PPL training /SFH in South Africa
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CHEERS
CHeers for the info,
I am definately getting in contact with the various schools, the best time to go seems to be our winter. Is there any thing else that A budding pilot needs to know about the regulatory authoritites in SA
I am definately getting in contact with the various schools, the best time to go seems to be our winter. Is there any thing else that A budding pilot needs to know about the regulatory authoritites in SA
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I'm at Algoa at the moment @ 14hours and due to go solo a day now. Can't say enough good thing about the school and it's managment. the instructors are very good and the other students are a great bunch. As for the fly .. well blue sky's and loads of wind I thought the rudder pedels were to rest your feet on until I came here... they is also a grass air strip you get sent to to increase your confidance and learn to fly 'old style ' it's a get place until your lined up on final only to find locals, dogs, cows and all sort just walking across the runway ....
then you have the challange of taxing out behind a 737 and more over landing while a 737 in at the holding point with it's passangers waving at you alway makes me bounce a few times.
All in all, this is the best place to train, every day student from other nearby clubs call in to defect can't say more that that ....
then you have the challange of taxing out behind a 737 and more over landing while a 737 in at the holding point with it's passangers waving at you alway makes me bounce a few times.
All in all, this is the best place to train, every day student from other nearby clubs call in to defect can't say more that that ....
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From 7 March to 16 April 2003, I studied at PE's Algoa Flying school where I was awarded my PPL. The majority of the foreign students were Brits, but there were also Dutch and Swiss and initially we all had to get used to the South African dialect from the Tower! The intensity of the steep learning curve has to be appreciated, but if you are willing to 'work hard', then PE is also the place to 'play hard'. Algoa is fortunate to have the personalities to complement its teaching package. From Glynis, the administration expert and her ever smiling support assistant Denise, to Guy, Gerard, Tracey, Kenneth and Dave, the flying instructors, the school has a plethora of expertise. Therefore, I was disappointed to read that there seems to be some confusion, by those who have not been there, about the professionalism of the 'Flying Club'.
"Algoa is more a flying club than a professional flying school and is at the regional airport, so you pay for taxiing and waiting for slots etc. Progress is out of town....."
I do agree however that Progress is more out of town, which is a pity as the experience of flying out of the International Airport behind normal day-to-day air traffic is second-to-none, especially with the added opportunity to meet the staff from the Tower (It's good to put a face to the the voice).
For anyone who needs convincing that Algoa is worth trying then I can only state that the professionalism was only beaten by the good humour - it worked for me. As a serving memeber of the Royal Air Force I feel that I am in a position to guage that Algoa is a professional flying school which can also provide the flexibilities of a flying club.
The moral of this story. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it!
"Algoa is more a flying club than a professional flying school and is at the regional airport, so you pay for taxiing and waiting for slots etc. Progress is out of town....."
I do agree however that Progress is more out of town, which is a pity as the experience of flying out of the International Airport behind normal day-to-day air traffic is second-to-none, especially with the added opportunity to meet the staff from the Tower (It's good to put a face to the the voice).
For anyone who needs convincing that Algoa is worth trying then I can only state that the professionalism was only beaten by the good humour - it worked for me. As a serving memeber of the Royal Air Force I feel that I am in a position to guage that Algoa is a professional flying school which can also provide the flexibilities of a flying club.
The moral of this story. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it!
One cautionary note - if you intend flyingin the UK when you return from Seth Efrika, either train for a JAR-FCL PPL(A) at a school which MUST be approved for the training - or else train for a SA PPL. When you return to the UK you may fly day VFR UK on your SA licence so long as it's current and valid. Establish how you will maintain its validity....
2 cases spring to mind. One pilot had a lapsed SA PPL and wanted to know how to use it to obtain a JAR-FCL PPL - he wasn't happy to learn that he needed to fly 35 hours (25 dual and 10 supervised solo), sit all the exams and do the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Skill Test. Neither was someone else who went to SA to do a PPL at a non-JAR school but didn't quite finish - he also needed to do 35 hours back in the UK.....
There are obvious plus points regarding training in SA, but beware of the traps for players when you get back to the UK....
2 cases spring to mind. One pilot had a lapsed SA PPL and wanted to know how to use it to obtain a JAR-FCL PPL - he wasn't happy to learn that he needed to fly 35 hours (25 dual and 10 supervised solo), sit all the exams and do the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Skill Test. Neither was someone else who went to SA to do a PPL at a non-JAR school but didn't quite finish - he also needed to do 35 hours back in the UK.....
