How about SA?

[dogbeer]

Is there anyone in here who has done the conversion - JAA PPL - CPL/IR/ME in SA and then converted this into JAA CPL/IR/ME?
If so I would appriciate to hear your stories since this is the path I intend to go.
I have been checking out various flight schools in SA, including Algoa, Aptrac and Progress flight acadmey. Seems to me that the overall opinions about said flight schools is mostly postitve on this forum.
Anyone with other experiences?

[EL SID]

SA is a very good place to go to do a license and then convert it. I know several people who have gone out there and at the same time done distance learning for their JAA ATPL's in parallel with their SA CPL Ground Schooling. The syllabus and system is closely allied to the JAA syllabus so there is a great deal of commonality, which makes conversion a great deal more straightforward.
Like everywhere, however there are good and bad FTO's. Here are some I have heard good things about: 43 Air School, Progress Flight Academy and Central Flying Academy. There was an outfit in Jo'burg at Grand Central who gave the industry a bad name when they were training and had JAA umbrella approvals through another organisation. I understand they are no longer trading which is a good thing. As far as IR training is concerned the SA IR is 'procedurally' based like our own and the test is very similar to our own, possibly a little more stringent in some areas, unlike the FAA IR which is geared much around their own systems and has little or no procedural work.
Hope this is of some use to you. E S

[dogbeer]

It sure was good help, thank you!
Anyone else out there with south african experiences?

[M.85]

Dogbeer,

BEWARE, I f you go to South Africa you may never come back..its a lovely country,I lived four years there and regularly go back..
The people are just great,youll make friends for life...,the scenary is fantastic...the prices tend to go up but if anyone is looking for a relaxed way of life...youll be in heaven..

Enjoy!!!

M.85

[hifive11]

Can you get air bridge courses/JOC courses down their - also FI?

[mark.laverty]

I learnt at Algoa in Port Elizabeth and have only good things to say about the school and the place. PE's a great place, in between big city and sleepy town. I've heard good things about 43 Air School as well. And I believe Progress is fine but it's in the middle of nowhere and to be stuck out there for some time would be a problem for me.
The people at Algoa are marvellous and the instructors first class. I'm going back shortly. If you want more info feel free to email me.

[NickGreen]

I concur with Mark. Algoa in Port Elizabeth is streets ahead.

Superb training in fab environment. Sociable and active flying school in non-profit club. Instructors / admin staff who go out of their way, and remain friends long after you leave for the UK. Quality of training that will stand you in good stead and is easily adapted for UK flying and licences.

Have a look at http://www.uksa.flyer.co.uk/ for soem like minded people and look out for Irv Lee who is the link with all things JAA / JAR and SA etc.

All the best
Nick

[EL SID]

Whilst Algoa Flying Club may have it's undoubted attributes for PPL flying I think the question asked by Dogbeer was about getting a SA CPL/IR and converting it to a JAA fATPL. On my previous post on this subject I referred to schools I knew where people had gone down this route in the past. One most important thing for someone going to SA to get a license is to eventually convert it to the JAA license is to parallel the JAA ATPL distance learning with the SA CPL ground school where there school has an 'in house' dedicated ground school facility. The schools such as 43 Air School can accommodate people who are following this route. Also they are very familiar with the JAA professional flight tests so they tailor the training to prepare people for these tests when they return to the UK.
Ideally if someone has utilised their time constructive whilst doing the SA license then the individual is fully prepared for the distance learning brush up course on their return to the UK and thus don't waste months of studying full time for the JAR exams and losing valuable flying currency.
If one returns and does the short brush up course and passes the JAR ATPL exams promptly, then their flying and flight test conditioning should be fairly current. This is essential if one is too avoid having to do more than the 15 hours for the IR skills test and 2 to 3 hours for the CPL skill test, otherwise one may end up doing as many hours as the modular route followers – i.e. 25 hours for the CPL and 55 hours for the IR which negates the saving made on doing the SA license in the first place.
Any approved school in SA can do PPL through to ATPL, but are there are those that specialise and have training contracts with Airlines in the region, thus I would recommend looking closely at those who do this if the JAA fATPL is the goal and not just a PPL.

[YDN]

With regards flying in SA, I did a multi CPL at 43 in port Alfred and have just converted it to JAA. 43 as a school is brilliant - residential and I believe they now have their own exam centre which saves quite a lot compared to when I was there and you had to fly up to Pretoria to do the exams. I didn't intend on converting to JAA when I went to 43 and therefore know nothing of paralleling JAA stuff. Sounds to me though that you should definately look into this. Part of the training at 43 involves an international trip - mine was up the coast of Namibia and the entire training was almost worth it just for that. There is no point in me trying to explain it, you have to see it to believe it - absolutely incredible. My whole time there was one of the best times of my life and I can highly recommend it.

Coming here I have had to do all 14 exams and convert the CPL and IR. Never having flown here prior to this it was really quite different to SA and took quite a lot of getting used to. Got through it though in roughly the amount of time I expected. I've found the total cost of training to date more than if I had gone hour building after my PPL but I really think the SA route was worth it as the training is basically through what would otherwise be called an integrated course and therefore very structured. Although I am very biased to 43 I've heard lots of good things about Progress.

I don't regret going to SA and 43 in particular one bit, but I would reiterate it's not the cheapest option. Good luck with the decision making.