Thanks Guys
Thanks very much for your positivity guys.
After my original posting, all I got was very negative responses.
I've spent the last 36 hours feeling dreadfully disappointed and with shattered dreams. I was working till late last night, so I never checked the forums or my mail - I got another very encouraging private message from class a who told me to take all negative comments with a pinch of salt.
Hence now, feeling a whole lot happier about things, I am emailing the training school with a few final questions before I commit myself to doing my training with them.
What are your opinions about this? I don't think there are any JAA affiliated schools in South Africa but the other school (Progress Flight Academy) in Port Elizabeth say they follow the JAA Syllabus as closely as possible and do a modular course which is 155 hours and takes you through from nothing to getting your PPL, cross country, multi engine landing class and night rating, then you have to come back to Europe to do your JAA: CPL and IR.
The school which I prefer offers SAR: CPL and Instrument rating, FI and ATPL ratings, which I also want.
I am not that bothered about being JAA qualified at the moment as I am quite happy to stay there for a couple of years. All I want to do is fly! somewhere in the world! If I get a decent job there, I will stay longer.
Some of the most negative comments I have received are that being white and non South African, I will never get a job down there. The school of my choice Aptrac, say that they will offer "selected candidates" employment as a FI if you do all your training with them. Sounds like no guarantees there.
Anyway, that's about it for now.
Thanks for your encouragement and I look forward to your replies.
Cheers
Richard