PPL South Africa
 

I am curently studying for a non aviation degree in the UK aged 21. However aviation has always been my dream and i am in the process of deciding to do my PPL in south Africa with a view of going on to get a full commercial licence after uni.. .. .I am aware of the prices of a few schools but i was wandering if anyone had any advice on the matter. Are there any schools i should avoid and are there any ones that may be slightly more expensive but with better value in terms of aircraft, quality of training and facilities.. .. .Any advice on this matter would be much appreciated

Hello,. .. .I would recommend you look at 43 Air School in Port Alfred, SA.. .. .I know many commercial pilots who have trained there including one guy who instructed there. Its not as relaxed as some schools but I think thats a plus not a minus.. .. .check out the website - <a href="http://www.43airschool.com" target="_blank">www.43airschool.com</a>. .. .Let me know if I can help further as I will be going down in November to do my CPL/IR. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" /> . .. .Steve Lewis

Cheers for the reply Britflyer!. .. .I will check out this flight school and would like to know a bit more about your opinion. Have you already been there?. .My e-mail is [email protected] if you would like to send me your details. .. .Cheers!

A while back there was a discussion on the wannabees forum about flight schools in South Africa.. .Also in this forum a topic titled 'the value of an SA license' or something like that, not too long ago, might be of interest.. .I went to 43 and had a fantastic time there.. .Let me know if I can be of any help.. .Regards. .Cloggie

Thanks for the replies people!. .. .Got plenty of feedback from the other forums aswell and plenty of contact addresses also.. .. .Problem is i still have to make my mind up at some point.. .. .If there's any more advice out there i would love to hear it . .. .Thanks Again. .. .Daydreamer

Hi Daydreamer,. .. .I tried to do homework for you but it became too much. Do yourself a favour and try the search function (first search in the Africa Aviation - just with subjects "43") and you should find three threads. If you have read that search again but put 43 in the "contents" line.. .. .In short : 43 Air school - highly recommended - my son will be there next year !. .. .All the best to you for a great career - it is great to fly.. .. .Cheers and best regards,. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> Gunship <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" /> . .WEST AFRICA

There are a couple of schools in South Africa that do JAA PPL's. Flight Training College of Africa are one (based in Midrand, just outside Jo'burg, <a href="http://www.ftc-sa.com" target="_blank">see website</a> ). The other is based in George, I think - can't remember the name.. .. .TB

Britflyer has given you sound advice. 43rd are excellent, highly professional without being too daunting. You will be immersed in aviation and surrounded by people from whom much can be learned.. .. .Good luck.

Thanks for all the advice everybody!. .. .Just one more question. Does anybody have any opinions on Algoa Flying Club at Port Elizabeth. Someone else has recommended this place but i havent heard anyone else mention this place so far. Is there any disadvantage learning to fly in Cessnas and does the setup at Algoa provide good training?. .. .Cheers,. .Daydreamer

Rob(powell69) - specifically on Algoa:
I just got back from Algoa (validation of UK licence plus renting for a week)- impressions from this, my very first visit:
very efficient, good training standards, excellent social scene, very welcoming, great accomodation nearby, etc. I'd go again. They are also a 'Mutual' rather than a profit making company, and only ask that you keep your balance at 0 or just in the black - they don't want any big sums in advance. I wouldn't have any problem recommending them to anyone.
I arrived on the 3pm flight one Tuesday. I passed Air Law and the validation test before 6pm the same afternoon, the papers went to the CAA by courier, and and by noon the next day I was legal and taxi-ing - Algoa had primed the SA CAA with all my details and the paperwork was all done that quickly. (Good job I did my check flight on the arrival day - I wasn't really fit to fly the first morning - they have a good bar in the clubhouse.)