I hate it when folks have fun and Im not there. Things are very slow in the tourism side here in Vegas. I think its time for me to get my flight to Africa booked.........
Fred is certififiably insane at times but one of the smoothest Helicopter Pilots on that Continent. He knows his machines. I can only imagine the drive back, 140kph is on the slow side...Stories on me?? from Fred??, I cant believe it...
For those of you who would love to see a nice place. The Area we are discussing is on the web at www.entabeni.co.za The manager there is Ric Wilmot and he runs a tight ship with Royal Service to the guests. Prices are extremely reasonable.

Neville......
Its all your fault. Im arriving in JNB 9 Aug Delta/SAA LAS/ATL/JNB.......Party Time

Hehe… didn’t take a lot of convincing to get you’re a$$ back there. Now did it, bert? :D

cheers!

gents
Any chance you could upload some of the pics to a web site so that some of us office bound chaps could drool?? :cool:

GoAround7 - thanks for the post - especially since its one of only a few actually 'on' topic ;) ;)

But I'm not complaining guys - honest - you're just making me impatient to get over there!! :D :D :D
( Always happy to hold a map if you're stuck for some company on one of these jaunts ;) )

I'm toying with the idea of a jet conversion whilst I'm over - EC120/130 maybe? Not that there's many of them in the UK that I know of. Perhaps I'd be better sticking with the 206...?

p.s. Looks like my Durban trip will be in January.

Trying to plan a few cross country's for whilst I'm there. Day trips and even a couple of overnighters. How far is Cape Town, Jo'Burg or even Sun City from Durban flight time wise? Any suggestions as to a destination greatly appreciated. (Although it sounds like I've just missed the boat for the best x-country!!)

For info - the lovely Racheal at Chopper Flying Services has quoted me R1, 790 (ex vat) for the R22 (about £115+VAT) and R2,884 (ex vat) per hour for the R44 (about £190+VAT) - dual or sfh.


Bert - I'm dead jealous. Wish I could just drop everything and head for the sun. You must really miss that beer at Rotor Arms - a lot!

I am not 100% on the exact times but from Durban, jhb would be around 4 maybe 5 hours flying because you have to cross or go around the dragensberg-mountain range which is quite an amazing sight. The weather will be your “guide”. From jhb (grand cental airport) flying to Sun City will take you about 45mins. Also a great flight as Sun City lies in a volcanic crater with flat earth around. I flew there for my cross-country. Durban to cape-town is quite far and it depends on the route you will take. Overland or following the coast. That will definitely take a couple of hours. But could also be great fun as a stopover holiday on route to c-town.

Hope this helps! :)

"Bert - I'm dead jealous. Wish I could just drop everything and head for the sun. You must really miss that beer at Rotor Arms - a lot!"

Rotorhorn
Its not that I miss the Beer. Its my second home, wife is from SA.
With the Rand as it is one can live good there based on the Dollar and more so on the Pound. The Rotor Arms was built by the SAP Air Wing on station in Pretoria. Its Their Club, and a really neat place. I do hope it stays alive as long as Im able to get up to the Bar. I must say its not as crowded as it once was, and I met some truly good Aviation types and devoted South Africans there.
Its probably the best kept secret in the world, a very beautiful country and some real good folks. It has problems, but there are places here in the states I dont venture into, so if one keeps alert life is OK.
Americans ask me all the time Why do you go to such a place. I can only say, if you havent been there you wouldnt understand....

Rotorhorn

South Africa has that X factor. Entabeni is one of those places within SA that has to be visited to be experienced. Where else do you have to stop walking along the path to the toilet so you dont interupt the Rhinos (yes you read right) that are drinking from the fishpond.

The aviation scene is great there as well. A lot of great people who are very hospitable to say the least. For a Kiwi that visits there a lot it is probably one of the last frontiers when it comes to aviation. I had the chance recently to fly from JoBurg to Nairobi and it was the trip of a lifetime. Houses are cheap and yes there is crime, but hell look at life in NYC or LA. The crime is not much different, just keep your eyes open and you can have a great life there.

Autorotate.

Kenya Game Parks
 

Could any one help me with info about who to contact to find out about flying helicopters in any of Kenya's game parks......I know that flight international had an ad for cessna caravan pilots a couple of years ago, but having contacted the WWF for a list of game parks, I've not found any which employ full time heli pilots. Any one got any ideas, or any experience in this type of flying, I would be grateful for any suggestions Cheers.

Not right up to date, but in 2000 it was claimed that Africair Inc., PO Box 165139, Miami FL 33116-5139, USA +1 305 255 6973 fax 7974 or 4064 [email protected] Sole distributor for Cessna aircraft and Bell h/c in the majority of sub-Saharan African countries provide full helicopter support to the police in Kenya [KPAW] and Tanzania [TPAW] as well as the Kenya Pipeline and Wildlife Management.

Its a lead anyway.

You could try contacting Harry Trempenau (spl) at the Aero Club of East Africa on [email protected]

He seems to have quite a bit to do with aviation and the game parks.

If anyone has any contacts not necessarily limited to Kenya, but involving animal conservation/game parks etc, that would also be appreciated, thanks

Fiona Luckhurst, who is CFI at the Shadow Flight Centre, Old Sarum was I believe a game warden in (Kenya?) before she took up QFIing. I don't believe she's on Pprune but is in the usual phone books.

G

See if we can get the Mod to move this to African Aviation, I think we could get more response.

Bert

I've had a link to this thread in the Africa forum for a few days.

Heliport

Thanks for the various suggestions which I'm now following up......I've also now put a similar note on the Africa board, cheers, Andy:ok:

Helicopters in Kenya
 

I returned to UK after 6yrs flying a C208 in support of humanitarian aid in East & Central Africa. I was based in Nairobi and I am a helicopter pilot. There is not a lot of helicopter activity in Kenya or in that part of the world because the distances are large and the countries are very well served with "Bush" airstrips. Anyone who can afford to fly is likely to have property which will have an airstrip or room to build one and if they live in Nairobi and want to fly out, there is bound to be an airstrip at their destination. Labour is very cheap so taxis cost next to nothing to meet you at an airstrip. Historically there have always been lots of light aircraft. The game parks have airstips and low level flight over the parks is forbidden. KWS (Kenya Wild Life Service) have an airwing which has/had a Longranger and Hughes 500 in addition to a C208 and various tail-draggers. There are a couple of private AS350s and the odd Jetranger and B47. I'm sure helicopter numbers will increase in the future. The military have a few helicopters that are occcasionally to be seen flying and the police have a few old Russian machines which spend most of their time in the hanger or sunning themselves outside! I think the word "corruption" featured in their procurement!

Building Hours in South Africa
 

I am looking for information on heli schools in South Africa. Do any do good deals for hour builders who need as much time as they can get in a few weeks? Particularly do any hire out B206's as I am rated on these and turbine is always good to get, especially as its probably a damn sight cheaper down south than round these parts. All help and opinions are appreciated.
PS: Gunship, you probably know the territory as well as anyone, any thoughts?

As to renting a helicopter. Unless you show up with a ton of money, chances are slim. It seems universal that you can rent Airplanes and you can work for Helicopter companies.....Insurance is the usual limiting factor...

Hedski
Try Alpine Aviation at Grand Central - www.alpineaviation.co.za

They have R22s, R44s, B206s, B407s and I think EC120s and prices are good.

Helo flying in Africa?
 

Hi all,

I want to find out what the helicopter job market is like in sub saharan Africa. My wife and I have worked in Africa before as volunteers and it is in our plans to move back to this magnificent continent. At the moment I'm still training as helo pilot in the US and I know I'm still a long way off from flying professionally, but I would like some answers to a few questions;

1. What kind of license will I need to fly? FAA, JAA, ect....
2. What are the experience requirements?
3. What kind of helo jobs are there? I am very interested in flying for humanitarian aid.
4. Where can it get more info about helo flying in Africa?

Thanks for your help in advance.

I've posted a link in the African section.
Heliport

WFP
 

Gunship,

thanks for the low down on helo flying for humanitarian missions, too bad they only use east bloc pilots and material.

What about smaller NGO's? Are there any smaller charitable organizations that operate helo's?

thanx in advance for reply.

I came across some times ago in Cameroun, an AS 350 operated by an organization called "Heli-Mission"....
They were involved in some humanitarian tasks, but I couldn't get more infos about them. Probably google knows something about.
Another aviation humanitarian linked to "medecins sans frontières" is called "Aviation sans frontières" but they operate fixed wings only in Africa as far as I know.

Good luck anyway.

Try Helimission based in Switzerland. A bloke called Tanner used to run it - 00-4171 3437171. They use low time pilots of a religious nature and I know the organisation is funded by US religious bodies. They have been known to do some pretty despicable stuff culturally but on balance do provide a service in areas which otherwise would have nothing.

I've come across them in Ethiopia and Indonesia.

I checked out Helimission around 1990, They didn´t seem to want to pay anything, wanted volunteers and feelt like some religious fanatics to me, never talked to them again.

It may be different now, at the time they were even operating some 212´s.

But do not work for organizations like these for free or even low pay, believe me everybody else there in the management of the organisation is not there for free!

The Heli Mission Website:
www.helimission.ch
:ok:

thanx to everyone for giving me the info.

Maybe we can keep this thread alive by posting what kind of helo jobs you guys have in Africa as sort of inspiration to new helo pilots wanting to work in Africa.

