Helicopter Training in SA?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Helicopter Training in SA?
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this forum, and I'm really glad I discovered it! Seems like there's a lot of good info here.
I currently live in North West (South Africa), and I'm terribly interested in becoming a commercial helicopter pilot. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember!
I've been calling various schools around the country (NAC, Base4, 43 Airschool, Starlite), but haven't really been able to get a good impression of the different schools.
I've read some nasty comments about Starlite - are they really that bad? What schools would you guys recommend?
Some of the quotations they gave me were for both a HPPL (at around R110k), and a HCPL (at around R310k). When doing a HCPL, do you also have to do the complete HPPL? The starlite guys seem to be the cheapest so far.
Thank you so much for your insights
All the best,
Abri_Beluga
I'm new to this forum, and I'm really glad I discovered it! Seems like there's a lot of good info here.
I currently live in North West (South Africa), and I'm terribly interested in becoming a commercial helicopter pilot. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember!
I've been calling various schools around the country (NAC, Base4, 43 Airschool, Starlite), but haven't really been able to get a good impression of the different schools.
I've read some nasty comments about Starlite - are they really that bad? What schools would you guys recommend?
Some of the quotations they gave me were for both a HPPL (at around R110k), and a HCPL (at around R310k). When doing a HCPL, do you also have to do the complete HPPL? The starlite guys seem to be the cheapest so far.
Thank you so much for your insights
All the best,
Abri_Beluga
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey November Mike ,
Thank you for your response! I'm actually rather glad that you said Base4! They've been the friendliest on the phone by far
So - what sort of financing options do us South Africans have? On US heli forums I've read that there are some companies/banks there that specialise in Pilot loans.. This being Africa I don't suppose we really have anything like that
.
What have you guys done? Are the big banks (ABSA/Nedbank etc...) any help?
All the best,
Abri_Beluga
,Thank you for your response! I'm actually rather glad that you said Base4! They've been the friendliest on the phone by far
So - what sort of financing options do us South Africans have? On US heli forums I've read that there are some companies/banks there that specialise in Pilot loans.. This being Africa I don't suppose we really have anything like that
.What have you guys done? Are the big banks (ABSA/Nedbank etc...) any help?
All the best,
Abri_Beluga
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: In the Ring of Fire.....
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Banks don't help at all. However, try speaking to Imperial Bank - their finance division as they were offering something in the past. It's a type of personal loan but someone will have to stad surety for the loan for you. Imperial Bank H/Q is in JHB.
Give the boss man at Base4 a call and arrnage to have a chin wag with him.
Regards.
Give the boss man at Base4 a call and arrnage to have a chin wag with him.
Regards.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheers NM!
I just received another call from Base4. They invited me over for a coffee, which I thought was nice. I'll just have to find some time to go visit the Cape
Well, I'll have to see what I can do re. financing.. Where there's a will there's a way, no?
If any other pilots from SA can share their experiences on getting financial support for your CPL I would much appreciate it.
I just received another call from Base4. They invited me over for a coffee, which I thought was nice. I'll just have to find some time to go visit the Cape
Well, I'll have to see what I can do re. financing.. Where there's a will there's a way, no?
If any other pilots from SA can share their experiences on getting financial support for your CPL I would much appreciate it.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Stratosphere
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Correct - HELI are one of the tenants in the Signature Flight Support building at CTIA - a facilty I use when passing through Cape Town on the odd occassion. Very professional, very organized. The Owner / CFI is one of the most respected Chopper guys in the industry in SA - would not look anywhere else if I was you
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: South Africa
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, certainly sounds interesting : Are these the HELI guys? http://www.helicopter-training.org/c...ng-school.html
Googling for "Heli Cape Town" is a bit ambiguous
Googling for "Heli Cape Town" is a bit ambiguous
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: abroad
Age: 54
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For my 2C worth - make sure you are trained by experienced instructors, rather than fresh guys - always insist on being trained by the top guy, and try go for a school that can place you in the industry once you have trained. Remember that the school is a business so they will say alot to get your money.
In Capetown there are a couple of schools I know of. Try:
www.base4.co.za they have a great instructor called Frank, I think all the other guys are low timers.
www.heli.co.za run by Jannie who has a very good name in the industry.
Other than that try some people in Joburg like Alpine or NAC - there are loads of them up there. For a fresh Comm I think the Joburg guys are in a better position to place you in work once you have finished - like Nedstar type stuff.
In Capetown there are a couple of schools I know of. Try:
www.base4.co.za they have a great instructor called Frank, I think all the other guys are low timers.
www.heli.co.za run by Jannie who has a very good name in the industry.
Other than that try some people in Joburg like Alpine or NAC - there are loads of them up there. For a fresh Comm I think the Joburg guys are in a better position to place you in work once you have finished - like Nedstar type stuff.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motueka - Natuurlik!
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can also try Helibip/The Helicopter People at Wonderboom-airfield in "Snor-City" (Pretoria). 
Ask to speak to Dave Mouton. Ex-SAAF pilot. He is one of the most well-known heli-pilots around. I learned heaps from him when I did my PPL there.
Ask to speak to Dave Mouton. Ex-SAAF pilot. He is one of the most well-known heli-pilots around. I learned heaps from him when I did my PPL there.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: south of the equator
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Abri
Another good school is ATS at Grand Central. Riaan and Wessie(DE) are running a neat and highly professional school.
NAC in Durban is also a good option, they are running the Netstar contract in Durban and should be able to place you after qualifying.
Good Luck!!
Another good school is ATS at Grand Central. Riaan and Wessie(DE) are running a neat and highly professional school.
NAC in Durban is also a good option, they are running the Netstar contract in Durban and should be able to place you after qualifying.
Good Luck!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South Africa
Age: 51
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can also learn to fly at Westline Aviaition at Tempe (Bloemfontein, Free State). Another Ex-SAAF pilot runs the show. Uncontrolled airspace to learn the basics, without any delays and a controlled airspace within minutes to sharpen radio procedures. (051) 451-1717.
I have completed my HCPL last month and can recommend them.
Speak to Charlie Marais.
I have completed my HCPL last month and can recommend them.
Speak to Charlie Marais.
