J O's R330,000 cadet scheme

[jbayfan]

Can you believe this guy! I heard yesterday that he is charging co-pilots R330,000 for 600 hours in the right seat of a Metroliner. They say he has 13 pilots signed up but only two aircraft. Do these 13 suckers really think that they will get jobs with a reference from J O. And that if they ever get the 600 hours they have paid for. The man has been kicked out of almost every airline he has ever worked for! So now he is pulling a money making scam on desperate pilots.

[south coast]

is this guy like the afrikaans version of jamie oliver?

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Thought both the Metros were suffering from *ahem*, damage. Not sure what they're going to use to build those hours....

[Gunship]

Is this J O, long tall and skinny ?

About 38 years old. Light hair (and fading) ?

Ex SAAF ? Pupes course about 85-86 ?

Cheers,

Gunzzz

[propdriver]

What really sucs is that the CAA who has the responsibility in regulating the industry just sits back and charges ever increasing administrative fees, shouldnt they control this sort of scam???

[maxrated]

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Prop driver....... good point but what is more alarming is that this man in question is actually a grade 1 designated examiner......and he runs what has got to be the most half-arsed slap shod operation in the country, if my memory serves me his company has been responsible for 3 hull losses in 2 years.

1 x Mt kenya,
2 x George Airport

I am reliably informed that these cadet pilots , with a mere 200 hours total time, get a dodgy 1.5 hour conversion , initial turbine and type ratings, signed out by himself, which may be a mitigating factor in his operations appalling saftey record.

Additionally aircraft maintenance seems equally dodgy, missing flight folio's and crew being forced to fly way out of MEL.

Nothing that the old 'Broederbond' connections at SACAA couldnt turn a blind eye to however.

Additionally if one does the maths properly I suspect that he would not even have to make a cents profit on the air cargo operation as 13 pilots paying 330 000 each could cover the complete cost of operating a clapped out unmaintained metroliner for an entire year.....and still have lots over for a house at Pecanwood Estate...what a great way to make money.


A' Luta continua !!!

[Shrike200]

Regarding one of the hull losses into FAGG: Having chatted at length the the PIC of the flight regarding the accident (both crew were lucky to have survived!), I firmly believe that the accident can be attributed to this policy. The inexperienced FO (who was PF at the time) allowed the situation to degenerate following a bird-strike induced engine failure at night on final approach, to such an extent that a landing was no longer possible and a go around had to be attempted. Naturally, the aircraft was loaded quite heavily, and the go-around (while possible on paper), was not viable. The PIC was nailed by a few people for not making the runway, but having chatted to him, his decision to go around seems to have been the correct one, given that the angle of bank had become quite large, and that the aircraft was no longer on centreline. 'No centreline integrity' was the term I believe an SAA pilot used describing the accident. Had there been an experienced FO at the helm, its possible (I would even say likely, but I wasn't there) that this situation could have been saved.

I believe this accident shows this policy of hiring people with inapropriate experience, who have to pay for their ride for what it is: A serious compromise of flight safety, for no benefit other than that of the operators bank balance. This lesson should be taken to heart by ALL operators who choose this policy. They won't of course, but anyway.

[Ttailed]

All I can say is that this is an absolute shame !!!!

That such an a@#%&$e can get away with such crap, can anyone confirm that Charlan was also in on the act with their Metroliners ?

Tt

[jbayfan]

I don't think Charlan had a similiar scheme going. Alan was too much of a stand up guy to rip off desperate pilots and he also had pride in his operation and the safety thereof.

[Gunship]

So does he fit me description ?

[jbayfan]

Gunship, I do not think it is the same person. He is not that skinny and looks much older than 38, probably closer to 45 to 50!

[Gunship]

Oh ok - cheers mate

[Cessnafan]

I heard C was doing a similar thing with the 120's ? I'd hate to hear it was true, they had a good reputation at one time.
I think what Johan is doing is complete bull****! Some people bust their buts to raise R200 000 for a com and then have to fork out more just to get a job! Absolutely appalling

[nyathi]

Guns, that's him that you talking about. What's more is ZS-OJH the one Metro is now standing without an engine at George Airport and they now use a King Air 1900 for there cargo haul. Who knows what's happening in that operation. I really feel sorry for those young inexperienced and for the matter experienced pilot's who whants to make a future in the world in aviation. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU!!
Shame!!

[orgasmotron]

C ? Heard a rumour that the boss there flies the embraer as P1 with only SA CPL. Apparently another skipper then has to occupy the jumpseat so that he can technically be P1. Surely this can't be true.

[jbayfan]

Folks, C is literally out of business as an operator. All their aircraft were repo'd and the two EMB120's now belong to E M.

[Moose 9]

As far as I understand Executive Turbine is now doing all of Charlan's schedules to Mozambique using their own 1900's and crew, and I also heard that Executive Turbine is also doing the freight runs now between JHB BLOEM and GEORGE, due to the metro's not being operational also with their own crew and 1900's.

[Ttailed]

Ja Alan was such a "stand up guy" and "took pride in his operation" what a joke! Is that why his company is still around ? Concerning safety I am sure a 30 minute EMB120 rating is safe.

Tt

[SebasW]

About a year ago I was almost dragged in to this scheme of his and I pulled out just after the groundschool. It's gotta be the most pathetic scheme ever run and I have to admit back then I was desperate like any other pilot who will even consider this option.

The operation out of Jo'burg is as dodge as your gonna get and that is why the one metro went down in George. As far as I know he has ony one left now flying the FAJS-FAGG route.

A word of advice... When you talk to Johan, he makes the whole deal sound incredibly tempting promising you you will be airline material when you walk away from there, which sounds very tempting for a new aspiring pilot, but STAY AWAY!

A word of advice to all low timers out there, just hang on, your break will come and once you're into a REPUTABLE company, you'll be much better off.

[Q4NVS]

He will DESTROY your career!

I am gonna make this short, because I do not have enough time to share all that I know...

I know a number of guys (10+), who are in or went through this scheme, so I guess I also have a good idea of what I am talking about.

Buy 600hrs, spend 2 years to get a 100 etc. But once your money is paid (cash), it's gone! If you can't afford to hang around and wait for those hours, well then "Come back when you are ready..." There are numbers waiting in line.

What is sad (really sad), is that ALL Airlines in SA know him.

Word of advice (to the desperate): Just about ALL of these Airlines won't EVER consider employing one of Johann's famous Cadets - So, you are buying your way Out of a Career in SA.

BEWARE!!!

I think it is about time that SARS (or even Scorpions) are onto him, if they are not already... One of these days he is also going to saddle the wrong horse, and could end up on Carte Blanche.

In closing RE: Charlan Air - They were in on the deal (both SW4 & EMB120), run by Johann's Skyvest (or is it SkyCrooks).

Just my 2 cents worth - hope this saves someone a lot of hardship and possibly a career in SA!