SEATTLE, November 30, 2011 – Boeing (NYSE: BA) is expanding its partnerships in Africa, today announcing an agreement to jointly offer a comprehensive pilot training program with 43 Air School (Pty) Ltd., Africa’s largest flight training organization. The agreement reflects a shared commitment by Boeing and 43 Air School to maintain and enhance aviation safety in Africa and around the world. Participants in the program will benefit from high-quality training at the “ab initio,” or basic, level delivered by a world-class, experienced flight school and at the commercial jet level, delivered by Boeing. The three-phase program is designed to provide a candidate with no prior flying experience the opportunity to progress seamlessly through professional training to full competence and accreditation -- from ... Read more...

While the nation celebrates Women’s Month, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport bursary scheme produced its first female pilot Oyama Matomela, who qualified as a commercial pilot with an instrument rating. This comes after the 19 year old lady completed her studies and obtained her pilots license with the internationally acclaimed 43 Air school in Port Alfred. “We salute this young lady, who worked very hard in a male dominated environment and made full use of the opportunity she was offered by the Department through our bursary scheme,” says MEC Marawu. Matomela, who hails from Port Elizabeth, began her studies at 43 Air school in January 2010 and is fortunate enough that her qualification comes with an immediate job offer from the SAPS ... Read more...

43 Air School’s Director of Marketing, Dave Howarth attended the celebrations in Juba, South Sudan, on 9 July 2011. The South Sudan Government and South Sudan People’s Liberation Army have a long standing relationship with 43 Air School who were contracted to provide pilot training for the SPLA. It was a proud moment for all to see a formation of four MIL-17 helicopters; flown by 43 Air School trained pilots. The MIL-17s flew with the South Sudan flag lowered below each helicopter and wowed the thousands of people who had gathered in Juba for the celebrations. Read more...

High flying SAX cadets Adnaan Khan (28) and Tshepho Lepota (24) celebrated obtaining their Pilot Wings at 43 Air School, Port Alfred, on Thursday 19th of May 2011. Both pilots completed the Commercial Pilots License skills test on Tuesday 17th of May and Wednesday 18th of May respectively – passing with flying colours! Chosen out of an initial group of 49 applicants who were selected for psychometric assessment in February 2010, Khan and Lepota are the first out the current 12 cadets receiving pilot training to complete the course and have both excelled during the training program. A 96.5% average was achieved by Khan for his Commercial Pilot Theoretical Examinations and he passed all 8 examinations on the first attempt. ... Read more...

Africa’s largest (ATO) Air Training Organization, 43 Air School, officially opened its state of the art ATC Training Centre on the 6th of May 2011. Attended by the Chief of the (SAAF)South African Air Force, Lt. General Carlo Gagiano and the (EC) Eastern Cape Government MEC for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Hon. Thandiswa Marawu. The MEC, during her address, said that ATC training formed part of the provinces Blue Sky program which seeks to develop skills in the Aviation Sector targeting historically disadvantaged individuals and that 43 Air School will play a large role in training local candidates through sponsored training programs, further strengthening the ties between local government and 43 Air School. The function was attended by numerous Government and Air ... Read more...

43 Air School is proud to announce that we now offer an Integrated ATPL Course at our Port Alfred campus. The course is fully approved by the South African CAA and allows students to study directly towards their Airline Transport Pilot License without the need of first completing their PPL. All phases of the course are carefully structured so that the aspiring student can save time and money when compared to the more traditional modular course. Enquiries: Michelle Townsend +27 (0) 46 624 2433 Read more...

43 Air School was proud to host the Kenya Airways delegation comprising of Capt. Paul Mwangi (Director Flight Operations) and Capt. Joseph Opere (Head of Flight Operations Training). The predominant reason for the visit, which was at 43 Air School’s invitation, was to assess the school’s quality management systems and compare 43 Air School’s product offering and systems with Progress Flight Academy, who are Kenya Airways’ alternate pilot training service provider. The delegation also met with their students that are currently training at 43 Air School. The meeting went extremely well, with the delegation confirming their approval of 43 Air School as Kenya Airways’ supplier of choice and has already confirmed the next group of students for the February ... Read more...

