Algoa Flight Centre Port Elizabeth Any feedback?
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Algoa Flight Centre Port Elizabeth Any feedback?
Hi all,
I wanted to get some feedback on Algoa that was more updated. I've read and even been recommended this club to train the PPL syllabus with two thumbs up? But last posts on this subject are a couple years old and wanted to know if the place is still the solid word.
I'm a U.S. citizen living in Kenya and plan on doing my Ppl in SA this coming March. Having already attempted a crash course Florida PPl a couple years ago that was a disaster, I'm looking for a club atmosphere where I can learn from someone who is actually interested in teaching and an atmosphere conducive to sharing knowledge.
Also love the idea of good rt and wind practice in Port Elizabeth. Algoa sounds like a solid, friendly place in all aspects. Would anyone recently involved with algoa kindly give me any tips?
I wanted to get some feedback on Algoa that was more updated. I've read and even been recommended this club to train the PPL syllabus with two thumbs up? But last posts on this subject are a couple years old and wanted to know if the place is still the solid word.
I'm a U.S. citizen living in Kenya and plan on doing my Ppl in SA this coming March. Having already attempted a crash course Florida PPl a couple years ago that was a disaster, I'm looking for a club atmosphere where I can learn from someone who is actually interested in teaching and an atmosphere conducive to sharing knowledge.
Also love the idea of good rt and wind practice in Port Elizabeth. Algoa sounds like a solid, friendly place in all aspects. Would anyone recently involved with algoa kindly give me any tips?
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Hey Jesswing's
I did some of my PPL at Algoa in 2009. I ended up leaving because the course was not intensive enough for me to finish in time. Other than that I can tell that all the instructors were extremely knowledgable, having flown in all types of challenging situations throughout the African continent. The weather in Port Elizabeth is very challenging, and in actual fact was a major reason in my decision to leave as half of the time the weather was so bad I could not go flying. The club itself is small, with a very warm atmosphere. Everyone there is very kind and happy to help you. I have nothing but good things to say other than weather and rarely but sometimes aircraft and instructor availability prevented me from flying as often as I could. I ended up going to a pilot factory and received my ppl rather quickly but when I look back I can tell you Algoa does provide a very high quality education at a reasonable price.
I did some of my PPL at Algoa in 2009. I ended up leaving because the course was not intensive enough for me to finish in time. Other than that I can tell that all the instructors were extremely knowledgable, having flown in all types of challenging situations throughout the African continent. The weather in Port Elizabeth is very challenging, and in actual fact was a major reason in my decision to leave as half of the time the weather was so bad I could not go flying. The club itself is small, with a very warm atmosphere. Everyone there is very kind and happy to help you. I have nothing but good things to say other than weather and rarely but sometimes aircraft and instructor availability prevented me from flying as often as I could. I ended up going to a pilot factory and received my ppl rather quickly but when I look back I can tell you Algoa does provide a very high quality education at a reasonable price.
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Algoa is lovely, as an ex instructor i still miss it, as Gondwe said the weather isnt always great but its the most challenging flying you will get having to deal with winds and coastal weather, its a good start towards your flying career!
Plus its a Radar controlled environment so you have exposure to ATC from the very beginning, best place to train in South Africa, and PE is fantastic too as a side!
Plus its a Radar controlled environment so you have exposure to ATC from the very beginning, best place to train in South Africa, and PE is fantastic too as a side!
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Got my PPL down there in 2009.
Below some personal experience:
Instructors: Few but all of them good or very good.
Aircrafts: Old but well maintained. Not many planes so I had problems to book a flight.
Ground School: Intensive and excellent
Weather: Is the worst thing of Port Elizabeth (for training). During summer it’s windy and during winter cloudy. Bear in mind that weather will definitely delay your training.
City: Beautiful, calm and cheap.
Algoa Club: Friendly atmosphere
Airport: Not so big to waste time waiting for clearance or taxing, but not to small hence you will be exposed to airliners commercial aviation from the beginning.
Below some personal experience:
Instructors: Few but all of them good or very good.
Aircrafts: Old but well maintained. Not many planes so I had problems to book a flight.
Ground School: Intensive and excellent
Weather: Is the worst thing of Port Elizabeth (for training). During summer it’s windy and during winter cloudy. Bear in mind that weather will definitely delay your training.
City: Beautiful, calm and cheap.
Algoa Club: Friendly atmosphere
Airport: Not so big to waste time waiting for clearance or taxing, but not to small hence you will be exposed to airliners commercial aviation from the beginning.
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Thanks guys- this input is invaluable!
Re Weather in PE, any further info as times of year best, etc. I've checked the annual met data but would be nice to hear from the horse's mouth! Also, I've given myself three months to complete the ppl, is this conservative enough?
Re Weather in PE, any further info as times of year best, etc. I've checked the annual met data but would be nice to hear from the horse's mouth! Also, I've given myself three months to complete the ppl, is this conservative enough?
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three months will be fine but suggest you to start studying for the written examns in advance. (threvor tom´s books are ok for this)
Last edited by chileno 777; 8th Jan 2012 at 22:06.
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Years ago I finished my training on the garden route in a little town called George. About four hours from PE towards Capetown. Flight training college.
Flight Training South Africa Pilot Training Garden Route. Really enjoyed it. Three months for a ppl should be fine. There's also 43 air school in Port Alfred.
Flight Training South Africa Pilot Training Garden Route. Really enjoyed it. Three months for a ppl should be fine. There's also 43 air school in Port Alfred.