There are obvious plus points regarding training in SA, but beware of the traps for players when you get back to the UK....
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One pilot had a lapsed SA PPL and wanted to know how to use it to obtain a JAR-FCL PPL - he wasn't happy to learn that he needed to fly 35 hours (25 dual and 10 supervised solo), sit all the exams and do the JAR-FCL PPL(A) Skill Test.
The renewal process could be back in SA if they are regular travellers down there, but it can also be completed in the UK without travelling a quarter of the way round the globe - providing the 'elapsed' period wasn't more than 2 years (after which it has to be back in SA). Admittedly the paperwork to renew takes about a month elapsed due to the 'speed' of the mail there but if the licence is not allowed to lapse, but the renewal is done a month before expiry, it all flows smoothly.
There is a community of SA PPLs in the UK and they are about to have a fly-in to RAF Cosford on June 6th to meet up to discuss experiences - some are new PPLs, some have been flying here for ages on their SA privileges, some have converted to get IMCs etc. The known list of UK based AMEs doing SA PPL medicals is on the community webiste along with the fly-in details. UK-SA Flyer Community
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FFF,
Sorry to take so long to reply to your comment. I didn't make myself clear.
I was talking about a few occcasions when one had to pay for fuel to get the aircraft to go on a 1hour instructional sortie round trip from Grand Central returning to Grand Central where FTC are actually based.
Obviously I expect to pay for fuel away from base. This however was actually at their base during the middle of the week, during working hours and nowhere near a bank holiday.
Absolutely flabbergasted. Really have never seen anything like it.
Sorry to take so long to reply to your comment. I didn't make myself clear.
I was talking about a few occcasions when one had to pay for fuel to get the aircraft to go on a 1hour instructional sortie round trip from Grand Central returning to Grand Central where FTC are actually based.
Obviously I expect to pay for fuel away from base. This however was actually at their base during the middle of the week, during working hours and nowhere near a bank holiday.
Absolutely flabbergasted. Really have never seen anything like it.
Irv - yes, we did suggest that getting his SA PPL renewed was his best option and that he should check with the SA aviation authorities to establish the requirements for his particular case.
Same for the guy who didn't finish his SA PPL. Best option was to go back and finish it, then use it in the UK and convert if he wanted to at a later date.
Same for the guy who didn't finish his SA PPL. Best option was to go back and finish it, then use it in the UK and convert if he wanted to at a later date.
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Did you do your PPL in South Africa?
Where in SA did you train?
I posted the following question on "wannabees" on 12 July but have only had one real response so thought I would try here.
"Over some time I have seen a number of aspirant pilots asking for advice on where to go to train in SA. None of those who said they were going there seem to report back on how their course went, we only hear the bad cases. Anyone prepared to recommend the school they chose?"
I posted the following question on "wannabees" on 12 July but have only had one real response so thought I would try here.
"Over some time I have seen a number of aspirant pilots asking for advice on where to go to train in SA. None of those who said they were going there seem to report back on how their course went, we only hear the bad cases. Anyone prepared to recommend the school they chose?"
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Hi Wannadoo, have you considered 43 Air School in Port Alfred?
A highly professional setup which has an excellent reputation in the industry. The PPL course is structured and very enjoyable, and the training environment fantastic. Not many places where you get to spot whales and dolphins during your cross-country flights along the coast!
Good luck and enjoy
JD
A highly professional setup which has an excellent reputation in the industry. The PPL course is structured and very enjoyable, and the training environment fantastic. Not many places where you get to spot whales and dolphins during your cross-country flights along the coast!
Good luck and enjoy
JD
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Lots going!
Did mine at Blue Chip Aviation in Pretoria, out of Wonderboom airport. Good area to learn as you close to all the big airports and get to learn and fly in the special rules areas. But the airport itself is quiet enough so that you dont waste to much time at the holding point. Had no problems with the school all were very professional and friendly. Another school in the area is a fairly new Central Flying Academy at Grand Central airport, they seem to be a very competent setup, becoming very popular. These and alot of other schools are all inland. 43 air school at the coast is also a very professional setup. A few good schools Ive heard of in Port Elizabeth which is near 43, also on the coast. And of course a few in the beautiful city of Cape town.
