SERVING CLIENT NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN CAPE FOR THE PAST 31 YEARS
Mossel Bay Helicopters was established 31 years ago by the owners, Kobus Snr and Lizelle Crous, and it is stationed at its own base in Mossel Bay. This is where it serves client needs of Mossel Bay, Hartenbos, as well as the rest of the Garden Route and Western Cape. The business has grown to become one of the most recognized names in the helicopter industry and is renowned for its advanced and difficult commercial mission abilities.
It can safely be stated that Mossel Bay Helicopters is recognized as one of the most advanced and experienced commercial, mission critical and mountain helicopter operators in the Westen Cape. Mossel Bay Helicopters is identified as the leading operator for game catching and game counting operations in the entire Cape region as far as the Free State. We are highly skilled and experienced with firefighting and are credited with saving in excess of a R100 million worth of property in recent firefighting missions. We have also played a critical role in many search and rescue missions.
Part of the highly successful Mossel Bay Helicopters Group, the Training School enjoys a flawless stature as one of the leaders in the training of students from across country. If a student wants to make helicopter flying a career, or to fly for business or pleasure, the Training School offers the finest professional ground school and flying instruction. The Training School offers an impressive fleet of Robinson helicopters for training.
Mossel Bay Helicopters are:
Mossel Bay Helicopters’ thorough approach to training ensures that learners set targets, gain focus, become confident & learn control to achieve a successful career in the helicopter industry.
HELICOPTER INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT
Book an Introductory Flight to experience flying first hand. These flights are inexpensive and will assist you in deciding whether flying is for you. A briefing is included before and after the flight, during which any questions you might have will be answered, thereafter a personal training course will be devised to suit your individual needs. You are now ready to book your place and begin your very first lesson.
WHAT IS THE FIRST PHASE OF TRAINING?
A Student Pilot Licence & Private Pilot Licence enables you to fly an aircraft as pilot in command and carry passengers but not for remuneration. The duration of the course is dependent on each individual and could take from 6 weeks to a year depending on time you have available. You will need to pass your medical examination, eye test and chest X-ray test, as well as have a minimum of 50 hours TOTAL FLYING TIME and pass 7 subjects to complete your SPL & PPL. Mossel Bay Helicopters’ experienced instructor will assist you every step of the way.
WHERE TO NEXT?
If you decide to make flying a career, you will need to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence. For this you need to complete a minimum of 200 hours TOTAL FLYING TIME, 100 hours as Pilot In Command (PIC) and pass 8 Commercial Pilot examinations before you are eligible for a Commercial flight test.
WHAT ABOUT A CAREER IN FLYING?
A career as a Commercial Pilot is highly rewarding and can be very diverse. If you enjoy a challenge, travel and working with people then you are the perfect candidate.
PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE (PPL)
The Helicopter Private Pilot Licence (CPL) Course will allow you to act as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot in non-commercial operations. The exception to this for a PPL holder with instructor or examiner privileges, who can be paid for flight instruction and conducting skill tests for LAPL or PPL and any associated ratings or certificates.
COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE (CPL)
The Helicopter Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Course will allow you to obtain the licence required to act as a PIC in commercial flight, perform aerial work in single and multi-engine helicopters. The student must hold a Helicopter Private Pilot Licence prior to starting the Helicopter Commercial Pilot Course.
HELICOPTER SLING LOAD RATING
After a total of 150 FLYING HOURS you can start with your ratings. This rating is a requirement for helicopter pilots who intend working in the technically difficult areas of firefighting, search & rescue and mining. Sling load operation requires a high level concentration and technical competence. By completing our course you will increase your flying ability and career prospects.
NIGHT RATING
To fly as PIC at night, with or without passengers, a helicopter pilot must hold a helicopter Night Rating. A pilot must complete specialised flight and ground training to meet the necessary requirements laid down by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), before undertaking a night flight. Flying out of any area at night, acquaints a pilot to various conditions experienced at night which includes the black hole effect.
HELICOPTER GAME / LIVESTOCK
Our Training School offers a unique opportunity to combine helicopter lessons with game capture and wildlife conservation in South Africa. Mossel Bay Helicopters is one of SA’s leading game capture and game relocation experts.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
Obtaining a Flight Instructor Rating will enable you to apply for employment at a flying school to teach future pilots to fly. An instructor’s rating improves your abilities and skills, increasing your employment opportunities. The course takes approximately 3 to 4 months to complete.
