43 Air School (threads merged)
 

I am considering going to 43 Air School in Port Alfred for a full-time CPL/IR course. My eventual goal is to come back to Europe and fly for an airline here; however I would like to spend a year or two in Africa to build up my hours first.

I would like to hear from anybody who went to 43 Air School and wants to share their experience. Also any opinions, positive of negative, from other people would be much appreciated.

Does 43 Air School have the same problems as for example Oxford Air Training School in the UK ? I am referring to the recent criticism, directed at OATS, about the perceived difference in the treatment of airline-sponsored cadets versus self-sponsored students.



[This message has been edited by Dirk (edited 15 October 1999).]

Hallo Dirk,

If you will go to the following website, you get some info on all the schools in SA: http://www.aeropages.co.za

Good Luck en geniet die vlieg: Dis Moers!!

------------------
Regards

Save flying, Low & Slow and throttle back round the corners!!

43 Air School - Port Alfred
 

I would appreciate any info on this school, My wife would like to do her PPL-CPL. Any info on Weather(jan-Oct), accomodation, and any other experiences would be helpful.

They have a website at www.imaginet.co.za/43airschool/welcome.htm.
Your mate PUTCO is based there. Why don't you ask him?

[This message has been edited by smallfry (edited 13 August 2000).]

Thanks, I have checked the site. Was looking more for info from someone that has been there, and maybe even done one of the courses. Putco trained at another school.Thanks anyway.

I was there in 93. I did my South African CPL ME/IR (before all the licence scandals!)
I had a great time, as everyone there was great, and the school was fun. I believe that they are much more serious now, as they do a lot of 'airline' training. I think that a PPL would still be fun there though.
The licence is based on the UK sylabus, and is of a similar standard. Port Alfred is a small backwater, but is a lot of fun if you try, and if you know somebody who owns one of the houses on the Marina, then even better. (water skiing at 3 am, jumping of the Cowie river bridge, and especially Barnacles, the nightclub!)

I can go and get some info next time home Kabullet, but I don't think it's the kind you want.

Smallfry - sarcasm, I recognize that....

Touchy or what? I merely read your details on your posting putco. Whats your problem?
You obviously know kabullet so whats so strange about suggesting that he asks you?

[This message has been edited by smallfry (edited 14 August 2000).]

Ok neutral corners lads. SF thanks, that gen is better. Will still look around though. Putco, turning a new forrest? Pharmesist maybe??

Bwana - Forrest slowly changing and the Pharmacist always was!! Muddy is ready - sarcasm, didn't mention it wasn't the truest form of wit. Kinda like it. SF, post your e-mail, let's exchange some banter....?

Great Putty. The domestic seagull and I are looking at going down to PA in dec to check things out, what are your plans?

43 Air School
 

HEARD A RUMOUR OVER HERE THAT 43 HAD BEEN SOLD TO NAC. ANY TRUTH IN THAT.

Yes, NAC did buy 43 Air School. I think it is a good thing.;)

Correct, the deal is done....methinks. Got the gen right from the instructor's mouth, NAC is also planning to move their helicopter training ops down there.

NAC has a reputation as a solid, safe company, 43's reputation and esteem can only be added to with this deal.

Heard 43 is giving ATP groundschool too nowadays, ecxellent groundschool instructor there. ex-saaf F1 fighter jock, good bloke, legendary stories

SO WILL THERE BE A CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT DOWN THERE? SPENT A YEAR TRAINING IN 43, A LOT OF GOOD GUYS IN CHARGE THERE.

Whats Jim Davis up to these day's? Is he still in the picture?

I WAS THERE 99/00. BACK THEN HE HAD A HANDS OFF ROLE, MUST BE STILL A SHARE HOLDER. STEVE GOODRICK TOOK OVER AS CFI AND THE LAST I HEARD THERE WAS TALKS ABOUT A NEW CFI AT 43.

Help
 

Hi,

It sounds like you all have good things to say about 43 Air School.
I am very eager to learn to fly in SA, however I am currently training in the UK but wow is it expensive.
I have looked into FTC of SA in connection with Federal Air, but anybody that could give me some helpful advice would be very much appreciated.
Regards,
Rebekah
[email protected]

Thanks Irishwings , I did my PPL with him when he still had Cape Flying Services in George. Top bloke and I have some good memories..... :D

REBEKAH,

DEPENING ON WHAT STAGE OF TRAINING YOU ARE AT, YOU HAVE A FEW OPTIONS.

HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR ATPL SUBJECTS YET. IF SO AND YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS YOUR CPL/IR, I WOULD CONSIDER GOING TO THE STATES TO SAVE. CHECK OUT I.F.T.A IN STUART FLORIDA. YOU CAN GET YOUR CPL THERE FOR A GOOD PRICE WITH EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION, YOUR IR FLIGHT TEST MUST BE DONE IN JAA AIRSPACE WHICH MEENS RETURNING TO BRISTOL TO FINISH THE IR TRAINING, YOU WILL CARRY OUT 50 OF THE 55HRS IN THE STATES.

THIS CAN ALSO BE DONE IN FTC SOUTH AFRICA, BUT I THICK THEY ARE FAR TO EXPENSIVE FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN BASED SCHOOL, THEY EVEN CHARGE YOU IN STERLING, NOT ON WHEN YOU SEE THE RATES CHARGED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.
WHEN I WAS IN 43 AIR SCHOOL IN 2000 I WAS PAYING 998RANDS AN HOUR FOR MULTI IR TRAINING , THATS ABOUT 95EUROS AN HOUR, COMPARE THAT TO THE UK NOW, BIG DIFFERENCE. OF COURSE43 ARE NOT YET JAA APPROVED.

trying to locate 43 airschool friend
 

Anybody who was there in 99/00 got contact details for louis from namibia. please PM me if you do.

Thanks
R.I

Hi
Im also looking for a mate from 43, a guy by the name of Richard Younge, a canadian, any help would be appreciated
Cheers

Louis...You talking about that huge guy who wasn't scared to buy someone a drink?

Sounds like the fella I am trying to get in contact with. Any idea where he is now or what he is up to.

R.I

Radar I. Check PM

Sorry, thought I could scrounge up some contact info, but no joy.

Irishrover check your PM. R.I:O

Still no contact details as yet.
Name: Louis Ludik
Home: Johannesburg/Namibia somewhere

Any help would be appreciated, would love to catch up!

Thanks
R.I:confused:

Anyone any info.

Would really like to catch up before christmas.

Regards

R.I

Aero Contractors in Nigeria send their sponsored helicopter students there and I believe that they're pretty satisfied with those who have returned after completing the course.:ok:

43 Air School
 

Kabullet / leonsniff

I finished up at 43 about 4 years ago, when I was there it was awesome. The A/C were in reasonable to very good nic and in the year I spent there we had 14 days of non-flyable weather, if that much, between April and December.

You might want to look at renting a house in town, a 2/3 bedroom house if you can share with some mates work out much cheaper than staying on the campus itself, truth be told the money they charge for a small room, and 1 bathroom between 4 guys and not to mention the food...not worth it !

Last I heard Barnacles closed, Spur opened instead, but sure there are some other places to go out to.

The local folk are mostly ok, the fishermen get boozed quite often and look for trouble with the soon-to-be-pilots, jealousy perhaps ? dont know but a friend of mine there got wacked with a pool que once so be weary !!

The training you receive there is of the highest standerd and most companys will give preferance to guys from 43.

Good luck and enjoy !

Bubblewrap

Thanks for the reply. Any things in particular i should bring down there? Any more oppinions would be greatly appreciated!

Being wacked with a pool cue - wow that's dangerous; makes Gauteng seem like a lekker plek by comparison!

Kabullet / Leonsniff

The school website www.43airschool.com has a page with details of old students.. worth getting in touch with a few of them for some first-hand information.

You can't go wrong with 43.. I was there in 1999/2000 and the place was great then. I have a few mates there at the moment and from what they say, it still is :ok:

Good luck

43 is the best. I was there 1996/97 and have been back for renewals etc.

House to rent if you are studying at 43
 

Stay off site, it's cheaper. I know of a good house to rent, three beds two baths, all bills (ex telephone) included for R4500 per month.

:)

Can anybody tell me what the ex-trainees that did their Commercial are up to now? Are you guys flying in SA, Europe, etc? Would greatly appreciate any insight as I am trying to find out what prospects there are after you spent all that money....

99 Lufty - refer to same school website for details of ex-students incl present careers!

I fly for an airline in Europe.. I know of at least a couple of ex-43 guys who do the same. Some are flying airlines or contracts around Africa, others further afield, Seychelles, Mauritius, Australia!