43 Air School - SA (Merged)
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43 Air School - SA (Merged)
Im just posting this thread to check if any1 has any info on the 43 air school in port alfred? Myself and 5 others are due to head out there mid march. Im just trying to get any tips or anything like that. What to expect and what the weather is like there! If there are any useful websites or other forums please let me know as i cant actually find any. Thanks in advance for all your help!
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Try avcom.co.za - I am sure that you will be able to trace a couple of die-hard 43rd airschool fans there!
One of the best schools in SA - never heard anyone complain about the quality of the training, but relatively expensive. Spent 2 weeks preparing for my com test there - good school, nice coastal location, if not a bit isolated. Being on the coast, weather can be variable. Some might find the pseudo military type environment a bit offputting, especially if you don't like wearing a flying overhaul, others love it.
If you want a total aviation environment then this could be the school for you.
Are you going there for commercial or private training?
One of the best schools in SA - never heard anyone complain about the quality of the training, but relatively expensive. Spent 2 weeks preparing for my com test there - good school, nice coastal location, if not a bit isolated. Being on the coast, weather can be variable. Some might find the pseudo military type environment a bit offputting, especially if you don't like wearing a flying overhaul, others love it.
If you want a total aviation environment then this could be the school for you.
Are you going there for commercial or private training?
Last edited by wheels up; 1st Feb 2006 at 21:54.
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Hi Wheels up
Im also one of the 6 going. We're actually going as cadet Cityjet pilots. Its the first time they've run the programme so we're kinda guinea pigs! We talked to 2 Irish guys who went to the 43airschool and they said it was really good and top notch. Its good to hear someone else is saying the same. Can't wait to go now!
Im also one of the 6 going. We're actually going as cadet Cityjet pilots. Its the first time they've run the programme so we're kinda guinea pigs! We talked to 2 Irish guys who went to the 43airschool and they said it was really good and top notch. Its good to hear someone else is saying the same. Can't wait to go now!
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I know they do some of their commercial training at Port Elizabeth Airport - they use it for ILS approaches etc. If you land there, pop into Algoa Flying club and say hello, they are all a friendly bunch.
If you get chance, pop down to Port Elizabeth for a night out, there are a few bars down by the beach front. Take a trip to the Golden Curtain or the Go Go Lounge too.
You will enjoy South Africa, although Port Alfred is a little off the beaten track.
There are some of my pics from my last trip down there in this thread :-
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207786
Good luck.
If you get chance, pop down to Port Elizabeth for a night out, there are a few bars down by the beach front. Take a trip to the Golden Curtain or the Go Go Lounge too.
You will enjoy South Africa, although Port Alfred is a little off the beaten track.
There are some of my pics from my last trip down there in this thread :-
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207786
Good luck.
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Thanks for all the help everyone but we would still appreciate any more comments or tips on what 'extras' to bring down there with us. Even other links to sites that there are discussions on 43 would be helpfull. Thanks in advance.
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Hi there
well you will be arriving at the begining of winter, not cold at all, between 10 -20 degrees c, seldom cold. Take rain coats as it is the rain season and it can rain for days. Between you bunch I would suggest you buy a car there, a rust bucket(A cheep car less than a 1000 pounds) as you will find it to be a quite town and you will want to go to PE and down to Plet where it all happens over weekends.
As for the flying its good and they have a large fleet of aircraft, You realise you will be doing an ICAO licence and not a JAR licence, which means you will have to write 2 CPL AND 2 IR tests in order to get the JAR licence.
You will have lots of fun there, beer is cheep about R6.00 (60 UK cents)
Close to the beach and the water is nice and warm, fishing is good and playing golf is cheap.
Go have fun in the sun
well you will be arriving at the begining of winter, not cold at all, between 10 -20 degrees c, seldom cold. Take rain coats as it is the rain season and it can rain for days. Between you bunch I would suggest you buy a car there, a rust bucket(A cheep car less than a 1000 pounds) as you will find it to be a quite town and you will want to go to PE and down to Plet where it all happens over weekends.
As for the flying its good and they have a large fleet of aircraft, You realise you will be doing an ICAO licence and not a JAR licence, which means you will have to write 2 CPL AND 2 IR tests in order to get the JAR licence.
You will have lots of fun there, beer is cheep about R6.00 (60 UK cents)
Close to the beach and the water is nice and warm, fishing is good and playing golf is cheap.
Go have fun in the sun
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hi leonsniff congrats on geting the position. if u dont mind, what back ground did ureself and the other five have, saw the advert for it but didnt apply cause of the huge costs, best of luck in thr training
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CORRECTIVE INFO!!
Right,
you can relax, 43 is by far the best school in SA, especially as far as job opportunities world wide goes as well. There are some other very good schools in the area and in Johanneburg, but Ive flown at a few and dont feel (IN MY OPINION), they offer quite as good a product as 43.
