Hi Trike Nut...here's some food for thought
The cost for Microlight School is NOT prohibitive....BUT the AIRFIELD IS
CAA will audit:
1) The establishment - classroom etc, material, computers, cupboards, property leases agreements...so that the environment is secure for the students. Requirements are as per Air Law Part 141
2) The Aircraft - must be up to scratch with Insurance and Lease agreements in place.
3) Your Operating procedures - must operate according to a Manual Of Procedure (M.O.P), which lays out everything, syllabus, school structure, methods etc....
Cost estimate (excluding aircraft, furniture and computers) with Inspection fee: Approx R15 000
The Airfield - for Commercial venture on privately owned presumeably Agricultural Land will need:
1) Environment Impact Assessement (E.I.A) - FIRST before building or doing runway etc. You have to aquire the services of a consulting company who assess everything from public participation, migratory patterns of wildlife, Road department letters, bordering council letters of comment, underlying rock structures with geological surveys a real possibility...absolutely ridiculous Red Tape. This will take in the region of 3 Years.....and R50 - R100 000....
2) Land Use application with the local council once you have the EIA. You have to advertise in papers, more public meetings....Council approval - Time frame 1 Year and R10 000
Runway grading, grass planting and hanger and school construction then starts.....
My costs were similar to the following
Runway - 800m x 20m Grass - R30 000
Building upgrade - R150 000
Per Hanger 15mx18m (Second hand uprights / strcuture) - R200 000 (Concrete floor, electricity point and decent lights etc)
Second Hand Tractor and grass cutter - R40 000 (Still have to get one - been paying R600 per cut)
I have 3 hangers and a reasonable runway .
Total costs to date excluding (my time) and other individuals input in the region of R1 000 000.
Monthly running costs in the region of R10 000
5 Years on and finally there light at the end of the tunnel. As an individual, you need to have a LOT of students to cover the setting up of an airfield and school...personally I do not see any NEW Microlight Airfields/Schools being formed without the help of big investment from a number of individuals interested in Training , but rather agreements with existing airfields.
Larry Eschner (Bapsfontein)and Geoff Dyer (Light Flight) had good advice for me many years ago - don't restrict yourself to Trikes only. We had windy /unsafe conditions here in Jhb - Aug, Sept, Oct 2003 and my earnings were about R1000 per month - Soul Destroying
Same as for Deon, if you need a hand send me an pm or email.
Regards
Russell
