Introduction
At G4 Helicopter Academy we aim to provide unparalleled excellence in helicopter
training while embracing the client’s needs and cost constraints.
We are confident that our in house facilities, as well as those accessed through
strategic partnerships will assist in providing students with a diverse range of options,
making the training experience seamless and effective.
In addition to our training program, G4 also offer a charter service, logistics and
Aircraft sales service.
It is our hope that the following information will provide a clear and concise overview
of our operations. We welcome any questions you may have and look forward to
hearing from you soon.
Aircraft
Our fleet of aircraft ensures that you
will have the best possible choices
when it comes to your training. We are
able to offer students a range of piston
and turbine aircraft including:
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Robinson R44
Bell 206 Jet Ranger
Bell 407
Eurocopter AS350
Schweizer / Sikorsky S300
Location
G4 helicopter Academy is located just 1 hrs drive from
Durban at Margate Airport on the South African East
Coast.
The temperate weather provides
students with the ideal
opportunity to take to the air resulting in a more fluid training regimen and less time
away from home.
We are also ideally located for altitude training with the Drakensberg mountain range
only a short hop from Margate.
A variety of shopping malls as well as wide choice of recreational activities will keep
students busy in their free time. Margate’s main beach currently holds Blue Flag
status making it a perfect place to unwind on those off days.
Facilities
Our facilities include:
 Fully equipped lecture rooms.
 Online examination facility for Private Pilot’s licence
examinations.
 Pilot shop
 Nearby restaurant
These facilities are well maintained and easily accessible to students, providing a
productive environment as well as assistance on a full time basis.
Instruction
G4 helicopter Academy makes use of both full time and part time instructors allowing
student’s access to a broad base of experience in a diverse range of possible ratings
etc…
Our instructors have served in both the civil and military sectors, which allows us to
cater for the very specific requirements of our clients and students. While the military
sector generally requires a more specific regimen with a great deal more structure for
their students we also understand the need to provide flexibility to our private
students.
Syllabus
The syllabus followed is prescribed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority
(SACAA) and is laid out as follows:
(Please be advised that the syllabus may be amended from time to time by the SACAA,
without prior notice and changes to our syllabus may therefore occur as a result)
Student Pilots Licence
1. Air Law
2. General Test
3. Restricted or General radio operators licence.
Theoretical Examinations PPL
1. Air Law
2. Flight Planning
3. Human Performance
4. Principles of Flight
5. Meteorology
6. Navigation
7. Engines & Airframes
Students have the option of attending lectures on the above subjects, or may choose to
self-study. The above PPL (private pilots licence) examinations can be written on our
accredited online examination system making the process significantly less stressful
for students.
A student must have obtained his/her Student Pilots licence before they are able to fly
solo and the PPL examinations must be completed in order to obtain a Private Pilots
license. In addition to having completed the stipulated flight-training syllabus, the
SACAA prescribes the following sequence of exercises for Helicopter pilot training.
Sequence of Flying Exercises - PPL
Exercise Number
1
1B
2
3
4
5
5E
6A
6B
6C
6D
7
8A
8B
8C
9
10
11A
11B
11C
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22A
22B
22C
23
24
25
26
27
28A
28B
Description of Exercise
Familiarization with Aircraft
Emergency drills (ground emergencies)
Preparation for & action after flight
Air experience
Effects of controls
Power & Attitude changes
Emergencies (breaking and steering)
Straight & level
Climbing
Descending
Turning
Basic Autorotation
Hovering
Hover taxiing & spot turns
Hovering, taxiing emergencies
Take-off & landing
Transitions from hover to climb & approach to hover
Circuit, approach & landing
Steep & limited power approaches & landings
Emergency procedures
First Solo
Sideways & backwards hover & maneuvering
Spot turns
Hover out of ground effect (OGE), vortex ring
Simulated engine off landings (EOL)
Advanced Autorotation
Practice forced landing
Steep turns
Transitions
Quickstops
Navigation
Navigation problems at low heights & in reduced
visibility
Radio navigation
Advanced take-off, landings, transitions
Sloping ground
Limited power
Confined areas
Basic instrument flying
Night flying (if night rating is required)
Night cross-country (if night rating is required)
Duration PPL
The South African Civil Aviation Authority requires a minimum of 50 hrs to
complete the PPL (Private Pilots License). It is then stipulated that a student must
have completed a minimum of 15 hrs of solo flight of which a minimum of 5 hours of
solo navigations must have been completed.
