Helicopter Training in SA?

[Abri_Beluga]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and I'm really glad I discovered it! Seems like there's a lot of good info here. :)

I currently live in North West (South Africa), and I'm terribly interested in becoming a commercial helicopter pilot. It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember!

I've been calling various schools around the country (NAC, Base4, 43 Airschool, Starlite), but haven't really been able to get a good impression of the different schools.

I've read some nasty comments about Starlite - are they really that bad? What schools would you guys recommend?

Some of the quotations they gave me were for both a HPPL (at around R110k), and a HCPL (at around R310k). When doing a HCPL, do you also have to do the complete HPPL? The starlite guys seem to be the cheapest so far.

Thank you so much for your insights :)
All the best,
Abri_Beluga

[November Mike]

Base4 your best bet mate, heard very good reports. Call the boss man - Darryl Waterford on 021 934 4405 and he'll sort you out

[Abri_Beluga]

Hey November Mike :),

Thank you for your response! I'm actually rather glad that you said Base4! They've been the friendliest on the phone by far :)

So - what sort of financing options do us South Africans have? On US heli forums I've read that there are some companies/banks there that specialise in Pilot loans.. This being Africa I don't suppose we really have anything like that :uhoh:.

What have you guys done? Are the big banks (ABSA/Nedbank etc...) any help?

All the best,
Abri_Beluga

[November Mike]

Banks don't help at all. However, try speaking to Imperial Bank - their finance division as they were offering something in the past. It's a type of personal loan but someone will have to stad surety for the loan for you. Imperial Bank H/Q is in JHB.

Give the boss man at Base4 a call and arrnage to have a chin wag with him.

Regards.

[Deanw]

There is also a crowd called Heli at Cape Town IAP.

[Abri_Beluga]

Cheers NM!

I just received another call from Base4. They invited me over for a coffee, which I thought was nice. I'll just have to find some time to go visit the Cape :)

Well, I'll have to see what I can do re. financing.. Where there's a will there's a way, no?

If any other pilots from SA can share their experiences on getting financial support for your CPL I would much appreciate it. :O

[JetPark]

Correct - HELI are one of the tenants in the Signature Flight Support building at CTIA - a facilty I use when passing through Cape Town on the odd occassion. Very professional, very organized. The Owner / CFI is one of the most respected Chopper guys in the industry in SA - would not look anywhere else if I was you:ok:

[Abri_Beluga]

Ok, certainly sounds interesting : Are these the HELI guys? http://www.helicopter-training.org/cape-town-training-school.html

Googling for "Heli Cape Town" is a bit ambiguous :)

[foreigner]

For my 2C worth - make sure you are trained by experienced instructors, rather than fresh guys - always insist on being trained by the top guy, and try go for a school that can place you in the industry once you have trained. Remember that the school is a business so they will say alot to get your money.
In Capetown there are a couple of schools I know of. Try:

www.base4.co.za (http://www.base4.co.za) they have a great instructor called Frank, I think all the other guys are low timers.

www.heli.co.za (http://www.heli.co.za) run by Jannie who has a very good name in the industry.

Other than that try some people in Joburg like Alpine or NAC - there are loads of them up there. For a fresh Comm I think the Joburg guys are in a better position to place you in work once you have finished - like Nedstar type stuff.

[discobeast]

You can also try Helibip/The Helicopter People at Wonderboom-airfield in "Snor-City" (Pretoria). ;) Ask to speak to Dave Mouton. Ex-SAAF pilot. He is one of the most well-known heli-pilots around. I learned heaps from him when I did my PPL there.

[LOAC]

Abri

Another good school is ATS at Grand Central. Riaan and Wessie(DE) are running a neat and highly professional school.

NAC in Durban is also a good option, they are running the Netstar contract in Durban and should be able to place you after qualifying.

Good Luck!!

[Robo Squirrel]

You can also learn to fly at Westline Aviaition at Tempe (Bloemfontein, Free State). Another Ex-SAAF pilot runs the show. Uncontrolled airspace to learn the basics, without any delays and a controlled airspace within minutes to sharpen radio procedures. (051) 451-1717.

I have completed my HCPL last month and can recommend them.
Speak to Charlie Marais.