GT has long ago discovered that in Flight Training there is one born every second; and so he has, and will continue to, prosper.
Most individuals wouldn't know what a "Caveat Emptor" is if one came up to them and bit them in the face.
I too wish I had a nice mansion and a deep sea sport fishing vessel and all the the other trappings. Yes I am jealous, but I sleep well at night!

Flight Training in South Africa
 

Hi

Anyone have something to say about this school or any other flight training in South Africa ? Im moving down there 3 of July and gonna do my CPL training down there, so i guess its already to late to ask for opinions but hey... all info is good to have :)

How is the South African authority to "deal" with ?
Anything special i should think of down there ?

Oh, btw: How is the market for new pilots in ASIA/Pacific ?
Is it as hard as here in Northern Europe to get work ?

South Africa Schools
 

43 Air School is by far the best in South Africa. Do the training for South African Airways Cadets and have just started JAR for some Irish cadets.
Very good training and really nice area to fly in.
S.A CAA is fine. Probably easier to deal with than the UK and you can book to write whenever you want.
I have heard there is stuff going in North Africa areas on caravans etc, but you have to literally go up there and hang round the airfields bugging people. The larger airlines look for fulla tpl and loads of hours.
Always places to instruct as well if you want to go that way.
Which school you going to?

Try Algoa in Port Elizabeth. They are pretty good. Not the full on regimented flight school like 43 AS, just a nice and relaxed flying club that happens to teach PPL/CPL/ME/IR too.

The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed so there is very little pressure on you, and there is pretty good a/c availability too even though it is a relatively small fleet compared to other flight schools. There is a maintanence facility right next door, so u/s a/c get fixed right away so down time is minimal. You will also be flying out of a "real" airport mixing it with the big boys and using "real" atc too.

Most of the CPL classes are in the evening, so you get plenty of time during the day to go fly, hit the beach, work, revise, etc.

They don't advertise anywhere except on their website - it's pretty much all done through word of mouth.

Look them up, and remember bigger is not always better.

:ok:

Thanks for the words. Im starting at Fedair flightschool in Durban in August. Ive heard some nice things about 43, and ive talked to the school while i was investigating where to take my CPL.
Talked to about 100 different schools all over the world, Europe, South Africa, UK, USA, China, Thailand and Australia.... most of the was way to expensive if you look what to get for the money.

Then, i flew down to SA for some vacation (have a friend down there) and i got intouch with Fedair. A Swedish guy that handle the recruitment for the Europeans that wanna get down there and fly, and i also talked to all the Swedish students at the school. Got a really good impression, and... here i am. Plane tickets booked, appartement rented out and all setup to go :)

Hi

You know the biggest isn't always the best, have a look around the other countries in and around southern africa (eg Namibia, Botswana), You wont be put through the sausage grinder.

regards

Flying Paddy

FedAir at FAVG has pretty decent quality training, the only thing that I don't like about them, is that they don't have the largest fleet of planes availabe. As far as I know off-hand is that they have a C152 and they rent a P28R from Virginia Flight School, whom I have done all my training with. I have heard from a few people at FedAir that it is probably the best on the airfield.

Where in Durban are you going to be staying Brandten? Have you done any flight training or are you starting from scratch?

Hi

Does anyone know anything about TH-aviation-connexions? I saw their web-site, but that's all. Actually, every school looks good on the net, so it is hard to make a decision where to go. I have no chance to visit a couple of them, so I write emails and make phone calls. I have the same question about LFC and Blue chip aviation. I'd like to go to South Africa around march and get the CPL from scratch. I flew 200 hours on gliders. Do you guys know if that matters anything regarding the time build up after the PPL?

Thanks in advance

Just a Quick Note on Fedair, I know these guys very well and also have flown there. I have found them to not only be very professional and friendly, but also to treat you as a person and not as a number. The Chief Pilot is a great guy who has lots of expierence as a charter pilot/instructor (to this day he is still one of the best guys that I have flown with). The whole team at Fedair are Grade A guys and I would not hesitate to send anyone there.

I certainly have done alright since ive left them!

Also some good parties at that place!

Do they have a website?

