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.