south african flight training
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: belfast
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
south african flight training
hi..im a new start in the way of flying having only begun my private pilots licence at aldergrove airport in belfast...but i want to take my flyiny experience to commercial level and i was told that south african schools are extremelly cheap and i was wondering if any of u veterans of flying had any advice 4 me..i know the school needs to be be approved by the caa but are there any other prerequisites for getting into one of these schools and getting quality training that can be used back home..thanks for your help..a hopeful wannabe!!!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ireland
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want a South African CPL check out 43 Air School in Port Alfred. I trained there for my cpl-ir and was very impressed by there standard's, great bunch of people down there and what a fantastic country to fly in. Nothing but good exeriences to tell you about. Since you require a JAR cpl only 150 hrs of your SA flying will be of use and you will have to start a 55hr IR from scratch .Check out the African section in Forums, there was a while back a posting on converting to a JAR license, just run a search, Wishing you the best of luck and enjoyment in the fantastic world of aviation.
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: South Africa
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Celticflyer...RT !!!
I think we shared many a beer down at the old Brass Ballbag
Might have given you a lift back to the school some nights in the old yellow peril... and what about the braais up at the farm ?
Last time we met I was in Pretoria writing exams.
So when are you coming back down to Africa?
I'm in another exotic African location right now, 37C, no alcohol here so have a beer for me please...
Cheers Dutchie
I think we shared many a beer down at the old Brass Ballbag
Might have given you a lift back to the school some nights in the old yellow peril... and what about the braais up at the farm ?
Last time we met I was in Pretoria writing exams.
So when are you coming back down to Africa?
I'm in another exotic African location right now, 37C, no alcohol here so have a beer for me please...
Cheers Dutchie
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ireland
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr KingAir himself,
Hows life still treating you down in Africa. Your a hard man to keep a track of. I'm still hoping for something to work out hear , If not I might ramble down to those parts very soon.Just got an email from a certain housemate of mine in port alfred today, becoming Chief Pilot of his outfit down there, doing very well for himself. Well Anything I should know about from good old Africa. Bye for now.
CelticFlyer
Hows life still treating you down in Africa. Your a hard man to keep a track of. I'm still hoping for something to work out hear , If not I might ramble down to those parts very soon.Just got an email from a certain housemate of mine in port alfred today, becoming Chief Pilot of his outfit down there, doing very well for himself. Well Anything I should know about from good old Africa. Bye for now.
CelticFlyer
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: A wee small isle
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Celtic,
Do you remember anyone from Progress while at 43rd? I think we had one or two defectors while I was in PE but names elude me these days. You guys always did have better digs but you can't beat the rush from trying to find a grass strip lit by lanterns after a trip to Queenstown! 8-).
Later,
Do you remember anyone from Progress while at 43rd? I think we had one or two defectors while I was in PE but names elude me these days. You guys always did have better digs but you can't beat the rush from trying to find a grass strip lit by lanterns after a trip to Queenstown! 8-).
Later,
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ireland
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry did'nt know any of the progress guys, when were you in PE? Comm or PPL?
Night flying was always interesting around the Eastern Cape, not a lot of ground reference down there. I had it quite handy with the introduction of electronic lighting in PA , altough it only covers part of 10-28, Some of the veterans down there told me stories from the past of seeing lanterns moving away from the R/W while on final approach. Pilots up here in europe have life far too easy.
Night flying was always interesting around the Eastern Cape, not a lot of ground reference down there. I had it quite handy with the introduction of electronic lighting in PA , altough it only covers part of 10-28, Some of the veterans down there told me stories from the past of seeing lanterns moving away from the R/W while on final approach. Pilots up here in europe have life far too easy.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: A wee small isle
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Celtic,
I was down there from June 99 to June 2000 doing my comm. As for europe being too easy - you're absolutely right
. We used to have a problem with the lanterns moving. Infact there were electric lights at Progress before I got there but they "walked" as well so it was back to the lanterns. Ahhhh the good old days.
The weather up here makes up for the well lit tar runways. Plus now it's winter I spend most of my time groping around in the dark. Still, should just be glad I've got a job of sorts.
I keep getting CVs from guys who were on sponsored courses but on completion found that they'd been canned! Poor ******s.
Later,
I was down there from June 99 to June 2000 doing my comm. As for europe being too easy - you're absolutely right
. We used to have a problem with the lanterns moving. Infact there were electric lights at Progress before I got there but they "walked" as well so it was back to the lanterns. Ahhhh the good old days.The weather up here makes up for the well lit tar runways. Plus now it's winter I spend most of my time groping around in the dark. Still, should just be glad I've got a job of sorts.
I keep getting CVs from guys who were on sponsored courses but on completion found that they'd been canned! Poor ******s.
Later,
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: South Africa
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Woof..... or should that be wheels up ?
Got your message just before this tour, sorry didn't get in touch. How's things, you still at LFC ?
I'm in a sunny part of Africa for a change.
Arriving back from LHR on SAA, 5 minutes before arriving at JNB, captain comes on the PA and says...
"Cabin crew.... SIT.... STAY !!!!!"
Will email you. Cheers Dutch.
Got your message just before this tour, sorry didn't get in touch. How's things, you still at LFC ?
I'm in a sunny part of Africa for a change.
Arriving back from LHR on SAA, 5 minutes before arriving at JNB, captain comes on the PA and says...
"Cabin crew.... SIT.... STAY !!!!!"
