Cross-Border Private Hire & Fly SA

[AeroBatfink]

I posted this in the African forum, but maybe some of you guys can help with this?

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Just to fill you in, I'm from the UK, I did my PPL in SA and I'm going back in May to do my renewal and a few more hours. I'm not sure if anyone who uses this forum has anything to do with private flying in South Africa, but I did a search for this forum, came up blank, and thought I might as well give it a shot anyway...

Anybody got any good advice in connection with taking a hire and fly aircraft over SA's borders, or if it is indeed possible???

My embryo of a plan would be a flight from Jo'burg to Maputo via Swaziland, then up to the southern edge of Zim, via the Kruger, returning via Francistown, Botswana. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!! Seems a shame to go all that way just to potter around the GF...

[stiknruda]

ABF

Over 10 yrs ago I did my ab-initio trg in Swazi whilst resident in Maputo and frequently flew all 3 sectors.

Returned to Jo'burg earlier this year and rented from Rand and replicated the trip theat you wanna do.

3 points:

fuel/landing and parking in Maputo are still exhorbitant and must be paid in hard currency

you will need permission to enter Mozambique above having filed an FP - difficult to get on the day without local knowledge

if it is your first time as a VFR pilot - spk to some of the guys that have done it frequently (charter/airlines) because both Swazi and Mozambiquan ATC expect you to give estimates to reporting points that are not on a VFR chart

if you need more help - e-mail me off line

have fun

Totsiens


Stik

[AeroBatfink]

Thanks Stik! Sorry for the delay in acknowledging your info (bit of a mad one in Dartmouth...)

I'll bear those points in mind while I'm making my plans - it may mean missing out Maputo this time, as I'm on quite a restrictive budget. However, this may mean I'll get chance to drop in on some friends in Namibia - choices, choices!!

I may well give you a shout a bit nearer the time if that's still OK - I think I've got a fair bit of planning to do...
<img src="smile.gif" border="0"> AB