NAC, through its wholly owned subsidiary 43 Air School, is the largest Piper fleet operator in Africa. As a result of this longstanding relationship with Piper, NAC is delighted to announce their recent appointment as Authorised Distributor for Piper Aircraft as from 01 February 2011. The Piper brand will return to its natural home at NAC’s Wonderboom, Pretoria facility where Chris Briers and his team are at the helm of the marketing and sales effort. In addition, Attie Niemann and his team at 43 Air School will sell Piper products through their growing Sales division in Port Alfred. As part of the new commitment, the 43 Air School fleet will soon be supplemented with four brand new Piper Warrior aircraft, equipped with ... Read more...

The Air Traffic Services (ATS) system comprises a vast network of people and equipment that ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft all over the world.  The primary purpose of ATS systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other support for pilots as required.  Air traffic Controller’s (ATC) coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes stay a safe distance apart from each other.  Although their immediate concern is safety, controllers must also direct planes efficiently to minimize delays. The worldwide need for ATC’s has never been greater with many ATS facilities operating with staff levels below the accepted norm.  In ... Read more...

43 Air School now offers Turbine Ratings on the Bell 206 helicopter and Cessna 208 Caravan. Please contact the Marketing Department on training@43airschool.com. Read more...

It is with great sadness that we announce that our former colleague and friend, Russell Langley, passed away last evening. Russell joined 43 Air School on 01 February 2003. He was highly respected throughout the entire company and was, in fact, seen by many who worked with him as an aviation icon. His contributions to this company during his years of dedicated and selfless services as Standards and later Chief Flying Instructor, Designated Examiner, Advisor and as friend to many, will not be forgotten. Our sincere condolences to Barbara and their children on their great loss. Read more...

SA Express Airline informed the school on 23 March 2010 that 43 Air School has been awarded the tender to train their cadet pilots. The awarded tender is for the training of 10 cadet pilots per year over a three year period. The training is set to commence at 43 Air School's Port Alfred campus during April 2010. Enquiries: Frik Schoombee +27 (0) 82 416 8431 Read more...

It was a very proud moment for Mrs Tersia Strydom of Johannesburg when her son Andre emerged from ZS-SVB seconds after having heard from the CAA designated examiner that he had passed his Commercial Pilots Licence and Instrument Rating Flight Tests. What made it very special indeed was that a few hours before, Mrs Strydom's daughter, Riette, had exactly the same good news for her mother! Though we have had siblings graduate from the school, this never before has happened on the same day! The following are their replies to a few questions we put to the newly qualified duo: What made you decide to become a Pilot? Riette: Through my mother's company, I got to meet several pilots from different backgrounds and was ... Read more...

Attie Niemann, former Group Executive Director, Operations of National Airways Corporation (NAC) has been appointed CEO of 43 Air School, with effect 5 February 2009. Announcing Mr Niemann's appointment, NAC Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the 43 Air School Board, Martin Banner said, among others, that Attie was instrumental in NAC's acquisition of 43 Air School as well as the development of the 43 Advanced Training Centre at Lanseria Airport, Johannesburg. He added that the business had grown significantly under Attie's watchful eye. 'We have exciting plans in place for the future growth of 43 Air School and I am sure that under Attie’s direct guidance, the team of dedicated professionals at 43 will exceed our expectations' Mr Banner said. Read more...

On Friday 26th June 2009 43 Air School celebrated its 21st anniversary. The school at the same time inaugurated its new state-of-the-art Piper Lecture Complex comprising of 7 lecture halls and an on-line exam centre. Ms N Kiviet, Premier of the Eastern Cape Province inaugurated the complex followed by a luncheon hosted by the school for some 160 guests. During her keynote address, Premier Kiviet lauded the school for its achievements and contributions, not only in local or provincial terms, but also on a much wider scale. The Premier made particular mention of the close co-operation and partnership between the school and the Government of the Eastern Cape and indicated that she was particularly delighted to see what had been achieved ... Read more...

43 Air School recently took delivery of R22 /Bell 206 procedural trainer at its main campus in Port Alfred. The state-of-the-art device has full 'surround'-projection and enables the school to now do instrument procedural training for its rotary wing students on a rotary wing device. The school now has seven procedural training devices for basic, advanced and post CPL instrument procedural and Multi Crew Co-ordination training at its Port Alfred and Bulembu campusses. Read more...