Training in South Africa

[Kawil6]

I am really passionate about going to flight school and I am looking at different options based on my expenses. I don't want to take out a huge loan and the expenses are a little high throughout the US. I found that flight schools in South Africa are really cheap and affordable. Has anyone attended flight schools in South Africa? Would I be able to use their training and certifications to get pilot jobs in the US? What are your thoughts on going over seas for flight training?

 

[JHW]

Yes, I started out flying in south africa in the early 90's. You'll find the costs are reasonable by world standards but quite expensive by US standards.

 

[James331]

You could.

Smart move would be to train in RSA, get your first job in Bots or Namibia, hit 1000tt can move over to TZ and fly turbine, then come home and convert (if needed, read below) and walk into a job.


If I were to train in RSA, I'd do it with CC, I've heard great things and like his style and hes a FAA CFI flying a N reg plane., plus it would be a hell of a time, probably could also apprentice there in trade for housing or something.

http://www.bushair.co.za/home.html

It says advanced training, but money talks and I bet if you hit it off and offered to help around the airport it would out you miles ahead of some ERU or ATP Inc grad.

 

[ettsn]

I can't offer much advice, except to say I *love* South Africa and would envy your experience, should you decide to go this route. Literally combining two of my favorite things, flying and the Transvaal.

 

[Kawil6]

The website looks like a great option. Your post really put me at ease in choosing to go that route. I really appreciate your input. How did some of you get started flying?

 

[JHW]

The website looks like a great option. Your post really put me at ease in choosing to go that route. I really appreciate your input. How did some of you get started flying?

I was working for an oilfield services company on the ground. We also had guys flying surplus O-2's doing pipeline inspection. One of them was an alcoholic and unreliable. My boss knew that I had messed around at my neighbor's farm strip as a kid with his aeronca champ. He put me in the O-2 and I learned to fly it over a couple weeks of inspecting pipe with him.

 

[Earth-Bound Misfit]

I went to Port Elizabeth in 2013 for a few weeks. I can tell you that the cost of living there is very affordable. A Big Mac meal at McDonald's was less than $3, and a can of coke was about 40 cents. A 3-course meal at the most expensive restaurant (nice one, too) was about $20. A posh, beachfront house will run about $250,000.

Evidence of crime is abundant, however. They have armed security guards all over the place, and lots of security cameras, fences, window bars, etc. It was also the only place I have ever seen a Ferrari 458 in person, so go figure.

I imagine that it would be much less expensive overall, to take flying lessons there.
I do want to go back and visit again someday, and not while on business!