Training in Oz and cost of microlights there

[Biggles]

Hi all

Just took a mate, who is visiting from Oz, up for a flip. Beautiful day today, managed to do Blouberg beach then around the back of Koeberg and up to Bokpunt and back.

Anyway... I have an instant convert on my hands and amoungst the questions were:
Do you think its cheaper to do license in SA and then be able to fly in OZ.
What are the prices of microlights like in Oz?
And what is the shortest time you could do your MPL in? (He is thinking of spending 2 months in SA to do the license. I know this would be dodgy in the Cape due to the weather.)

Any idea would be good. Maybe someone on the australian licrolighters forum could post the questions there.

Ciao

[Cali]

Hi Biggles

I am in the middle of all this here in Oz now. Buying a trike and having to do some training.

Dual rates on school trike is about $ 150/hr wet. (R 847.50)
Solo rates on school trike is about $ 75/hr wet. (R 423.75)

Wow I did not realize it was so expensive

BUT instructors are few and far between (in Western Australia anyway)
MPL is min 20 hrs but then you need 5hrs more for pax endorsement etc..

If you can afford to spend two months away from work and pay airfares to SA maybe more convenient but deff not cost effective.

Could be completely wrong Cloud Warrior ??

[Cloud Warrior]

I concur Cali - when you add in the air fare (R12000) and accomodation etc I think it is cheaper to just do it here. Depends where he is from?

[Cali]

Yes CW and the two months away from work

I may be coming your way to do my MPL soon, just need to sort a few things first.

[Cali]

[Cali]

[Biggles]

Thanks for the response guys... This friend of mine is based in Cannes, but works with me in the DRC so comes through SA to and from breaks so cost of airfare from Oz is not an issue.

One small proviso is that he cannot do his license anywhere near me!! Never had so many hangovers in a row before ... and its dreadful waking up with a spilting headache and there is no wind blowing!!!

Thanks for the rates guys!!

[Perry]

Biggles,

Cairns is approx. 350km North of me here and Cali (Nice to hear that you are well in Oz Cali) has quoted rates correctly - $150 wet for dual training in 4-stroke 912S here in Townsville. 2-strokes are a little cheaper - between $120 and $140.

I will ask the RA-AuS President regarding compatability, however, he has spend considerable time discussing conversions with Mike Blyth some time back - so I'd reckon the only issues are conversion check flights and sitting the multiple choice exams.

I am almost certain that RSA is cheaper than here, however logistics may be an issue.

Regards