Eastern Cape government flying school?

[AnAV8R]

Just seen on the news the Eastern Cape government is about to launch a flying school with plans to incorporate private schools with them. "It will be a boost for underprivileged children, for the EC, for South Africa, for the continent".....

Anyone know anything about this?

[AnAV8R]

https://www.algoafm.co.za/local/premier ... ort-alfred

Premier to launch aviation school in Port Alfred
15 Jan 2025 | Thulisile Mapongwana

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Education MEC Fundile Gade will officially launch the Eastern Cape Aviation School on Friday at 43 Air School in Port Alfred.

This historic launch marks a significant milestone in the province's education sector as it introduces the three-stream model pilot program.

The Eastern Cape Aviation School aims to establish a High School for Aerospace Science, a new public education model focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding between 43 Air School and the Eastern Cape Department of Education. It will also see the introduction of aero-maritime studies at Port Alfred High School.

The provincial government has partnered with industry experts to provide focused learning in specialized occupational fields.

Bhisho spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie says the program will begin with Grade 10 learners selected from across the province. It will equip them with skills for South Africa’s growing economy.

“This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates the provincial government's commitment to providing innovative education and training opportunities, ultimately developing future leaders in all sectors of society,” Rantjie concluded.

[Deanw]

The first school was meant to open at the Stellenbosch Technopark last year (building and furniture allocated, etc), but the Western Cape Education Dept messed that up, so the Eastern Cape govt was approached and they were very receptive.

A second school will open in KZN in 2026, with a school based at the Cape Winelands Airport following in 2028.

[Snitch]

Hope they going to do something to help create jobs for those being pushed through.

[Lood]

Someone must take the premier for a flip at PA. Maybe he can also get something done about the runways …

[Fransw]

Hope they going to do something to help create jobs for those being pushed through.

Plenty future jobs at SAA. Good initiative! But with 5% SOE success rate failure is already on the cards...

[Roger]

Been tried in the private sector a few years back in Eastern Cape with Wings High School:
viewtopic.php?t=115540

[WagAero]

Shoo - It's not necessary to set up a dedicated SCHOOL OF AVIATION at school level - Rather offer broad category aviation subject(s) as part of matric syllabus which will encourage a broader spectrum of careers at an existing high school establishment !!! Then there are already under utilized flight schools with the facilities for the flying part. Just do the math - what does it cost to get a pupil through hour 1 at a start up flight school ( Millions in infrastructure costs planes and staff costs) compared to an existing flight school who will charge R 2500- 3500 for hour 1.

I think there is a political agenda followed by a bigger one after that !!!! and a failure of note -unless they get business minded people involved !!! I don't want to be a naysayer, but have we not seen this movie before.

The existing flight school hour is the cheapest training hour you can get - support the local industry - that's where the long term jobs are made.

Don't waste tax money !!! rather let government govern and create the environment for business to prosper and create jobs.

[Volo]

Shoo - It's not necessary to set up a dedicated SCHOOL OF AVIATION at school level - Rather offer broad category aviation subject(s) as part of matric syllabus which will encourage a broader spectrum of careers at an existing high school establishment !!! Then there are already under utilized flight schools with the facilities for the flying part. Just do the math - what does it cost to get a pupil through hour 1 at a start up flight school ( Millions in infrastructure costs planes and staff costs) compared to an existing flight school who will charge R 2500- 3500 for hour 1.

I think there is a political agenda followed by a bigger one after that !!!! and a failure of note -unless they get business minded people involved !!! I don't want to be a naysayer, but have we not seen this movie before.

The existing flight school hour is the cheapest training hour you can get - support the local industry - that's where the long term jobs are made.

Don't waste tax money !!! rather let government govern and create the environment for business to prosper and create jobs.

......................................................
Everything you have said is 100% true .

Our political masters have been educated over and over again but there are no so deaf as those that will not here.

There is a fixation that they need to do something more to train pilots that their past endeavours have not delivered so they are clutching at straws when they propose whole new enterprises with no history .

Make aviation technical colleges a fact of life and let a whole generation benefit from the initiative - link bursaries to results and pilots wil follow.

[V5 - LEO]

....rather spend the money and fix the regulator - then there will be more pilots - magic!

[Trevor Duane]

If managed correctly this will be a fantastic venture. Only time will tell.

[Fransw]

This initiative is as a result of retired and private persons with strong SAAF and engineering backgrounds. They approached the provincial governments for support.

[Dutch1]

Recipe for disaster.

[Fransw]

This initiative is as a result of retired and private persons with strong SAAF and engineering backgrounds. They approached the provincial governments for support.

W
Did the approached the prov. Government for funding Dean? I really think this can work. By getting funded by the government they also secure a steady stream of pupils. The money is there. These guys are clearly experienced in the industry. Good initiative. But its gonna hurt many here cause only black kids will get bursaries...

[Mustang]

Several areas of the land 43 is located on were to be put on the open market as some may know. Establishing an aviation school for a certain racial group on the land might just have stopped the whole affair, if negotiated well with the state / EC provincial government.