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Busy with my PPL at Delta200 in Cape Town, very nice instructors and friendly staff and professional, can provide you with all your needs and ratings, lots of planes to do conversions and a C150 for IF training
. Very affordable price range, no bull.... and extra hidden costs. Great coast cross countries and ofcourse the lovely city of Ape Town with international airport and a lekka local unmanned airstrip to practice at, a close general aviation area, Stellenbosch is also closeby for quick flips.
The other airschools in Cape Town is Cape Aero Club, Good Hope Flying Club and then Stellenbosch flying club just on the outside of Cape Town.
. Very affordable price range, no bull.... and extra hidden costs. Great coast cross countries and ofcourse the lovely city of Ape Town with international airport and a lekka local unmanned airstrip to practice at, a close general aviation area, Stellenbosch is also closeby for quick flips. The other airschools in Cape Town is Cape Aero Club, Good Hope Flying Club and then Stellenbosch flying club just on the outside of Cape Town.
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The best place to do your flight training is at 43 Air School. They are a highly professional school. The area you fly in is also very beautiful. Their courses are very well structured and the training is the best! If you are considering to maybe do your CPL at a later date, then you can not go to any other place.
Did my CPL there and I had the best time of my life. Yu are out of the big rush of things, but not to far from big cities. The Genral Flying areas are right arround the airfield. There is no need to do a long flight to get to the training areas. In most of the schools in Johannesburg you have to fly to the nearest training area that will take you about 10 - 15 min of flying. So in an hours flight, you will only have 30 min of actual flight training where at 43 in an hour you will have at least 50 min of actual training. For more information on 43 airschool: http://www.43airschool.com . Really hope you choose the best
Did my CPL there and I had the best time of my life. Yu are out of the big rush of things, but not to far from big cities. The Genral Flying areas are right arround the airfield. There is no need to do a long flight to get to the training areas. In most of the schools in Johannesburg you have to fly to the nearest training area that will take you about 10 - 15 min of flying. So in an hours flight, you will only have 30 min of actual flight training where at 43 in an hour you will have at least 50 min of actual training. For more information on 43 airschool: http://www.43airschool.com . Really hope you choose the best
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Wannado: If 'home' is UK or Eire based, there is a 'support' group for when you return with your licence, (we just had an excellent fly-in to RAF Cosford). See UKSA Flyer Community - the participants often say where they learned in SA so you can ask the ex-students. Also there's info like SA medicals in the UK, UK law for SA PPLs, and there will be some more news fairly soon on flying to France., I hope.
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Still looking
Thank you for the replies so far. I have looked into a few places but have not yet made up my mind. 43 looks good but is not quite what I am looking for, has a waiting list and is a bit too expensive for me.
I am considering Algoa Flight Centre in Port Elizabeth. Does anyone have first hand information?
I am considering Algoa Flight Centre in Port Elizabeth. Does anyone have first hand information?
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Algoa Flying Club
If you are thinking about going to Algoa Flying Club, you are already on the right track. I cannot recommend them enough.
I did my PPL there in fantastic Port Elizabeth in Apri this year.
Taxing out behind a 737 is just great.
The school is professional but retains a casual atmoshere, which I found suits the learning cycle very well, not stressed out.
Yeah, other schools do offer whale watching etc, who cares? You want to learn to fly, and with the best, go to Algoa my man, you will be so pleased you did.
(The birds are great too.)
I did my PPL there in fantastic Port Elizabeth in Apri this year.
Taxing out behind a 737 is just great.
The school is professional but retains a casual atmoshere, which I found suits the learning cycle very well, not stressed out.
Yeah, other schools do offer whale watching etc, who cares? You want to learn to fly, and with the best, go to Algoa my man, you will be so pleased you did.
(The birds are great too.)
Join Date: Dec 2002
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My Two penny-worth
Hi there
Ok I'm biased towards SA as I did my PPL here. The majority of my flying has been in Cape Town and at George. I have no concerns at all. At the major schools/flying clubs you will be treated fairly and have a great time learning to fly to a high standard.
Port Elizabeth seems to be a very popular destination and having flown there several times I can see why - it's just the right mix for a student in so far as it's not rediculously busy but at the same time there's enough traffic for you to need to keep your wits about you. I personally love flying out of Cape Town but I suppose that as student pilot you don't want your hard earned cash being eaten up sat on the ground for the best part of half an hour.
