Can I do it?

It’s not all that difficult, although we believe (and clients confirm) it is not a trip for novice pilots.  South African flight rules govern Self-Fly Safaris^̉.  You’ve got to be at least a private pilot with a current medical and BFR.

Although a Self-Fly Safari^̉ must, by government regulation, be conducted only in VMC and daylight hours, an instrument-rated pilot will be more comfortable.  We impose no minimum level of experience (flight time) but aircraft owners and insurance companies may impose minimum experience (time in type) requirements on the use of specific aircraft.  You should be comfortable flying cross-country in an environment of no radar and spotty radio coverage.  You should be comfortable landing and taking off from 1000-yard bush strips. 

SAFARI PREPARATIONS BY HANKS AERO ADVENTURES... 

Hanks Aero Adventures prepares you for your Self-Fly Safari^̉ with an organized program that unfolds between the time you first book your safari, through your arrival in Johannesburg and your departure on your Self-Fly Safari^®.   No other safari outfitter begins your preparations before you leave home.   None offer comparable flight planning material.  

Upon booking you’ll immediately receive our exclusive “Pilot’s Advance Preparation Kit™”.  This contains important information on what to bring, as well as study material with homework for your pilot license validation requirements. On arrival in Johannesburg you’ll have an introductory briefing -- after we’ve met you and delivered you to your hotel.  You’ll also have an extensive pre-departure safari briefing that can take a full afternoon.  

Time consuming flight planning is done for you.  What you need is contained in your extensive “Cockpit Trip Kit™” This is a comprehensive guide to African flying tailored to your specific route.  It is a preflight planning aid for each leg of your safari.  It is also an in-flight cockpit resource.  Reading it and using it gives you perspective and suggestions on flying in Africa.  It gives you more time to enjoy what you’ve come for -- a vacation safari and flying the African bush!   You’ll receive your Cockpit Trip Kit on arrival.  You should begin to read it right away.  We’ll review it with you in your pre-departure briefing. 

The flight instructor who oversees your license validation exercises will brief you on important aspects of African bush flying.  He will answer any questions you have. Pick his brain.  

A working ATC controller will brief you and answer questions on airspace rules in the Johannesburg area and along your Safari route.  Pick his brain, too.  

Safari Dispatch: Your safari launch can be hectic with last minute details.   We are with you at the airport on departure day.  We hand-deliver your validated South African pilot license.  We assist with pre-departure paperwork, fueling, filing a flight plan, returning your rental car, and assist as required.  

Flight monitoring: As a safety practice, Hanks Aero Adventures contacts destination camps after your scheduled arrival time (ETA) to make certain you have arrived as expected.  Failure to arrive on schedule may result in additional search attempts.  This is a customary practice of Hanks Aero Adventures. We are always available to provide advice and optional logistic support as required. 

Hanks Aero’s Exclusive
PREPARATORY AND IN-FLIGHT MATERIALS
Other safari companies exist.  No other supplies these or comparable materials.

PILOT CERTIFICATE VALIDATION REQUIREMENTS 

To fly South African registered aircraft you must have your pilot license validated in accordance with regulations of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The process involves legal and practical requirements including a written exercise and flight checks done with a flight instructor at a flight school.  No government examiners are involved.  Both the written test and the check rides are easily accomplished in several hours. As a practical matter the process is done over a span of two or three days.  It is not difficult.  

Before you arrive in South Africa we'll ask you to fax or mail to us copies of your pilot license, medical; passport; log book pages showing logged PIC time-in-type of the aircraft you will fly or an instructor's sign-off for the specific aircraft you will fly.  

Recent experience: Pilots are STRONGLY urged to fly with an instructor in the specific type of aircraft you will fly during your safari.  You should review air work; soft, short-field and cross-wind landings; and navigation by pilotage.  A US instructor's sign-off will satisfy the South African legal requirements for experience in type.   