Will email you. Cheers Dutch.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: A wee small isle
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Celtic,
Not quite ireland - but close - I live on the Isle of Man ( an even smaller isle).
I came back from SA and did a "conversion" to JAA. It was actually a complete requal - I had to do all the ground exams ( plus compulsory groundschool) then do 50- hrs retraining ( also compulsory ) and the flight tests.
With a JAA ticket I'm OK for the IAA.
What was your method after the Eastern Cape.
TTFN
Not quite ireland - but close - I live on the Isle of Man ( an even smaller isle).
I came back from SA and did a "conversion" to JAA. It was actually a complete requal - I had to do all the ground exams ( plus compulsory groundschool) then do 50- hrs retraining ( also compulsory ) and the flight tests.
With a JAA ticket I'm OK for the IAA.
What was your method after the Eastern Cape.
TTFN
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi guys
i am considering going to south africa may 2002 for my ppl. i am from bangladesh and many pilots flying for Biman Bangladesh Airlines have foreign licenses.
if i take my commercial license from south africa, will i have difficulty converting it to JAA licenses????? i mean, since i am not from europe, would it restrict my plan to get hold of JAA ???
could n e 1 lemme know????
take care guys
i am considering going to south africa may 2002 for my ppl. i am from bangladesh and many pilots flying for Biman Bangladesh Airlines have foreign licenses.
if i take my commercial license from south africa, will i have difficulty converting it to JAA licenses????? i mean, since i am not from europe, would it restrict my plan to get hold of JAA ???
could n e 1 lemme know????
take care guys
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: A wee small isle
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good Morning Captain!
I'm sure Celtic and Dutchie may well have more to say but I seem to be here first this morning - they are probably working!
SA is a great ( and cheap) place to learn to fly and a PPL done down there ( at the right places) will give you things that aren't possible in Britain or the States. I would whole heartedly recommend the experience for a PPL.
Commercial is more complicated. I was asked just last night if I would go the SA route for commercial and with the world in it's current state I would have to say no. There are very large problems with trying to convert any foreign licence to JAA. As I mentioned in my last post, I had a valid SA CPL/IR Multi but was forced to do all the ground school and flight tests again in Britain. The cost for the requalification was about the same as the whole course in SA.
I would recommend signing up with a European based school who do part of the training in the States/Spain/South Africa. That way you can minimise the cost, get some experience in another country and avoid having to do twice the work while still getting a JAA frozen ATPL at the end of it all.
That's if you want a JAA ticket. I couldn't comment on what you might need to do to convert an SA CPL for any other countries.
Any comments guys?
Good luck - you'll need it
I'm sure Celtic and Dutchie may well have more to say but I seem to be here first this morning - they are probably working!
SA is a great ( and cheap) place to learn to fly and a PPL done down there ( at the right places) will give you things that aren't possible in Britain or the States. I would whole heartedly recommend the experience for a PPL.
Commercial is more complicated. I was asked just last night if I would go the SA route for commercial and with the world in it's current state I would have to say no. There are very large problems with trying to convert any foreign licence to JAA. As I mentioned in my last post, I had a valid SA CPL/IR Multi but was forced to do all the ground school and flight tests again in Britain. The cost for the requalification was about the same as the whole course in SA.
I would recommend signing up with a European based school who do part of the training in the States/Spain/South Africa. That way you can minimise the cost, get some experience in another country and avoid having to do twice the work while still getting a JAA frozen ATPL at the end of it all.
That's if you want a JAA ticket. I couldn't comment on what you might need to do to convert an SA CPL for any other countries.
Any comments guys?
Good luck - you'll need it
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Ireland
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On return from SA I managed to gain grandfather rights on the old national Irish system, Still had to pass the 14 ATPL's here , As the hrs required were somewhat less than the JAR requirments, (ME-IR was to flight test standard's only ) I did save a bit . It did overall still cost me an arm and a leg on top of my SA CPL-ME/IR.
Capt if you do not hold a European Passport I would question your decision to work towards a JAR License. I am pretty sure that a SA CPL will be accepted in your country because as far as I know you will not gain any special credits for holding JAR license down there.
Capt if you do not hold a European Passport I would question your decision to work towards a JAR License. I am pretty sure that a SA CPL will be accepted in your country because as far as I know you will not gain any special credits for holding JAR license down there.
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: South Africa
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Captain... what Celtic says is very true... if you don't hold an EU passport and you are not planning to fly there then don't bother with a JAA license. A South African license is acceptable everywhere else.
The standards of training in SA are very good and that is recognised in other parts of the world... look how may SA pilots are flying for Cathay Pacific, Singapore, Air Mauritius etc.
Not sure exactly what the latest JAA news is but the conversion requirements depend on your (foreign) qualifications and experience... once you have a few years with an airline it should be no problem to convert.
43 Air School is the best place to go in South Africa. An great learning environment and very professional. Not necessarily the cheapest but you will walk out of there within a year (if you work hard !) with everything you need.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Cheers Dutchie
The standards of training in SA are very good and that is recognised in other parts of the world... look how may SA pilots are flying for Cathay Pacific, Singapore, Air Mauritius etc.
Not sure exactly what the latest JAA news is but the conversion requirements depend on your (foreign) qualifications and experience... once you have a few years with an airline it should be no problem to convert.
43 Air School is the best place to go in South Africa. An great learning environment and very professional. Not necessarily the cheapest but you will walk out of there within a year (if you work hard !) with everything you need.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Cheers Dutchie