pushed for time and needed to get to
one of the farms to pick up some of my fav of the red stuff!

Thanks for everyone who has offered advice,
I think I have enough to get what I need now

Kick the tyres n light the fires!
Snaps

[Foggles]

Cape Chart

Hi

How soon do you want one ? I have a 250 which just has Gaansbaaii on the east side ! - laminated - BUT its a 2000
issue ? any good ? otherwise I'm going down there on Sunday
and I'll try and get myself a 2004 issue ! back end of the month !
Foggles

[NorthSouth]

their e-mail address is on the website

Don't bother, they won't reply.

LAMINATED SA charts!? Jeez you're a bit 21st century. Just use an illegible pencil and tear your chart to shreds like every other good SA pilot.

[Snapshot]

Foggles, thanks for the offer however im off there
next week though wont get into CPT until late
and then straight to Hermanus so wont get to get
anywhere near any shops enroute!

Does anyone know if there are any pilot supplies
in CPT airport? (and they open late?) haha

Think shall have to order one from Lanseria and
get a mate to forward it!
Thanks to all
totsiens
Snaps

[Foggles]

chart

Snapshot

I'm off to Cptn on Sunday till 22nd then also down to Hermanus
with Mrs Foggles and the Fogglets for a bit of whale watching !
Looking for a nice place to stay with sea views -so if you know
anywhere please PM me !
would love to be able to fly over the coast to view the whales !
not too sure about the old 'nobby clarks' though ! although
I may persuade mrs F to go down in the shark cage !

There are a couple of Pilots's gear suppliers at Capetown
round the side there by Thundercity and the NAC heli school
office -however I'm yet to find a south african shop that stays
open 'late' Q everyone seems to go hoem at 4 pm latest and Fridayafternoon doesnt exist in the Captonian office , they're already flyin',drinkin' or or the beach by 2pm !
Somehow they have it right wnd we have it wrong !

Foggle s

[six-sixty]

Flying in SA?

Hi all

I am thinking of taking my good lady to South Africa for our honeymoon in Jan, and Cape Town has been recommended as a good destination for all sorts of reasons. I was wondering if anyone could recommend any good flying clubs/organisations/fields in the region from which to do a bit of self fly-hire sightseeing?

Also, any advice on specific licence validation issues in relation to the above.

Any help appreciated, feel free to PM me.

regards, SS

[flutter by]

There are a few flying schools in cape town

Flying schools at Cape Town Int.

43 Airschool (sorry no contact number but u can try their website for the Port Alfred school and ask the contact number for Cape Twon
http://www.43airschool.com/

Good Hope Flying Club
www.ghfc.org.za

Cape Aero Club
www.capeaeroclub.co.za

Then Ouside of Cape Twon Int.

Stellenbosch flying club
www.stelfly.co.za

Cape Town Flight Training Centre
www.cape-town-flying.co.za


Of course contact details and all info on websites or by contacting them
If u would like more info regarding the Cape Town area and some more tips feel free to visit this website www.avcom.co.za and ask some questions there as well

Hope this helps

[six-sixty]

Wow, world of info! Thanks very much flutter.

SS