Time-in-Type: Owners and insurers of some aircraft available for Self-Fly Safaris™ require pilots to have a minimum amount of experience (logged time) in the aircraft.  For example, use of a C-210 may require a minimum of 500 hours total time and 50 hours time-in-type to satisfy insurance requirements.  A Cessna-182 may require 100 hours total time and 10 in type. We’ll need to know your experience in the specific aircraft you intend to fly. Holders of European pilot licenses should have the specific type aircraft they will fly on safari listed in their licenses (type rating).

Type Specific: All pilots must be current in the aircraft they will fly BEFORE arrival in South Africa.  Being current in a C-182 does NOT qualify you to fly a C-172; being current in a PA-28-180 does NOT qualify you to fly a PA-28-181, etc. 

You must be current.  Your medical must be up to date and, for FAA licenses, you must have a current BFR. 

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: You must have and bring with you to South Africa these documents:

Validation exercises: After you arrive in South Africa, you will go through several steps that we refer to as the “license validation process”.  This includes several briefings. The Pilot’s Advance Preparation Kit™ includes homework material.  Much of the “bookwork” required can be – should be -- accomplished before you arrive.

 VALIDATION EXERCISES:  EXPANDED OPTIONS … 

Self-Fly Safari^̉ clients tell us one of three things about the validation exercises they go through in Johannesburg before setting out on their route. 1) The allotted time is too long, and the three-day pre-departure program should be compressed; 2) the allotted time is too short and a more relaxed program would be better.  Some say the four-day plan is just right.   

Consider a typical situation on arrival in Johannesburg: you’ve spent 10 to 14 hours on a 747 and you’ve shifted six to nine time zones.  Jet lag is an issue.  Most passengers  are fatigued but manage to make it through Immigration and Customs in a reasonably alert condition.   We meet you as you emerge from Customs at Johannesburg International Airport, drive you to your Johannesburg area hotel, and conduct a short (one hour) initial briefing.  This whole process takes about three hours after getting off the 747.  We find that clients, at this point, are ready for a drink, dinner, and a good night’s sleep.   

But, under the three-day validation scenario you will also have to complete a written exercise, and plan a cross-country flight before the next day.   If you’ve done the homework exercises contained in the Pilot’s Advance Preparation Kit™, then that work is already done and you’re in good shape.  If not, your experience may be otherwise. 

So, consider what will work best for you.  Let us know when you’re working up your itinerary how you’d like to handle it.  Your actual validation schedule also depends on whether your arrival in South Africa is early morning or later in the day.  

Here’s the FOUR-DAY SCENARIO… 

Day 1 – (Beginning Safari Date) Arrive Johannesburg International Airport. Met by Chris and Nick Hanks. You are transferred to the Hertford Inn, Lanseria, on the outskirts of Johannesburg for four nights while completing pilot validations. Introductory briefing. Settle in.  Have dinner. Go to bed.  

Day 2 – ATC briefing and tower visit; complete cross country flight planning; complete airlaw written exercise; Instructor’s briefing; introductory flight in the Johannesburg area.  We’ll fetch you from your hotel in the morning and get the process underway. You’ll get a chance to focus on some of the differences between flying in the USA and Africa.  Professionals do all the briefings.  During the day you’ll go up for a ride with an instructor for an airborne view of Johannesburg, the “City of Gold”.  You’ll get the lay of the land and a taste of how ATC works (and sounds) in Africa’s busiest airspace.  Normally you’ll use the same aircraft you’ll take on safari and get a chance to see how it handles before your validation checkride.  

Day 3 -- Cross country and handling check ride.  We’ll try to schedule it for the morning. 

Day 4 – Paperwork to Pretoria, Briefings. Optional tours can be arranged with Chris to do various activities such as visit the Lesedi Cultural Village, Museum Africa, Soweto, Sterkfontein Caves. Lunch with us followed by an extensive Pre-Departure briefing.    