My only advice is don't part with any cash up front and beware of people selling you packages in the UK. You can search this forum and find out the pitfalls that can occur. Allow yourself about 6 weeks may be more for your PPL. How quickly you finsih obvioulsy depends on a variety of factors but the weather although generally good in SA can of course be frustrating - if you do finish earlier then use the time to explore the cape by air, believe me it's something you wont regret.
Good luck!
Ok I'm biased towards SA as I did my PPL here. The majority of my flying has been in Cape Town and at George. I have no concerns at all. At the major schools/flying clubs you will be treated fairly and have a great time learning to fly to a high standard.
Port Elizabeth seems to be a very popular destination and having flown there several times I can see why - it's just the right mix for a student in so far as it's not rediculously busy but at the same time there's enough traffic for you to need to keep your wits about you. I personally love flying out of Cape Town but I suppose that as student pilot you don't want your hard earned cash being eaten up sat on the ground for the best part of half an hour.
My only advice is don't part with any cash up front and beware of people selling you packages in the UK. You can search this forum and find out the pitfalls that can occur. Allow yourself about 6 weeks may be more for your PPL. How quickly you finsih obvioulsy depends on a variety of factors but the weather although generally good in SA can of course be frustrating - if you do finish earlier then use the time to explore the cape by air, believe me it's something you wont regret.
Good luck!
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Another two penny worth
I agree fully with George Tower comments.
I recently attempted to do the same in April this year and was bitterly dissapointed and wasted about £5000.00. Be very careful in accepting packages from UK based agents like Naunton Pugh in Cambridge for flying schools in SA, see my thread of Cape Flying Services and still more very interesting comments to be posted soon!
Uk Caa only recognized JAA flying school in South Africa is Flight Training College based in Johannesburg it is apparently very proffessional and as I understand it the SA PPL does have some problems on the UK return of the student, particularly, if you do not complete the ppl in SA and return with a student ppl, the medical needs to be re taken in the UK as most medicals carried out in SA are not JAA approved allbeit Class 2.
My strony advice would be to go to a SA flying school for hour building to solo status and gain the experience return to the UK join a flying school rewrite all the 6 exams (£20 each) complete the JAA medical at about £120 and finish the leasons and course with about 12- 15 hours at £100 each.
This may sound strange, but think about it as it does make some sense. You will have a full JAA licence and have completed it a lot sooner than if you had done fully within UK as your flying hours is transferrable upon your return. Don't under any circumstances pay up front, only, pay as you fly, you will enjoy the good exchange rate at about between R500 - R 700 per hour dual and solo, that around £45- £50 per hour. Don't expect extensive ground school training , expect to teach yourself as this ground school in all probability will be non existent
South Africa is a great country for all sorts of activities including aviation but I suspect there are companies not fully up to date with good customer relations policies ! Discuss, negotiate and confirm every detail with them prior to starting your training.
If you need further advice please email me, remember Ive been there and fell into the pitfalls !
Good Luck
Sandy
I recently attempted to do the same in April this year and was bitterly dissapointed and wasted about £5000.00. Be very careful in accepting packages from UK based agents like Naunton Pugh in Cambridge for flying schools in SA, see my thread of Cape Flying Services and still more very interesting comments to be posted soon!
Uk Caa only recognized JAA flying school in South Africa is Flight Training College based in Johannesburg it is apparently very proffessional and as I understand it the SA PPL does have some problems on the UK return of the student, particularly, if you do not complete the ppl in SA and return with a student ppl, the medical needs to be re taken in the UK as most medicals carried out in SA are not JAA approved allbeit Class 2.
My strony advice would be to go to a SA flying school for hour building to solo status and gain the experience return to the UK join a flying school rewrite all the 6 exams (£20 each) complete the JAA medical at about £120 and finish the leasons and course with about 12- 15 hours at £100 each.
This may sound strange, but think about it as it does make some sense. You will have a full JAA licence and have completed it a lot sooner than if you had done fully within UK as your flying hours is transferrable upon your return. Don't under any circumstances pay up front, only, pay as you fly, you will enjoy the good exchange rate at about between R500 - R 700 per hour dual and solo, that around £45- £50 per hour. Don't expect extensive ground school training , expect to teach yourself as this ground school in all probability will be non existent
South Africa is a great country for all sorts of activities including aviation but I suspect there are companies not fully up to date with good customer relations policies ! Discuss, negotiate and confirm every detail with them prior to starting your training.
If you need further advice please email me, remember Ive been there and fell into the pitfalls !