Yes, Indeed they do have a website.

http://www.fedair.com/

Click on pilot training. Word of warning. Do not go to South Africa with the idea that you will do your training in SA, and then work in SA. That is near if not impossible, work permit situation in South Africa not so easy and lots of low hour'd ladies and gents looking for work.

Advantages of Training in SA are:

1.Get Licence and work for an South African 'Contract' Company, however you usually need hours on C208B, B200/1900, Twin Otter and have a few more hours than 200.

2. Get SA Licence and go to Botswana, Mozambique or Tanzania and look for 'Bush' work, great way to build hours. 206/210's

3. Get CPL/IR then convert the JAA (although this is lengthy and expensive)


Best of luck, give a company like Fedair a shout and speak to them. I know plenty of guys who have done the SA Licence, worked in Botswana/Tanzania for a few years, and back in the UK doing JAR conversion. Difference between them and newbies is they have a few thousand hours.

Cheers

Thank you for the info Jetstream lover!
I'm trying to gather as much information about South African flight schools as I can. This school choosing process kills me though. I don't know anybody there and never been there.

Yes, I have read that foreigners have no chance to work there, but that doesn't bother me at the moment, and I'm not planning on that anyway. I'm more worried about living expenses during the training. I'm about to spend my life saving and wouldn't like to get broke before finishing school. Anyway, I have a couple of months to figure things out. This forum definitely helps.

Hi, i have the follwoing questions:
Any info on babcock central flying school at midrand?
Any good flying schools in Jborg or capetown.
Thx

I found LFC and Blue Chip Aviation in the Johannesburg area on the net. I'm sure there are more. I wrote them but never got an answer. I might have given a wrong email address, though.

Look at this website under services. They seem to have a list of hundreds of flying schools there. http://www.aviationdirect.co.za/

My experience was not that good when it came to service from some of the major training facilities in the Johannesburg area. It seems safety has taken a dive. Most of there aircraft I was looking at hiring were old and in bad shape and I soon changed my mind. Be careful who you go to and pay as you go, Dont put money upfront!! Safety would be my main concern and there standard of maintenance. There has been an acccident in the last week with one of the main training facilities in SA.

The great thing is its an amazing place to fly and a lovely country to see from the air. Good luck in your training and have fun!!

Flight training South Africa
 

I would not consider Cape Town for any flight training - for the single reason that Cape Town international airport is difficult and distracting for training purposes - single runway/taxi time/ long waits for airline traffic and worse of all being hurried by controllers and requirement often to land long etc.
It is a shame - I am a Capetonian who flies there sometimes and I hate to turn anyone away from Cape Town. The only way that training will become practical in Cape Town if is a small airfield Fisantekraal attracts a serious flying training organisation with a good instructors , good aircraft and a safety culture.
I have flown with Virginia Flight Service in Durban - good instructor and a lovely PA 28R. The airfield at Virginia and surround seems ideal for training - little commercial traffic , a TMA to grapple with etc I will return there for comm training or Fedair also at Virginia.

Would like to hear comments on Progress Flying School in Port Elisabeth

Would like information on any SA training school where I can fly tailwheel?
I know Babcock academy in Joburg used to have an aerobatic Citabria on line with a highly thought of specialised aerobatic/ tailwheel instructor - is he still there? Sorry no name I have left his card in SA

aerobatic sean - keep the blue side down

Hey Sean, I just found this website. They have a Pitts Special for ya. The place is a bit far from Joburg or Cape Town, though.

http://www.flighttraining.co.za/1frames.htm

FTC George
 

I am looking for information about Flight Training College George from people who have trained there recently, or are currently training there.

Regards,
Captwannabe

I trained there a bit over a year ago and found it good, cheap, nice relaxed atmosphere and a nice airport, relatively busy and full I equipped. Send me a PM and ill hook you up with someone who trained there this year! Yes it might be a bit far from What we know about SA - CT and JB but who cares, there is more to SA than those places. George is a provincial capital with around 100K people I have read somewhere, and 10min drive from the beach!:8

If your looking for more information on training in SA you will definately find this website usefull. www.avcom.co.za

A word from the wise I would give two of the schools mentioned a wide berth. Im not going to name them here as Im not prepared to take the fallout :rolleyes: :rolleyes: but your more than welcome to pm me.:ok: :ok: