HELICOPTER TRAINING
BASSAIR (H)PPL, (H)CPL AND Instructor Rating.
Bassair proudly offers the most unique helicopter flight
training
experience the aviation industry has to offer. The flight school
combines helicopter training with an experience of the African
bushveld, providing you with unique opportunities to witness and take
part in conservation projects and wildlife capture and wildlife
darting operations in game reserves country-wide (by special request
only). Bassair has created a unique training facility geared to share
with you a world of conservation, while at the same time providing an
insight into advanced helicopter operations. We also offer advanced
operational training, conducted in the R22, R44, B206, or Alo II. The
Bassair flight training centre is involved in military pilot training
programs.
Your (H)PPL
THE TRAINING HELICOPTER
Bassair Aviation utilizes the agile and maneuverable Robinson R22 for
basic flight training. The R22 is undoubtedly one of the most popular
piston engined, two seat trainers in the world. Training can also be
completed on our Robinson R44 Raven, or Bell 206 III Jet ranger.
Should you, however, wish to train on another type of helicopter, or
on your own helicopter, we will gladly accommodate you. A number of
our students choose to do a conversion onto the R44, or Bell Jet
Ranger once they have obtained their PPL on the R22.
All the required study material and books are provided in your PPL
training kit. The entire course is conducted ‘in house’, including the
restricted radio license, all lectures, briefings and tests.
THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The SACAA requires a minimum of 50 hours of flight training in order
to obtain a PPL (Private pilots license). 35 of these hours are flown
with an instructor in the aircraft (dual flight) and a further 15
hours are flown solo, but still under instructor supervision.
*Although there is no age limit with regard to starting your PPL, you
must be 17 years of age before going solo.
*You must obtain an Aviation approved medical certificate
COSTS
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Payment must be made in advance, usually in the form of a block
payment, for 5, 10, or 15 hours of flying time. You may also pay
for each flying lesson in advance as you progress.
BOOKING FLYING LESSONS
The time required to complete the PPL helicopter training program
varies entirely from person to person, averaging six to seven weeks.
Previous aviation experience may reduce this period. Full time
students will complete the course in six weeks while part time
students will take anything from 3 months, depending on their
availability.
Please note that extra time spent away on bush trips will extend the
training period spent with us. The 50 hours of flight time used in
basic costing is the legal minimum required by the SACAA. On average
our students have logged between 45 and 50 hours before their license
is issued to them. Any additional flight time spent is entirely
dependent on your ability.
Bassair operates six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 07:00h to
18:00h
The flight training time slots are as follows.
07h00 to 09h00
09h00 to 11h00 11h00 to
13h00
14h00 to 16h00
16h00 to 18h00
Students book an instructor and aircraft for a time slot most suitable
to them. We would like you to stay with one instructor for the first 8
hours of training, although we require that you fly with another
instructor before being sent solo.
You will notice that the booking time slots are 2 hours long, allowing
for briefing time, actual flying time and a de-briefing thereafter.
GROUND SCHOOL
There are six theoretical exams that must be written before your final
flight test:
* Air Law
* Radio Telephony Procedures
* Principals Of Flight
* Navigation
* Meteorology
* Engines, airframes and instruments
Bassair aviation offers ground school courses on the following
subjects:
*Radio procedures
*Principles of flight
*Navigation – theory and cross country planning
*Meteorology
*Engines, airframes and instruments, and Airlaw
Attendance of Radio, Meteorology, Navigation and Principles of Flight
lectures is compulsory.
ADVANCED HELICOPTER TRAINING
Advanced Helicopter training is available to licence holders only. You
will benefit from our twenty years commercial experience operating
helicopters in extreme conditions. We have the knowledge and equipment
to set you in the right direction for your professional aviation
career. Our advanced pilot training program aims at grooming pilots to
real world international standards.
* Night rating aprox 10 hours flying
* Instrument rating aprox 20 hours flying
* Type rating – piston (R44) aprox 4 – 8 hours flying
* Type rating – turbine aprox 6 – 8 hours flying
* Advanced training aprox 10 – 15 hours flying
* Mountain flying
HELICOPTER PRIVATE PILOTS LICENCE
WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE – BY SPECIAL REQUEST ONLY
The six week training course is structured accordingly to each
individual’s progress.
1) The initial training takes place at Wonderboom Airport. This phase
includes familiarization and orientation, ground school and
preparation to fly, and basic flying up to solo stage.
At random times during this phase you may have the opportunity to go
into the bush on game capture operations.
2) Once solo, the school will plan away trips for groups of students.
Here you will enjoy the sounds of the bush and clear starry nights,
game viewing, walks and game drives.
3) A consolidation phase back at Wonderboom Airport with flights into
busy air traffic areas near Johannesburg.
4) An advanced training phase, with mountain flying, if your time
permits, on completion of your HPPL.
ACCOMMODATION ON GAME CAPTURE
Due to the variety of locations in which Bassair operates, it is
not possible to predict what type of accommodation will be provided.
This will vary depending on the nature of the wildlife work and the
type of game reserve we are working in. Accommodation could range from
private homes to luxury game lodges. Where applicable, you will be
included in the team, however, extra costs of accommodation and meals
will be charged for separately.
Due to variable factors such as weather conditions, the issuing of
transport and veterinary permits for game, and sudden changes in work
schedules, there is no possible way to guarantee wildlife work ahead
of time in this dynamic industry.
Your (H)CPL
Anyone wishing to be earn a living as a pilot or wishing to fly for
any kind of remuneration needs to obtain a Commercial pilots licence.
Once a student has their PPL, the usual path followed is to attend a
Commercial Ground School, followed by a self study period and then
sitting the CAA Com exams.
Obtaining a Commercial Pilots Licence requires 200 hours of total
helicopter flying time. If you already have a Fixed-Wing Commercial
Licence, the requirement for the helicopter Commercial Licence
requires only a 100 hours on helicopters.
Other requirements are a CPL Medical, General Radio License, 8
examinations written at the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
and a flight test carried out by a Designated Examiner.
Bassair also offers Instructor Ratings
Contact us for costs -
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