Day 5 – Load the aircraft;  Fly the African Bush! 

In the THREE-DAY VALIDATION PLAN, the introductory flight around Johannesburg is eliminated.   The evening you arrive and the next day (Days 1 and 2) become very busy and intense.  You’ll fly the cross-country and handling checkride with the instructor without having had a chance to familiarize yourself with the airspace or the aircraft. 

Some people can do this easily while others, we find, operate much better with a little more time for the whole process.  

Day 1 – (Beginning Safari Date) Arrive Johannesburg International Airport. Met by Chris and Nick Hanks. You are transferred to the Hertford Inn, Lanseria, on the outskirts of Johannesburg for four nights while completing pilot validations. Evening briefing.  If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to complete the open-book air-law written exercise;  you’ll need to flight plan your cross-country checkride and  complete a written navigation log in time to use it during the checkride the next day.  

Day 2 – ATC briefing; Instructor’s briefing; turn in Airlaw written test; turn in navigation-log to instructor; fly cross country and handling checkride.  

Day 3 -- Paperwork to CAA in Pretoria, Briefings.  Extra time in the morning for flying if necessary to complete validation requirements. Lunch with us followed by the extensive afternoon Pre-Departure briefing.  

Day 4 -- Load the aircraft; Fly the African Bush! (If the validation paperwork was not completed on Day 3, it will be hand carried to the CAA in Pretoria for processing. In most cases the certified South African CAA pilot license will be returned in time for a late morning departure. 

Launch Day…  Hanks Aero Adventures is on hand at Lanseria Airport to facilitate your departure on your Self-Fly Safari^̉.  We assist with return of your rented car, fueling the aircraft, filing flight plan, checking weather, processing through Customs & Immigration if necessary, and completing the aircraft paperwork before the aircraft operator releases the aircraft to you. 

PILOT-IN-COMMAND

Only a pilot who has successfully completed the South African Department of Civil Aviation requirements for foreign pilot license validation may act as Pilot-in-Command  (PIC) of a South African-registered aircraft.  The client, so qualified, is at all times the PIC of the aircraft.  If more than one client has qualified as PIC, then either one or the other may act as PIC.  Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. provides no other pilot for the Self-Fly Safari^̉, unless otherwise stated in this contract.   

QUALIFIED PILOT: Original documents: valid private pilot certificate, or higher; current Biennial Flight Review sign-off in log book; current Airman’s medical certificate; Log book showing FAA CFI sign-off in specific type and model of aircraft to be flown on safari. Note: if there is no instructor sign-off in the pilot’s log book, the pilot may provide logged PIC in the specific type and model aircraft as evidence of qualification in type.  The Qualified Pilot must also successfully complete validation exercises as specified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).

BAGGAGE AND OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS

Useful loads of small, general aviation aircraft are limited.  Aircraft are required to carry 5 liters of water (11 pounds) per person when flying over wilderness areas, as well as a first aid kit.  Self-Fly Safari^̉ operations are often conducted at high density altitudes due to high airport elevations and high temperatures.  Rough surfaces and sloping runways on some bush strips extend take-off runs.  Aircraft weight and balance limitations are important considerations for the PIC on a Self-Fly Safari^̉.  As a result, we allow no more than two occupants in any C-172.  A group of three can travel in a C-182.  Groups of four people are required to use a C-206 or C-210.  Larger groups should consider using multiple-aircraft.  In each case, clients and their passengers should carry no more than 25 pounds (12 kg) luggage each, carried in soft-case bags for easy stowage.   

EXCESS HOBBS TIME

The client is responsible for payment of flying time in excess of the agreed upon flight time limit of a Self-Fly Safari^̉ as stated in this contract.  At the conclusion of the Self-Fly Safari^̉ the client will be billed according to prevailing hourly rate for the aircraft in question.  Aircraft flight time will be measured according to readings of the Hobbs meter, if one is installed.  If no Hobbs Meter exists in the aircraft, time will be measured according to the aircraft tachometer and the use of a multiplyer of 1.2.  

