About George Base
The George Base play an important role in the formation of AIFA as a business. AIFA was established in 2011 by the acquisition of Cape Flying Services, which had been functioning as a flight training school at George Airport since 1980.
George is located in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The city is a popular holiday and conference center and serves as the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route. The coastal belt along the Garden Route has a Mediterranean type climate with conditions similar to Cape Town although rain falls throughout the year giving George a green appearance. George is flanked by the majestic Outeniqua mountain range on the Northern side and the Indian Ocean on the Southern side.
The location of AIFA’s base at the George Airport is close enough for a weekend trip to nearby Wilderness, or a day trip to the Knysna Elephant Park, scenic Mossel Bay, or a myriad of other Garden Route attractions.
George Flight School Facilities
Hangars
AIFA operates from three large hangars at the George base which can with ease accommodate about 25 training aircraft. Adjacent to the hangars are numerous offices, briefing rooms and lecturing facilities as well as a SACAA approved examination center.
Aircraft
Apart from a new, modern fleet of training aircraft, AIFA also operates fully approved Elite FNPTI and FNPTII simulators. George Base operates as part of the AIFA Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) under SACAA approval number (CAA/0047) as well as all the required personnel to manage the base
Dispatch Center
A fully functional flight dispatch center acts as the base from where flight bookings are managed, aircraft and instructors are allocated, flight plans are filed and flights dispatched.
Tower
AIFA uses the George Airport Control Tower to provide weather updates and flight information to gather all the needed and updated data that pilots may need.
- Weather
Maximum temperatures in mid-winter average 19 degrees C with a minimum of 6 degrees C.
Mid-summer maximum temperatures average 28 degrees C with a minimum of 17 degrees C.
George lies at 639 feet above sea level and normally receives about 662mm of rain per year, which occurs throughout the year.
George Airspace and Airport Facilities
West
George’s General Flying Area (GFA), covers approximately 930 square nautical miles East and approximately 850 square nautical miles West of the airport. Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company (ATNS), in conjunction with all relevant parties, has developed routing procedures to and from the GFA including radio procedures to increase safety when training is being conducted.
East
Runway 29/11 is two kilometers long and 40 meters wide and has recently been upgraded. There are fully functional approach facilities (VOR and ILS) at the airfield, which has full night flying facilities. The fuel bay supplies Avgas 100LL and JET A1 fuel. It is operated by Air BP and situated at airfield.
All of the above, together with minimal air traffic, allows AIFA to confidently train our students from ab initio stage until the completion of High Performance training. This privilege builds confidence, decision making skills and psychologically prepares our pilots for future commercial airline command positions.
George Recreation
Crew rooms are available for instructors and students. Here they can relax after or between flights. A navigation planning room is available for students for flight planning. Computers with aviation software, enable students to prepare for examinations, study air law, or plan flights. Full Internet access is available as well as kitchen facilities with vending machines. There is also a barbeque (braai) area available to personnel and students.
- GPS Coordinates : 34°00’08.98’’S 22°22’40.56’E