Flying in Africa
 

There are a few South African Companies that do a bit of work in Africa aswell.
Try Titan Helicopters or NAC Helicopters.
I've done a bit of work for one of the above in Africa flying for the WWF.

Any rotorheads familiar with the Gambia?
 

Hi

Sorry it's not a real Rotorheads subject, but are any of you guys/girls familiar with holidays in the Gambia. I'm shoving the wife and mother in law away for a few days and the Gambia is a possibility, Beirut was fully booked!

Any first hand knowledge/advice on hotels, areas to stay/avoid would be greatly appreciated. Two hotel currently under consideration are the Hotel Atlantic and the Palm Grove, both at Banjul.

Many Thanks

TeeS

No personal knowledge, but a few UK microlight schools I believe do flying training out there. A quick web search might come up with a contact who might be helpful.

G

The Kariba. Highly reccommended. Used as crew hotel for UK airlines, and probably this best hotel in BJL

TeeS,
Personally I like the Senegambia. I was last there a few months ago. The rooms are passable, the staff friendly, the food good, the gardens beautiful and the swimming pools nice.
Any of the good quality hotels in the resort areas are reasonable, and better than staying in Banjul itself.
One thing to watch out for if you're sending unescorted ladies there is that there are quite a few European women who visit the Gambia to meet the local chaps, many of whom are waiting to meet them in the local bars.
The weather at this time of the year is good and it's a nice place to spend a week away, even if scenically a bit unexciting. Most of the hotels can arrange visits to local villages, canoe trips, hippo viewing etc. Prices are not tgo high and the local beer (Julbrew) is passable. Hope the ladies have a good time

Thanks for that guys.

Cheers

TeeS

John Bassi Helicopters
 

OK it's me again........:p

Yup im still researching all options for getting my CPL(H), and have now been directed to South Africa.

Believe me when I say I am getting giddy with the schools, options, visas, currency conversion, and the reputation of the schools supplying the CPL.:ugh:

Every time I think I have cracked it, hey presto, another option pops up, but being prudent I will explore all avenues.

So getting back to SA, I have just posted in African Aviation the following: -


"Any insights to John Bassi Helicopters would be greatly received, or any indication of a good school to get my CPL (H) within SA".

So yet again I am putting it out to tender and any assistance would be greatly received

As far as I know, most SA Schools only issue SA licences, so on return home, a conversion to JAA Licence would be needed.
Also money for flights, accomodation, food etc. You may end up paying very similar to what you would back in the UK.

I looked at all the options, and reverted back to the UK, due to start the commercials in the next month or so distance (cannot afford to quit work).

Everyone is to their own, but if it doesn't feel right, walk away - you are taking a big enough risk already

Don't have any experience with the Bassi programme driectly, but when I was going through the same process I got the brochures and spoke to the SA school who administer it.

In the end I calculated the 'loaded' hourly rate for each school (i.e. including ground time required, extra hours, sim time etc).

On that basis, the SA schools even with the weak Rand were v. expensive - almost as much as home. The main reason is that the SA (and many other) schools don't include ground school, sim time, exam costs etc etc - all the things that will be necessary for a good chance at a commercial license.

The one thing that looked good about the Bassi programme was that you got some good mustering experience - but even so, Ranch's seem to prefer cattle men trained in heli flying rather than pilots with no direct Cattle experience.

r.

Low timer jobs in South Africa?
 

Hi

I'm trying to figure out the situation in South Africa.
I didn't find much helpful information on the south-africa forum, so I try to start something here.
Does anyone have information about:

-visa for europeans
-typical low timer jobs (about 200 hours R-22 & Schweizer 300)
-requirements for a flight instructor license
-companys to contact
-things 'ya need to know'
-situation for helicopter pilots in Cape Town
-salaries and living costs

That's a whole bunch of questions, but every bit of usefull information is highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

8 & 4 in Africa
 

Sounds as if the change to 8 & 4 is going ahead for BHL. I think it will have a lot of people looking elsewhere as though the money is good, quality of life is worth a damn sight more IMHO. Never mind - doubtless the company will fill the void with cheaper more desperate individuals. Its safe to say a lot of people are already putting feelers out and I can't blame them. Two months in that place at a time is a lot to withstand, regardless of the few stalwarts who seem to follow the notion that it's all part of life's rich experience. BULLS**T !! Its nothing to do with that at all. People work there for the time off and the money and if anyone says otherwise then I would doubt they are sound of mind. There are a million and one better places to work (granted for less dosh) but you have to decide what is most important to you. Best I start looking around for alternatives

999driver do you have a contract for employment there? Does it give BHL the right to change your roster without your agreement? If not, consider getting legal advice. A change enforced on you may be worth a challenge. Good luck!