GRAND CENTRAL AIRPORT
– AVIATION COMPANIES GUIDE June 2022
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Introduction
GR A ND
CENT R A L A I R P OR T
The Covid-19 pandemic hit general aviation hard and Grand Central airport was no exception. LAST YEAR THERE WAS REAL sense that 2021 would be the make-or-break year for Grand Central. The good news for Grand Central’s many users and the industry at large is that this resilient airport has survived and is bouncing back strongly. Grand Central, as the name suggests, benefits
from having an ideal location in the heart of Gauteng. It’s a quick hop from the apron to the highway to Johannesburg or Pretoria and the nearest Gautrain station is just 5 minutes away. The airport is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers car rental facilities and a travel agency. An Executive Departures lounge
Grand Central is ideally located and has shown the resilience to survive the Covid-19 pandemic
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The Harvard Café located in the terminal building has a large seating area looking out over the apron where visitors can watch light aircraft and helicopters taking off. There is also a large outdoor children’s play area. Due to its central location, controlled airspace and non-cumbersome security protocols, Grand Central Airport is ideal for private aviation. The airport offers over 25 dedicated helipads as well as parking and hangars for private aircraft although hangarage is currently full to capacity. Initial projects & plans are underway to build four new hangars. Pilots will find a variety of aviation services companies located at the airport, should they need technical assistance.
Pilot training plays an important role in Grand Central Airport’s operations. Many young South Africans dream of becoming pilots when they grow up but few realise how achievable this dream really is. Whether flying for pleasure or pursuing a career in aviation, the diverse selection of flight schools based at Grand Central Airport allow students to train for any license in both the fixed wing and helicopter domain.
Introduction
provides the ideal location for passengers to relax before embarking on a flight. The airport also boasts a 16-seater boardroom facility on the first floor. The Airport now offers a hot desk office with two small 4-seater boardrooms & free wi-fi for non-office bound executives.
The newly appointed Air Traffic Service Provider, Indiza, offers students-friendly airspace environment making it the ideal training location for trainee pilots. Thanks to its location and facilities, Grand Central is one of the busiest general aviation airports in South Africa. Recognising this the owners made a significant investment in the airport’s infrastructure and facilities in 2014 which included having the runway redone. Unfortunately, in terms of future development, Grand Central can’t expand because the surrounding land is owned and managed by Old The imposing terminal building.
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Introduction
Mutual Properties.
Many service providers have established operations at Grand Central.
The airport may be key for Old Mutual Properties development of their multi-billion Rand Zonk’izizwe project. Pre-Covid-19 there were serious discussions with airport management to find out how best to use the land for offices, taking into consideration the aircraft movements. Like all other GA facilities Grand Central has been hard it by Covid-19. Part of the 2020 ‘master plan’ was to build hangars and do renovations on the southern end of the airport where aircraft currently park in the open. However, this idea will only see fruition once there is a recognised demand from enough charter companies to support a complete large scale building plan in order to prevent having to redo work at a later stage. The plan also has to be approved by the shareholders of the airport, a consortium of companies mainly with a property and investment background. In the current constrained environment this has to be considered unlikely. Tenant Relations A challenge for any airport is balancing relationships with tenants while remembering that an airport is ultimately a business. One of the biggest issues for the tenants has been the fees and rentals that Grand Central charges. But for the convenience of having a 1850 m tarred runway, air traffic control, fuel available seven days a week and maintenance staff on hand five days a week, the airport maintains that the rates are market related.
