Port pilots in training with new service provider

THE helicopter service of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has been awarded to Denel Aviation as of Tuesday, 1 April, with the aim of training TNPA staff to take over the service in four years.

Along with providing the aviation service to the ports of Durban and Richards Bay, Denel will give practical experience to TNPA’s 17 cadet helicopter pilots, who already have their commercial helicopter pilot’s licence and they will continue training TNPA’s six trainee helicopter engineers, who have already completed the first year of their course at the Denel Technical Academy.

For the first year, all services will be conducted by Denel pilots, with the ratio reducing by 20% per year for the next four years, whereafter TNPA will take over. “Our vision is a long term one to develop a pool of pilots that will be able to adequately take up positions in the commercial aviation sector,” said TNPA chief executive, Tau Morwe.

Denel Aviation chief executive, Mike Kgobe added: “We are committed to the transformation of the aviation industry through skills development and training. Part of this contract is to provide the mentorship and guidance to TNPA pilots to enable these people to carry out the necessary tasking when they have qualified.”