Which flying school in the Western Cape?
 

Hi there,

a question for the locals from SA: I live in Europe, but I am in the fortunate position that my wife's parents live in Somerset West, South Africa. Free lodging for three weeks each time! :)
I want to get my PPL in South Africa, seeing the rand is dropping at the moment. Which flying school do you recommend? I was thinking of the Stellenbosch flying club, since it is close to where I will stay. How is its reputation? Or should I look at the school at CPT, or the one near Durbanville?

Any advice is welcome!

Regards

Wish I could free load in that neck of the woods! not sure about the schools, but best of luck mate.

Does it really and truly have to be the western cape? FACT is getting very difficult to operate in and around due increase in commercial traffic. Also consider options further afield ie due east along the coast.:ok:

@bucket: er, yes, since i will be staying there during my holidays...:\
I read some good things about the flying school in george, but to spend at least an hour in the car to George, I think it is closer to two, that is too much time wasted as far as I am concerned.:ugh:
So it will have to be the Western Cape.

George is still in the Western Cape...but 4 hours drive from Cape Town, 50minutes flight, 5 flights a day.

I will need every penny I own for the PPL... :sad: So flight to george will be a bit too much.

Once I have my PPL, that would be a different matter...:p or would anyone volunteer to take me to George? :E

If your in Somerset West then Stellenbosch. Fisantakraal is out to the north of Cape Town. Training out of FACT these days isn't really a good plan. Was there last month and noticed a Tomahawk (probably Good Hope Flying Club) holding for 30 mins and this about 11.30ish so not exactly rush-hour.

@suitcaseman::D thank you for your advice, the rest of you as well. stellenbosch it will be then.

I already sent an email to them, nothing up till now. I will be going back in July/August, I'll visit them and see how they are.

I hope to start next year, I am saving everything I have at the moment. Will keep you posted!:ok:

Have a look here:

http://www.cape-town-flying.co.za

Based at Fisantekraal - less than 5 mins flying from the General Flying area - pretty quiet and you dont have the hassle of getting in and out of Cape Town Int'l airport - nowadays with all the work going on it takes longer to get into the airport than it does to get airborne!!!

They have a good reputation and are only 30 mins by road from Som West.

They do bring u across to FACT to fly there in the quieter periods (which are getting less and less nowadys). Some hours we are getting over 45 movs and hour in the CTR, so you are just going to be wasting your precious time if you wanna fly in and out of there.

Think there is also a flying club at FAWC but not too sure of the details.

Stellenbosch Flying Club is a good one to look at. Well priced and argualbly one of the most picturesque (spelling?) flying clubs/fields in SA.

Short runway - you'll have no problem landing elsewhere after training at FASH. Good fleet of Cessna's and no wait to get airbourne, unlike operations out of FACT.....

Good luck

If only Stellenbosch would reply to my email with some answers to my questions, that would be some help.:\

But I will be heading over in July/August anyway, see how it is firsthand.

Good to hear that many people say Stellenbosch, have any of you flown there or taken lessons there? Any stories of their level of flying lessons? Good, average, bad?

I must concur here. Stellenbosch is beautiful and I always found the staff and surroundings really great. I always enjoyed going there. Nice choice. I think I could say you would love it. Have a wonderful time. Last time I was there (earning my bacon in UK now) it was clean, smart and well presented.

Ditto the runway, you're not spolit for tarmac but fly the numbers and you'll be fine. The mountains offer a superb backdrop. If money is tight, why not see if you could camp there? Not as daft as it sounds and I think it has shower facilities. Drive home at weekends, that sort of thing. Let us all know what you decide but my vote goes to FASH.

:ok:

probably cos the electricity has been cut!!!!:}

you can't really go wrong at FASH, did some training there over the years, both as student and instructor.

@Asianeagle:

Brilliant! So you know how it is there as a flight school? Are there many students there? How are the instructors there? Will I make a good pilot, get a good training there? I am hoping to continue from my PPL to a CPL, but first wanted to get my feet wet with the PPL, so that is why it is important that the basics are taught well. :O

Been a long while since I have been there, so cant comment on the instructors as they have probably changed since. However from a traffic, geographical, short taxi, money saving point of view its great. Would suggest doing PPL, night rating there and then maybe go to CTFC for IR /com as they have sim and all the approaches will be done there anyway. Also then gives you exposure in dealing with ATC etc etc. something to think about.
As to wether or not you will be a good pilot, not everybody is a Chuck yeager so thats more up to you. Choose instructors wisely, work hard be sensible and then there is no reason why you cant be good. Its not difficult!
good luck

Instructors?
 

Any instructors among you guys..? I've been trying to get hold of CAA and you know what that's like. Please can someone tell me what the instuctor exams are based on..which subjects and what what..? And anything useless you have to share would be awesome. Cheers..