Download the brochure and registration form.
WHAT AGE MUST I BE TO START MY HELICOPTER LICENCE?
You can start your training and obtain your Student Pilot Licence when you are 16 years old, but must be 17 to complete your Private Pilot Licence, 18 to complete your Commercial Pilot Licence and 21 years old to complete your Airline Transport Pilot Licence.
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET MY LICENCE?
You need a valid flight medical which you can get from a SACAA licenced doctor. The examination consists of a vision test, hearing test, colour-blind test and basic physical. Although there aren’t any other specific requirements to start your licence, we would recommend that you take Maths, Geography and Science as subjects.
WHAT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE DO I NEED?
The CAA issues two classes of medical certificates - A Class 1 is required for pilots who exercise Commercial & Airline Transport Pilot privileges. A first class medical is valid for 12 months. If over the age of 40 the medical is only valid for 6 months. A Class 2 is required for Student Pilot or Private Pilot Licences. This medical is valid for 24 months but only 12 months if you are over 40.
HOW DO I GET MY PPL?
Flight Instruction: The first 50 hours are towards your PPL you fly with a GRIII or GRII instructor teaching you how to fly the aircraft. 15 Hours of the total hours you will fly solo.
Ground Instruction: Before every flight the instructor will brief you on the exercise you will practice in the air. He will demonstrate the procedures on a one basis in a private briefing room. After your flight, the instructor will have a debrief session where you have the opportunity to ask questions.
Ground School: You need to complete theoretical subjects within your PPL. There will be scheduled classes per subject in groups or one-on-one.
SACAA Online Exam: After you have completed the ground school of the theoretical subjects you must complete online exams which are compiled by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. For your PPL, Night Rating, Ratio Telophony and Instructors examinations you can write at any SACAA accredited test centre.
Flight Test: After you passed your theoretical exams and completed the PPL practical syllabus you will be tested with a Grade II instructor.
WHAT SUBJECTS DO I NEED FOR MY PPL?
CAA written subjects needed to get your PPL are: Air Law; Navigation; Meteorology; Principles of Flight; Aircraft Technical General; Flight Performance and Planning; Human Performance; and Restricted Radio Licence (not written through SACAA).
The pass-mark for these CAA exams are 75%.
HOW DO I GET MY CPL?
After you have completed your PPL, you start building hours to reach a total of 200 hours. You need 100 Pilot in Command hours and the remaining 50 hours, you can complete different ratings like Night, Instrument and Instructor’s rating.
Ground School: You need to complete 10 theoretical subjects within your CPL. There will be scheduled classes per subject in groups or one-on-one.
SACAA Online Exams: After you have completed the ground school of the theoretical subjects you must complete exams which are compiled by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. For your Night Rating, Radio Telephony and Instructors examinations you can write at any SACAA accredited test centre. For you CPL exams you must write at the Accredited out centres, which only have monthly sittings, or a the SACAA offices in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Flight Test: After you passed your theoretical examinations and completed the CPL practical syllabus, you will be tested with a Designated Flight Examiner.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE MY LICENCE?
It all depends on your personal requirements and schedule. On average you can complete your PPL within 5 to 6 months and your CPL within 18 months if you are a fulltime student. It will depend on your performance. Weather permitting, you can complete your PPL licence within 6-8 weeks.
HOW LONG IS MY LICENCE VALID FOR?
Private, Commercial, Instrument and ATP certificates are valid for 10 years but you are required by the SACAA to keep it current every year as well as being in possession of a valid medical certificate.
DO YOU NEED A FULL PAYMENT UPFRONT?
You don’t have to pay for the entire course upfront, but you must pay a deposit of R30 000 when you enrol as a student, and thereafter you must always be in credit for your next flight/exam.
WHAT JOBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PILOTS?
There are a huge variety of career paths as a helicopter pilot to choose from. Instruction, VIP charters, Fire Fighting, Scenic Tours, Slinging, Emergency Services, Crop Spraying, Off-shore and Game Capture is just to name a few.
DO YOU OFFER BURSARIES?
Mossel Bay Helicopters does not offer any bursaries, but will make an announcement should the situation change.
WILL YOU OFFER ME EMPLOYMENT AFTER I GET MY LICENCE?
If a job opportunity should be available, Mossel Bay Helicopters will certainly favour our graduate students.
Download the brochure and registration form.