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Grand Central currently has a generator that powers the runway lights and control tower in the event of a power failure, but is looking at getting enough generators to power the entire airport. Security is another challenge. The airport is guarded 24/7 – but there is a crime problem outside the gates. There have reportedly been a number of incidents where cars parked outside the premises have been broken into or stolen, to the extent that there are now signs warning people who park their cars on the side of Grand Central Boulevard of the risk. This is largely due to the open land being used as a thoroughfare and the police refusing to enter into any joint venture patrols. Old Mutual has erected fences around some of the open land, and the airport has engaged with them about putting up more fencing. International status Grand Central has long hoped to regain its international status, which its lost in 1998, however the security requirements are considered too cumbersome for the diminished airport. j
Companies
AIRBUS SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD AIRBUS IS A GLOBAL LEADER in aeronautics, space and related services. It has maintained a presence in South Africa since 1994. Airbus Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd is a one-roof entity (shared services), incorporating Airbus Commercial, Helicopters and Defence & Space and has its headquarters at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, South Africa. Airbus Helicopters provides the most efficient civil and military helicopter solutions to Southern African and Indian Ocean customers who operate an in-service fleet of around 350 turbine helicopters, to serve, protect, save lives and safely transport passengers in highly demanding environments. On top of the popular H125 & H130, the continent's sector accounts for a significant number of medium-lift helicopters and is regarded as a market ideally suited to the twin-engine H145, H175 & H225 aircraft. Airbus Southern Africa (AZA) boasts an award winning Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility at Grand Central Airport hangars ranging from H120, AS350 series, H125, H130, H135 series, H145 series. From new aircraft assemblies and customisation, AZA also covers all types of maintenance, including the major inspections. As an OEM customer centre, AZA is recognised within the Airbus Group and has an excellent history with aircraft rebuilds, retrofits and Airbus approved modifications.
Airbus Helicopters offers a new support and services structure. Operators will be matched to the best combination of services according to their profile and fleet make-up, thanks to a logistic spare parts stock at AZA, covering Parts replacement for the Region. Simplified to just three flexible solutions, HCare is now composed of HCare Initial, HCare In-service, or a combination of the two, HCare Lifetime. For each, customers can opt for one out of three levels of material management performance. Still available for specific fleets will be the HCare First package for Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) aircraft and HCare Classics for the out-of-production legacy fleet (H120, Dauphin, Puma and Gazelle). To find out more about Airbus Southern Africa’s products and services: www.airbushelicopters.co.za or www.airbus.com Contact: Telephone : +27 11 266 2600 Fax: +27 11 266 2628 Web: www.airbushelicopters.co.za / www.airbus.com j
AZA also provides training and assistance, and has trained civil, military and parapublic pilots in the H125 FNPT simulator in Johannesburg since 2016. June 2022
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airbus.com
THE DIFFERENCE IS H E A R T B E AT
Seconds count when lives are on the line. It’s why every feature of the Airbus H145 has been designed for safe, effective, and fast operations. With easy patient loading, state-of-the-art avionics to reduce pilot workload and a safer working area on the ground, the H145 ensures people get the medical care they need as fast as possible. All of this has made the H145 one of the emergency medical services market leaders around the globe – helping people every single day and making sure the world remains a beautiful place.
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AT AVCON JET AFRICA we focus on our extreme professionalism and corporate culture. We are proud to be part of the Avcon Jet Group, allowing us to serve not only the national markets, but beyond; bringing an even higher, more diverse level of expertise. We offer Air Charters, In-House Simulators, Glass Cockpit Aircraft training, Aircraft Sales and Accounts Management, and advance flight training. Our Self Fly Safari’s are truly one of a kind, priceless experiences. Embark on an adventure touring our countryside with a birds-eye-view, in a way only aviators can.
See the world like never before, by booking your introductory flight. We strive to offer you the best with our modern facilities, passionate experienced instructors and our well-maintained private fleet.
Companies
AVCON JET AFRICA
Adventure is at your fingertips with Avcon Jet Africa by your side. Avcon Jet Africa, Main Terminal, Grand Central Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa. Tel: 011 312 5676 | Email: office@avconjet. co.za | Find us on: Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn j
Take to the skies, with Avcon Jet Africa by your side.