A correction to a previous posting. Although privately funded, SAA and Kenya Airways students do the SACAA ICAO CPL, IR + ME Rating, the students coming from Ireland, which I presume you are one of them, WILL BE DOING A FULLY COMPLIANT JAA/JAR CPL/ATPL course. The course material will be from the UK and the school has been evaluated by the IRISH CAA for the last few months in order for them to provide JAA/JAR training.
So you can relax that you will have a great time having the best of both worlds, not only in flying conditons and weather, but the JAA licence without conversion and at one of the top schools around. You also get the "fun" of living in a small town, whch can be intersting with beautiful beaches, with Port Elizabeth ( 1 1/2 hours) and Grahamstown (1/2 hour) not far away to party!!
But believe me, after PPL, you wont have much time to party, 43 run a tight ship and will take good care of you, you can trust your coming to a good school!!
BTW, I am at 43 now in the worst phase (Ground School)...and Im surviving!!!
In a bit!!
See you guys in a couple of weeks!
you can relax, 43 is by far the best school in SA, especially as far as job opportunities world wide goes as well. There are some other very good schools in the area and in Johanneburg, but Ive flown at a few and dont feel (IN MY OPINION), they offer quite as good a product as 43.
A correction to a previous posting. Although privately funded, SAA and Kenya Airways students do the SACAA ICAO CPL, IR + ME Rating, the students coming from Ireland, which I presume you are one of them, WILL BE DOING A FULLY COMPLIANT JAA/JAR CPL/ATPL course. The course material will be from the UK and the school has been evaluated by the IRISH CAA for the last few months in order for them to provide JAA/JAR training.
So you can relax that you will have a great time having the best of both worlds, not only in flying conditons and weather, but the JAA licence without conversion and at one of the top schools around. You also get the "fun" of living in a small town, whch can be intersting with beautiful beaches, with Port Elizabeth ( 1 1/2 hours) and Grahamstown (1/2 hour) not far away to party!!
But believe me, after PPL, you wont have much time to party, 43 run a tight ship and will take good care of you, you can trust your coming to a good school!!
BTW, I am at 43 now in the worst phase (Ground School)...and Im surviving!!!
In a bit!!
See you guys in a couple of weeks!
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I am also one of the 5 heading down, thanks to all above for the info and well wishes.
Springbok is correct in that we will be doing the JAR CPL/IR with ATPL exam credit, can't wait!
Miles
Springbok is correct in that we will be doing the JAR CPL/IR with ATPL exam credit, can't wait!
Miles
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Leonsniff,
There are a couple of stores in South Africa that sell some pretty handy flying clothes. Cape Union Mart in one that sells light weight trousers that are great for flying in, and then zip off into shorts. They have loads of big pockets on the sides too to keep things in.
They are handy to wear when flying, as you get the benefit of long trousers when flying, then when you arrive at your nice hot destination, just zip off the bottoms and voila a pair of shorts without having to take extra along.
They also sell some nice safari style shirts, which again are great for flying in, as they have lots of pockets and are lightweight and comfortable.
If you pay a visit to Jeffries Bay, there are a few outlet shops from most of the major surfing companies too to stock up on cheap shorts and t-shirts for the time off round the pool or on the beach. There is also a shop chain called Mr. Price that sell cheap clothes too.
Clothes in South Africa are dirt cheap, so pack lightly.
There are a couple of stores in South Africa that sell some pretty handy flying clothes. Cape Union Mart in one that sells light weight trousers that are great for flying in, and then zip off into shorts. They have loads of big pockets on the sides too to keep things in.
They are handy to wear when flying, as you get the benefit of long trousers when flying, then when you arrive at your nice hot destination, just zip off the bottoms and voila a pair of shorts without having to take extra along.
They also sell some nice safari style shirts, which again are great for flying in, as they have lots of pockets and are lightweight and comfortable.
If you pay a visit to Jeffries Bay, there are a few outlet shops from most of the major surfing companies too to stock up on cheap shorts and t-shirts for the time off round the pool or on the beach. There is also a shop chain called Mr. Price that sell cheap clothes too.
Clothes in South Africa are dirt cheap, so pack lightly.
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Springbok
Correct me if Im wrong but did you say that 43 offers a fully compliant JAA CPL, one in which you dont have to convert once you return to Ireland...... that sounds too good to be true...........
Correct me if Im wrong but did you say that 43 offers a fully compliant JAA CPL, one in which you dont have to convert once you return to Ireland...... that sounds too good to be true...........
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Pilot training in South Africa
We are two Scandinavian guys planning on moving to South Africa in 6 months time for CPL studies. We are both really excited about this and want to be prepared in every way possible. We were hoping maybe we could get some help here.
The first step would of course be to choose what school to attend. We're looking for high standard CPL / IR / ME training. The price is of course of great important as well as what the school has to offer post graduation. A school with a hour building program students can attend for free once they have their licenses would be very attractive. Are there such?
We have found a school in Durban North called Federal Air Flight Training School. The school seems good in many ways and the impression we’ve got after speaking with representatives is all positive. Has anyone heard about that school? What have you heard? How is flight training and life at Virginia Airport in general?