AIRWORTHINESS OF AIRCRAFT

Aircraft brokered by Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. for client use are supplied by flight schools, air charter companies, flying clubs, private individuals, and other aircraft operators.  Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. makes no representation nor warranty, express or implied, about the airworthiness, or other condition of the aircraft, it's engine(s), its mechanical and/or electronic components, avionics or airframe.  It is the responsibility of the client, acting in his or her capacity as Pilot-In-Command (PIC), to determine the airworthiness of the aircraft supplied. 

AIRCRAFT & MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

Except for a single C-182 Hanks Aero Adventures does not own aircraft used for Self-Fly Safaris^̉.  Instead, we source aircraft requested by clients from a variety of sources including flight schools, charter companies, and individual owners.  Selected aircraft are maintained in accordance with South African Department of Civil Aviation regulations governing aircraft used for commercial purposes.  Under the rules, aircraft must undergo  a Major Periodic Inspection (MPI) -- the equivalent of the FAA’s 100-hour inspection.  Airworthiness Directives issued by the FAA are mandatory for South African-registered aircraft.  Compliance with advisories from airframe and engine manufacturers is often mandatory.  South African maintenance facilities and standards of workmanship are the best in Africa and good by any international standard. 

MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES

In the event that mechanical difficulties with the aircraft arise in the course of a Self-Fly Safari^̉ an attempt will be made to diagnose and fix the problem.  Clients should recognize that it is impossible to determine in advance a fixed scenario for dealing with a disabled aircraft in the bush and with the associated collateral issues.  By nature, a Self-Fly Safari^̉ is conducted in remote locations.  Aircraft service facilities, spare parts, and qualified maintenance personnel are not available at bush airstrips.  The simple act of communicating the problem to a competent authority takes time; diagnosing the problem, and then mustering needed parts, and qualified labor to repair the problem also takes time.  The client and occupants of a disabled aircraft should accept that a delay or curtailment of their planned itinerary is likely.

Be assured that Hanks Aero Adventures will be actively trying to assist the client in this circumstance.  We cannot guarantee a glitch-free Self-Fly Safari^̉.  However, we will do everything within our power to help deal with any unexpected situation.  

Broadly speaking, the following procedures apply: The Client is obliged to call Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. in South Africa to advise of the problem.  Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. will contact and liase with the owner/operator of the aircraft to determine an appropriate course of action.  Subsequent instructions are relayed to the client.  The client will undertake no repairs or maintenance without authorization from the owner/operator of the aircraft or Hanks Aero Adventures.  

Hanks Aero Adventures Inc is not responsible for the inability of the client to complete a Self-Fly Safari^̉, or a portion thereof, nor for delays, nor for cancellation of a Self-Fly Safari^̉, nor for bookings at accommodations that are lost because of said delays or cancellations, resulting from any problem arising from a defective or unusable aircraft.  Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. will make NO REFUND for unused aircraft flight time, or for lost accommodations in this eventuality.  

In the event that fixing the aircraft will take an extended time -- whatever the reason -- the client should consider and be prepared to complete his Self-Fly Safari^̉ using other available means of transport such as ground transport, air charter, or commercial carrier.  Any expenses so incurred are the responsibility of the client.  

BAD WEATHER:

Self-Fly Safaris^̉ must, according to South African Air Law, be conducted during daylight hours in visual meteorological conditions (VMC).  Therefore, it must be recognized that unsuitable flying conditions can disrupt, delay, or even make it impossible to fly a Self-Fly Safari^̉.  In the event of adverse conditions be aware that we will do everything we can to help. This may include advice on rerouting, rescheduling accommodations, and other help. Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. will make NO REFUND for unused aircraft flight time in this eventuality. 

