NEWS

Three Years celebration for 303 Squadron Flight School

Just before the end of 2006 we celebrated third anniversary of our operation. This is three years on our own, but if we take into consideration that we were registered in 2002 this is not bad presence on the market. Business structure remain as we decided a year ago as a family adventure. We are very popular - special for gyrocopter training. Immediate plan is to train next instructor on gyroplanes. We hope to have Him ready about May 2007. New year also should give us  some training in IF, night flying as well as multiengine. We have also in pipe line some business plans with promotion of BRAVO aeroplane and other aircraft...gyroplanes. Our "Jungmann" project is also about completion in Poland and we hope demonstrate "Jungmann" in SA in course of 2007.

Two years for 303 SQUADRON Flight School

Next November (2005) and next inspection from SA CAA, is a mile stone in our Squadron history. Second year of flying give us number of new pilot licences and lot of fun. Joshua flown more than 750 instruction hours, Matthew join him as an gyroplane instructor and I am leading this nice team of people as a Chief Pilot. Structure of our company also has been changed. Presently business belong to three our family members: Grazyna (Grace), Matthew and myself. Squadron flew just above 1000 hours, financial results are positive and we are soaring towards the bright future of next operational year   

We are one year old

First year of Squadron operation is behind us. It was successful  and full of flying year. I am not only the Chief Flight Instructor but also Chairman Executive Officer (CEO), - the owner of this business. This is the effect of withdrawal of my partner from the business. We also successfully completed CAA annual inspection and as an independent and new business are registered under name "303 Squadron Flight School" . Number of flown monthly hours constantly increased and reach the point of necessity to employ full time instructor. Joshua Groenewald join the squadron in November 2004. Since then we flying comfortable above 100 hours a month. I am sure that in this first year of operation we secured our position on the market. I would like to say thank you for all people, they trust in us and they start flight training with "303 Squadron Flight School"

303 SQUADRON approved by SA CAA

Today 16 of October 2003 our "303 Squadron Flight School" was inspected by CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and from now we are certified ATO or other words Approved Training Organization. This is real success after about one year approval process. From now we can advertise our activity and try keep our doors open all the time. We can operate also more efficiently by avoiding extra  cost of authorization by other flying schools. We can say that from today we have new flying school in South Africa. It was lot of joy among all of people involved in the birth of this flying adventure. Now we looking with the great hope to develop our idea of proficient by also frustration free flying and flight training.

16 December 2003 Matthew flew first time solo with an engine driven aircraft. Historically saying, first solo flight he made on paraglider in October 2000. With an engine it was recently -

This historical flight was done on "Magni Gyro M-16" in Paradise Beach near Port Elizabeth

During this year "Magni Gyro" M-16, ZU-DCV joins the school service as we purchase this gyrocopter from our previous investor and since August 2004 is flying a lot. Matthew completed his gyrocopter pilot licence and is progressing toward his gyro instructor rating.

 In November 2004 Matt completed his Private Pilot Licence exams and test and is proud private pilot

14 December 2004 Krause Venter (on the left) did his first solo, what is really impressive he did it on "Cubby" and he is the master of landings on our small but challenging tail dragger. Congratulation from all of us, well done! On this picture Krause is congratulated by our instructor Joshua.

Josua and Matthew - our gyroplane instructors with pilots on training, Colin and Gerrit, March 2006

12 February 2006 Caroline started her pilot training. She is only 14, but we decided that she can join the school and in this way she has become the next flying member of our family. On this picture Matthew is helping Caroline with her Piper Cub Replica ZU-DWW.

New and most advanced in the fleet is our Piper "Arrow" ZS-FVB. The aircraft will expand our capacity for direct training in IFR and the preparation for the CAA flight test - commercial and instrument rated pilot licence. The "Arrow" was expected over last few weeks and it was a big joy when finally today, 22.06.2006 our new instructor Barry Gove landed at FABB. Presently we are busy with type and instructor conversions as well as familiarisation flights. Our "Arrow" will start normal service from 1 of July 2006. Estimated price will be R 1050 and solo for qualified pilots at rate R 950 per hour. We estimate aircraft utilisation at rate 30 hours per month with expected increase.

Today, 22.06.2006 ZU-DWW returned to our fleet after major modification, rebuilding and with new colours. Famous "Double Whiskey" or also known as the "Green Monster" is a J 3 Piper Cub Replica. In the coming days its "Authority to Fly" will be renewed and the sparkling new taildragger will start normal service with 303 Squadron Flight School.