We’ve also been in contact with 43 Air School which seems very professional but a bit expensive compared to the others. Progress Flight Academy , Airline Pilot Training Centre in Port Elizabeth, TH Aviation ConneXions, Algoa Flight Centre, Sky Africa Flight Training, Lanseria Flight Center, Avex Air Training & Virginia Flight School. Are there any of those schools you would recommend / not recommend? Does the quality at schools vary a lot?
By the way, what usually happens to students once they have graduated? We’ve learned the once from outside South Africa can’t work there but are they wanted elsewhere in Africa / the World with a South African CPL-license?
Many thanks and greetings from snowy Scandinavia!
The first step would of course be to choose what school to attend. We're looking for high standard CPL / IR / ME training. The price is of course of great important as well as what the school has to offer post graduation. A school with a hour building program students can attend for free once they have their licenses would be very attractive. Are there such?
We have found a school in Durban North called Federal Air Flight Training School. The school seems good in many ways and the impression we’ve got after speaking with representatives is all positive. Has anyone heard about that school? What have you heard? How is flight training and life at Virginia Airport in general?
We’ve also been in contact with 43 Air School which seems very professional but a bit expensive compared to the others. Progress Flight Academy , Airline Pilot Training Centre in Port Elizabeth, TH Aviation ConneXions, Algoa Flight Centre, Sky Africa Flight Training, Lanseria Flight Center, Avex Air Training & Virginia Flight School. Are there any of those schools you would recommend / not recommend? Does the quality at schools vary a lot?
By the way, what usually happens to students once they have graduated? We’ve learned the once from outside South Africa can’t work there but are they wanted elsewhere in Africa / the World with a South African CPL-license?
Many thanks and greetings from snowy Scandinavia!
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Just confirming there that 43 dont actully offer a JAR course. 5 of us are due to arrive the 17th of March as part of Sigmar Aviation. We are doing a 'tailor made' course down there and WILL be doing the JAR licences but unless your in the Sigmar programme there is no other way around it other than a conversion. Thanks to all for their replys-myself and the others cant wait to get down there-so might speak to some of ye very shortly. Regards.
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Great place to fly, no doubt about that.
43 Air School IS a very professional outfit. You won't go wrong with them. A very remote but very beautifull location. I would choose Virginia Flight School for hour building.
Remember that although you will be able to fly around most of Africa on an SA comm, there are loads of SAfricans looking for that work let alone the Ozzies and other Europeans with JAR licences.
Best of luck
Lionco
43 Air School IS a very professional outfit. You won't go wrong with them. A very remote but very beautifull location. I would choose Virginia Flight School for hour building.
Remember that although you will be able to fly around most of Africa on an SA comm, there are loads of SAfricans looking for that work let alone the Ozzies and other Europeans with JAR licences.
Best of luck
Lionco
Back in my say (which is not too long ago) anything South African was not particularly welcome in the rest of Africa.
This considering the apartheid history in South Africa.
Have you asked on the "Africa" forum what the chances are of employment on a SA CPL in the rest the continent?
This considering the apartheid history in South Africa.
Have you asked on the "Africa" forum what the chances are of employment on a SA CPL in the rest the continent?
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B2N2
It's been 12 years since the ANC gov took over. Whilst I know that "the legacy of apartheid" will live forever, South African pilots are the majority flying around the continent. Now that Saffers suffer affirmative action, flying work in SA is scarce and even more of them looking on the continent.
Basically IMHO
Work in SA (foriegn newbie with SA-CPL) - No chance
Work on the continent (foriegn newbie with SA-CPL) - maybe
OscarP
Check out the thread re 43 on this forum.
1/ I did my SA CPL there
2/ I know Bruce at Virginia Flight School, good guy.
Oh.............3/ I've also done africa.
Lionco
It's been 12 years since the ANC gov took over. Whilst I know that "the legacy of apartheid" will live forever, South African pilots are the majority flying around the continent. Now that Saffers suffer affirmative action, flying work in SA is scarce and even more of them looking on the continent.
Basically IMHO
Work in SA (foriegn newbie with SA-CPL) - No chance
Work on the continent (foriegn newbie with SA-CPL) - maybe
OscarP
Check out the thread re 43 on this forum.
1/ I did my SA CPL there
2/ I know Bruce at Virginia Flight School, good guy.
Oh.............3/ I've also done africa.
Lionco
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B2N2
Things obviously changed a bit since your time! Saffers all over the continent in a multitude of industries, and I have had a friendly reception in most of the African countries that I have visited. Gone are the days when you used to have to pull the SA labels off your goods before heading north of the Limpopo - they now sell them in the shops. DSTV everywhere as well.
Things obviously changed a bit since your time! Saffers all over the continent in a multitude of industries, and I have had a friendly reception in most of the African countries that I have visited. Gone are the days when you used to have to pull the SA labels off your goods before heading north of the Limpopo - they now sell them in the shops. DSTV everywhere as well.
Last edited by wheels up; 27th Feb 2006 at 09:36.