Foud this on the Africa forum, it should help those thinking of going, make up their minds:
neilfraser
Instead of being 'just another number' I could order a Personal Title and help support PPRuNe
posted 22nd October 2003 19:20
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FTC BUY OUT BY ALPINE AVIATION
JUST FOR THE RECORD, I MANAGED TO GET HOLD OF A COPY OF THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE FROM JONATHAN ARTHUR - WHO, I BELIEVE IS THE NEW MD OF ALPINE AND OF THE OLD FTC....... LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE REALLY LOOKING UP DOWN IN AFRICA. I DID MY JAR PPL (A) THERE AND CANNOT PRAISE THEM HIGHLY ENOUGH. BEEN THROUGH BAD TIMES BUT IT REALLY DOES LOOK LIKE THINGS ARE ON THE UP WHICH IS GREAT NEWS FOR THE INSTRUCTORS WHO STUCK BY THEM THROUGH BAD TIMES. COMPLETE CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT APPEARS TO BE ON THE CARDS. WILL BE INTERESTING TO FOLLOW THEIR PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE. MR. ARTHUR.....IF YOU READ THIS, KEEP US POSTED.
ALPINE AVIATION ACQUISITION OF FLIGHT TRAINING COLLEGE
On the 8th October 2003 an agreement was reached between the present owner of Flight
Training College (FTC) and Alpine Aviation (AA) in which AA has acquired 100% of FTC.
Who are Alpine Aviation? Alpine is a Company that runs a fleet of helicopters which
include Eurocopter S-330 Puma's, Bell 407's, Bell 206 Jet Rangers, Robinson R44's
including a "News-Copter" (Long Ranger) and Robinson R22's catering to the tourist and
executive markets, security transport and escorting of Bullion and High Value Commodities,
contract Charter and Vehicle Tracking (the largest account being Netstar). Alpine also
boasts an excellent Helicopter Training School with their Instructors being some of the
most experienced in South Africa who are dedicated to providing the highest levels of
training at all times. The most innovative and state of the art training aids available
in the country are employed at Alpine Helicopter Training School and the in-house training
manual has been developed over many years. It is a unique manual that enables students to
gain the maximum benefits possible during all stages of the training syllabus, together
with the computer based training and video footage of a
The intention of Alpine is therefore to turn FTC into one of the worlds most successful
JAR approved schools by ensuring that the fleet of aircraft are brought online as soon as
possible and that all the Administrative and Accounting systems are totally revamped to
the standards which Alpine Aviation expects from an institution such as FTC, with the
inclusion of establishing a Student Trust Account with a firm of Lawyers/Solicitors so
that students will be assured that their funds will be looked after safely. New premises
for the ground school are presently being re-located which will be purpose built for JAR
compliance. In time Instructors will be recruited from both South Africa and overseas
from the most experienced staff.
What does this mean for future students? Well the good news for students from around the
world is that the benefits of joining the two companies will be felt by including the JAR
fixed wing approval to include helicopter training as well.
There is the choice of 20 aircraft to choose from for both dual and solo time.
Students will have peace of mind by depositing funds into a Student Trust Account, which
will be administered by a firm of Attorneys/Solicitors.
The latest Training methods, Technology and Systems will become available.
On site maintenance with the College's own workshop on site, which will necessitate
minimum downtime, with the objective of doing a substantial amount of the work at night,
thus inconveniencing Students as little as possible.
New premises are being negotiated for both the ground and flight school, which are being
purpose built, in terms of JAR specifications.
Students will have a choice of accommodation ranging from the very basic to the more
luxurious, which will allow those Students doing short courses to bring their partners
with them should they wish and use the opportunity to visit other parts of South Africa by
Helicopter or by other modes of transport.
It is anticipated to add the Alpine name to the training college and as things progress we
will keep you informed on developments at the college on a regular basis.
J.G. ARTHUR
ALPINE AVIATION
DATE : 14/10/2003
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