INSURANCE QUESTIONS… 

HULL & THIRD-PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE

The owners of aircraft used by clients carry underlying hull and third party liability insurance coverage.  Clients using aircraft for Self-Fly Safaris^̉ are required to carry insurance covering the deductible portion of the owner’s policy -- known as “Excess” insurance.  Coverage for each pilot is mandatory. 

EXCESS INSURANCE: Owners and operators of aircraft require pilots to purchase a sub-insurance policy to cover the deductible portion of the owner’s Hull Insurance policy.  This is known as “Excess” Insurance.  In the event of a claim the Excess policy pays the deductible portion of the owner’s policy. The amount of coverage varies according to the type of aircraft used and the terms of the owner’s underlying Hull Insurance policy.  The premium is included in the Self-Fly Safari™ package. 

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND NOT INCLUDED:  All travel insurance policies we have seen exclude medical coverage to any person acting as crew (PIC) of an aircraft when the injury arises from an aircraft accident.  Self-Fly Safari^̉ flights are not charter flights. Under these circumstances you personally, or your normal health insurance policy, are responsible for paying for medical treatment.  Note however, that if the PIC has a travel policy, it will often cover medical costs (up to the limit of the policy) arising from other causes such as an automobile accident, or illness.  If passengers in the Self-Fly Safari^̉ aircraft have bought a travel insurance policy and are not acting as crew, they are often covered for injuries arising out of an aircraft accident.  However, read the fine print of the travel insurance policy you purchase to see if it covers or excludes claims arising out of injuries involving a single-engine aircraft.  Also, if you have any questions, ask your own medical insurance agent about coverage in Africa for injuries arising out of an aircraft accident in which you are a crewmember.  

HAZARD:  All safari activity is potentially hazardous.  All flight in an aircraft is potentially hazardous.  Much of Africa is wilderness with unpredictable flying and landing conditions.  Indeed, an integral element of a Self-Fly Safari^̉ is the experience of flying an aircraft in this environment.  Nothing is guaranteed.  It is essential that all lawful instructions and advice of Hanks Aero Adventures Inc, its representatives, safari operators, and flight instructors be followed.  

REFUNDS: Refunds will not be made for occasional missed meals or services, nor for any hotel, lodge or camp accommodations not utilized by the client.  No refund will be made for any absence by the client from the Self-Fly Safari^̉ tour, or portion thereof.  Further, no refund will be made to the client if he or she fails to obtain a validated South African pilot license.  Further, no refunds will be issued if the Self-Fly Safari^̉ is delayed, altered, canceled, or cannot be flown due to unsuitable flying weather, or due to mechanical failure of the aircraft, its engine(s), its avionics, or other components, or due to any and all other factors beyond our control.  

CHANGE OF SCHEDULE: Hanks Aero Adventures operates in a land of unpredictable conditions.  It may, therefore, occasionally be necessary to change the itinerary of a Self-Fly Safari^̉ with little or no notice.  Hanks Aero Adventures reserves the right to make these changes without prior client notification or consultation.  We will do everything within our control to maintain the scheduled itinerary and keep our clients fully informed. 

BROKERED AIRCRAFT: Hanks Aero Adventures Inc. does not own aircraft for use by clients on Self-Fly Safaris^̉.  Hanks Aero Adventures Inc brokers privately or commercially owned aircraft for clients who are qualified pilots.  An agreement governing the terms and conditions of client use of the aircraft is signed between the client and the aircraft owner or operator. 

RELEASE FROM LIABILITY: Each safari participant will be required to sign a “Liability Release” form before departure on a Self-Fly Safari^̉.  The intent of this document is two-fold: 1) that the safari participant broadly affirms and acknowledges his or her own responsibility for his or her own actions in participating in a Self-Fly  Safari^̉, and any subsequent consequences; 2) the safari participant agrees that Hanks Aero Adventures Inc will not be held liable for injury, death, damages or other loss suffered by the safari participant arising from his or her participation in a Self-Fly Safari^̉.