Yup and I was one of them.
Politics aside and let the good bits be heard as well. 6 current fire fighting pilots ranging from 1500 hrs to 8000 hr experience did a BH05 conversion recently in anticipation of aircraft being brought into South Africa for Bambi Bucket fire fighting operations.
On arrival at the Cape facility the class room was cleaned and ready, flight manual per person, hand out notes, diagrams and quizzes were prepared. SACAA was in fact busy with an inspection of the facility and delayed the start of the course. Once finished - (and now now personal feelings aside, children)- the inspection passed we began a comprehensive technical course.
The day was alternated by classroom lessons and technical on the aircraft itself. Day 2 was half technical and half preflight, start procedures (according to a checklist) and flight briefings. We then did an orientation flight.
Day 3 was spent flying doing general handling and then a period of emergency training.(Comm qualified type rated instructor)(Autho sheets and tech logs all filled out)
All in all a professionally presented course and a 3 day conversion onto a single engine helicopter - you can't ask nor do you need more than that.
Well done guys.
Right......your turn...................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS .....what a pleasure flying her.