Good Luck
Sandy
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Sanjo69
I agree SA is great but look at the threads for FTC (Africa & Wannabes), they are similar to what you experienced. UK CAA accreditation means nothing when it comes to customer service.
Wannado
Do a search there is hours of reading about all SA schools.
Good Luck in your training.
FB
I agree SA is great but look at the threads for FTC (Africa & Wannabes), they are similar to what you experienced. UK CAA accreditation means nothing when it comes to customer service.
Wannado
Do a search there is hours of reading about all SA schools.
Good Luck in your training.
FB
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Replying to a previous post...
...regarding distances to GFs. The GF at Wonderboom is around two minutes flying time from the circuit so no probs there. Wonderboom at Pretoria is a quiet field where you'll get no untoward delays and as they're controlled you'll get good radio experience as well.
Schools here are Pretoria Flying School, Blue Chip and Rapid Air.
Whatever your choice, hope you enjoy your time in SA and y'all come see us again, hear......
Schools here are Pretoria Flying School, Blue Chip and Rapid Air.
Whatever your choice, hope you enjoy your time in SA and y'all come see us again, hear......
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Hi,
I went to Progress Flight Academy (Port Elizabeth) in April last year,
I did 150 hours a night rating, C150, warrior and Rockwell commander conversions and went on a week long trip to Botswana and back.
The airfield is next to PE airport (actually within their controlled airspace) and a stones throw away from the local GF area. The instructors were first class and the whole setup very relaxed and freindly and providing your flexible you'll have a great time!
There's a great social life, as well as training atmosphere and you get equal opportunities to work hard and play hard!
I spent just under 4 months, 150 hours, 3 type ratings, Night rating, full room and board, maid service, 10 day safari holiday and all for less than 7000 pounds! In fact their complex single was so cheap I ended up doing most of my hours on that! (50 pounds an hour)
They do a JAA Module 1 course aimed purely at guys looking to do the PPL and hour building before starting the ATPL groundschool in the UK.
You don't have to spend the extra to go to 43 and we had two guys flying with us that had tried 43 and didn't like it! They complained about the lack of attention given to non sponsored pilots. ( A little like the complaints about Oxford) However I never flew into 43, just over it!
I flew into FTC in Joburg and was not at all impressed by them but perhaps they weren't impressed by my Progress uniform?!?
I would take with a big pinch of salt anything claimed about JAA aproved training in SA! and look very closely at the fine print!
Finally I think wherever you go you will have a great time, but remember DONT PAY UPFRONT...remember the old saying a fool/student pilot and his money are easily parted.
Pay in stages with perhaps a small amount in advance to show good faith (like 2/3 hours more) and any school that won't except those terms are not worth trusting!
Best of luck and feel free to email if you want to ask anything,
regards Rodders.
I went to Progress Flight Academy (Port Elizabeth) in April last year,
I did 150 hours a night rating, C150, warrior and Rockwell commander conversions and went on a week long trip to Botswana and back.
The airfield is next to PE airport (actually within their controlled airspace) and a stones throw away from the local GF area. The instructors were first class and the whole setup very relaxed and freindly and providing your flexible you'll have a great time!
There's a great social life, as well as training atmosphere and you get equal opportunities to work hard and play hard!
I spent just under 4 months, 150 hours, 3 type ratings, Night rating, full room and board, maid service, 10 day safari holiday and all for less than 7000 pounds! In fact their complex single was so cheap I ended up doing most of my hours on that! (50 pounds an hour)
They do a JAA Module 1 course aimed purely at guys looking to do the PPL and hour building before starting the ATPL groundschool in the UK.
You don't have to spend the extra to go to 43 and we had two guys flying with us that had tried 43 and didn't like it! They complained about the lack of attention given to non sponsored pilots. ( A little like the complaints about Oxford) However I never flew into 43, just over it!
I flew into FTC in Joburg and was not at all impressed by them but perhaps they weren't impressed by my Progress uniform?!?
I would take with a big pinch of salt anything claimed about JAA aproved training in SA! and look very closely at the fine print!
Finally I think wherever you go you will have a great time, but remember DONT PAY UPFRONT...remember the old saying a fool/student pilot and his money are easily parted.
Pay in stages with perhaps a small amount in advance to show good faith (like 2/3 hours more) and any school that won't except those terms are not worth trusting!
Best of luck and feel free to email if you want to ask anything,
regards Rodders.