Although the above minima are legally required, a recent survey conducted with
Helicopter pilots revealed an average PPL completion time of closer to 65hrs due to
the complex nature of the Helicopter as opposed to fixed wing aircraft.
In addition to the practical flying hours, a student must also complete the
examinations as laid out above under Theoretical Examinations PPL. Again a full
time student will complete the curriculum in a shorter period however it must be
stipulated that the time taken to complete these subjects will be solely dependant on
the student’s aptitude.
Generally a student should expect to take a minimum of 5 months to complete both
the Student and Private Pilots License.
Commercial Pilots License (CPL)
Students who choose to follow the route to the commercial pilot’s license are
currently required to complete the SACAA syllabus as well complete the required
minimum flying experience.
Theoretical Examinations CPL
1. Helicopter Technical & General
2. Human Performance
3. Meteorology
4. Flight Planning
5. Air Law
6. Instruments
7. Radio Aids
8. Navigation
Practical Flying CPL
The minimum requirement for a commercial pilot’s license is 200hrs of total flying
time of which a minimum of 100hrs must be logged as pilot in command.
Of course the exact breakdown and structure of a students hour building will depend
on the ratings (i.e.; Instrument rating, instructors rating, night rating etc…) to be
completed.
A full time Commercial student should expect to take a minimum of 12 months to
complete the Commercial pilots license from start to finish, however this is again
dependant on the students aptitude and dedication.
Accommodation
Students may take advantage of our live-in student
accommodation which is situated a short distance from the
flying school.
Our accommodation offers:
 Shared or Single student rooms
 Fully equipped
 TV
 Satellite TV
 Bath & Shower
 Self catering
 Laundry service
 Maid service
What do you need to do?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Register
Pay deposit
Chest X-Ray
Flight Medical (with an approved South African Aviation Medical Examiner)
Costing Estimate
Please be advised the below estimate may change without prior notice as many of the
costs ie: fuel, SACAA charges, Medicals etc… are beyond the control of. G4
helicopter Academy
All prices below Exclude VAT
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PPL-_Schweizer /
Sikorsky S300
Books
Restricted Radio License
Language Proficiency test
Exam Fees
SACAA Issue Fees
Ground school Lectures
PPL Flying & Instruction (65 hrs)
Fuel (65 hrs @ R10.00/L @ 38L / hr)
QTY
1
1
1
7
1
7
65
65
Unit Cost
R 2,500.00
R 950.00
R 700.00
R 250.00
R 430.00
R 1,500.00
R 1,950.00
R 380.00
Total
Total Cost (excl
VAT)
R 2,500.00
R950.00
R 700.00
R1750.00
R430.00
R 10,500.00
R 126,750.00
R 24,700.00
R 168,280.00
Robinson R44 Conversion
RH44 Conversion (Suggested) approx 5 hrs
RH44 Conversion Fuel (5hrs @ 60l/hr @ R10.00/L)
5
5
R 3,550
R 600
Total
R 17,750.00
R 3,000.00
R 20,750.00
Night Rating (suggested)
5 hrs on simulator
10 hrs on Schweizer 300CBI
Fuel (10hrs @ 38L/hr @ R10.00/L)
5
10
10
R 500
R 1,950
R 380
Total
R 2,500.00
R 19,500.00
R 3,800.00
R 25,800.00
Hour Building
Hour Building on Schweizer 300CBI (Balance of
hours)
Fuel (115hrs @ 38L/hr @ R10.00/L)
115
115
R 1,950
R 380
Total
R 224,250.00
R 43,700.00
R 267,950.00
8
1
1
R 1,500
R 800
R 1,000
Total
R 12,000.00
R 800.00
R 1,000.00
R 13,800.00
Commercial License Sundries
Commercial Ground school
General Radio License
Class 1 Flight Medical
Total Estimate for Commercial Pilots License + R44 Conv + Night Rating
R 496,580.00
Students who wish to complete additional ratings & conversions such as instrument
rating, instructors rating and type ratings should expect amendments to the above total
price.