What makes us stand out? EASA Examination Facilitation | Flight training, PPL to ATPL Flight Simulator (with initial turbine rating and MCC) | SA-CAA Exam Centre King Air 200 Ratings | Pilatus PC12 Ratings
T EL : ( 01 1 ) 3 1 2 - 5 6 76 EM A I L : of fi c e @ a v c o n j e t .c o.z a WEB : w w w . a v c on j e t .t r ai n i n g
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Companies
LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE, established in 1989 offers professional flight training now located at Grand Central Airport. Our aim is to provide our clients with the highest standard of comprehensive training available and experience that you can draw on to plan your training and future in aviation. LFC is internationally recognised as a first-class flight school and aviation training organisation. We specialise in providing professional pilot training and private pilot training for domestic and international aviation students. LFC is the first choice among aspiring pilots for professional flight training; we cater for domestic & international students, and offer full-time or part-time training.
With his team and over 35 years’ experience, Ian Dyson looks forward to continuing a rich tradition of professional pilot training and flight services to the aviation industry. We have successfully trained both domestic and international airline pilots, hobby aviators, hourbuilding programs and supported advanced pilot training. Many of our students now fly for the world’s top airlines including British Airways, Qantas and Emirates. Contact: Grand Central Airport, Midrand +27 11 312 5166 www.flylfc.com j
ENROL NOW! PILOT TRAINING • AIR CHARTER
• PROFESSIONAL TRAINING • PPL, CPL • AIRLINE PILOT’S LICENCE • JET RATING SA Flyer 2013|02
• SIMULATOR • GLASS COCKPIT
Comme rcial Ground School Individu al subjects welcom e.
EAS Conve A rsions
Froz EASA A en TPL availablenow
• SUPERB FLEET info@flylfc.com www.flylfc.com GRAND CENTRAL AIRPORT TEL: 011 312 5166 or 011 659 2810 CAA0040
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LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE
Companies
PAMBELE AVIATION PAMBELE AVIATION (based at Grand Central Airport) is a dependable air charter company operating throughout Southern Africa providing light aircraft transport services. We have more than thirteen years’ experience providing charter flights for the private and business sectors, flying business leaders, tourists and VIP’s.
Pambele Aviation is the continuation of Jemax Aviation in a new guise and with a fresh “jacket” to align ourselves with the Pambele Africa group of companies. Pambele Aviation holds license N892D and a Part 135 AOC.
The primary aircraft being operated are a Beechcraft King Air B200 and a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B. A number of light piston engine aircraft are available for smaller group sizes, or for those who are budget conscious.
Contact Details: Tel: 011 805 0652 E-mail: fjoubert@pambele.aero
A satellite base of operation is located at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport serving the Lowveld region of the country.
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PAMBELE FONT: ITC Avant Garde Gothic PAMBELE FONT COLOUR: 60% Black PANTONE: Cool Gray 9c
Formerly known as JEMAX AVIATION License # N892D
LIGHT AIRCRAFT CHARTER OPERATOR www.pambele.aero c = 90 m = 50 y=0 k=0
SA Flyer 2022|06
Pantone 285c
info@pambele.aero TEL: (+27 11) 805-0652 / 82 | FAX: (+27 11) 805-0649
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Companies
FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES
(PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES)
FTS IS A FLIGHT SCHOOL that operates out of Grand Central Airport’s main terminal building. The company has an impressive fleet of over 10 aircraft which include Cessna 172s, Piper PA28s, Cessna 172RG and the PA-30 Piper Twin Comanche for advanced multi-engine training. These aircraft are all used for basic and advanced instruction.
For the forthcoming CPL & ATPL ground school contact FTS on: 011 805 9015 or Email: fly@fts. co.za to book your seat. For more information contact Amanda Pearce on: Tel: 011-805-9015/6 Website: www.fts.co.za j
Flight Training Services offers a comprehensive, state of the art, training service starting from entry level Private Pilot Licence (PPL) through to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) licence. Browse through their site and have a look at the services on offer.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF PILOT & FLIGHT CREW TRAINING
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LOCATIONS
CLICK LOCATION TO LINK TO INTERACTIVE MAP
AIRBUS
LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE
FTS: PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES
AVCON JET AFRICA
PAMBELE AVIATION
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