Staff and Facilities

Walter Waldeck, the CEO and Airbus A340 Training Captain with South African Airways, together with Johan Odendaal, the Head of Training, lead a professional team of experienced instructors with many years of combined flying experience. Both hold ATP licenses from several countries and are Grade I flying instructors. They are also Class 2 rated Test Pilots as well as CAA Designated Flying Examiners on most piston, turbine and jet aircraft. 

Ground school lecturers include retired SAA simulator instructor Lilith Seals along with meteorlogist Steve Metcalfe, Alister Berriman, Luis Rebelo, Hugh Martin, and Wayne Immelman. Most are authorities in their field and have extensive experience in civil aviation.

The Head of Flight Operations, and Chief Flying Instructor is Alister Berriman who comes with a background in engineering.

Miss Jamie Merriman is General Manageress, ably assisted by Administration Manageress, Ms Cornell Morton. Mrs Chareen Shillaw assists with student affairs and parent/sponsor liason while Mr Luis Rebello oversees scheduling and flight operations/maintenance liason.

CAA's Safety Management system is overseen by Allister and Luis with auditing by Ms Morton.

Aircraft servicing takes place at our own maintenance facility (Garden Route Air Maintenance) located alongside our main hangar. This ensures that the maintenance of our training aircraft always takes priority over any outside work. Likewise our Jabiru aircraft are manufactured and maintained at the Jabiru factory opposite our flight school.

The school was established in 1999 with the aim of instilling an airline culture and discipline into general aviation that would help develop an attitude from the outset that is conducive to flight safety and professionalism. 

All flight training is conducted on a personal basis, simultaneously with the theoretical requirements. Academic tuition is presented by means of lectures and Computer Based Training (CBT.) Having your own flight instructor throughout the course and following a personalized, structured program allows you the best opportunity for achieving your goals. We assess the progress of all our students on a daily basis to ensure that you advance according to the flight training schedule. Periodic progress checks are required with either the supervising instructor, CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) or CEO to ensure that the desired standards are being met.

Although the courses are designed to be enjoyable, they are also hard work! Flying, whether for fun or as a profession, requires a high level of self discipline and a responsible attitude - not only in the air but also on the ground. It is therefore important that students conduct themselves in a manner befitting professional pilot status. This is expected from all students regardless of the course they are attending. In fact this aspect will be assessed during your Commercial Pilot Course and will form the basis of a 'Letter of Recommendation' only presented to our best graduates. (In fact our 'Top Gun' Instructor graduates are offered the opportunity to join us as flight instructors and lecturers, and following this internship, many have gone on to very successful aviation careers.)

Students and their parents/sponsors are strongly advised to read the career guidance chapter.

 

The facilities at Flight Training College consist of a large hanger and an adjacent administration / student centre. Outside we have a BBQ area and a viewing deck overlooking the airport. This is great for sundowners while watching the night activities at the airfield.