Durban Surf City

Durban is highly recommended as your pilot training location – excellent flying schools, aircraft and instructors, walking distance accommodation and the best weather. The low cost of pilot training in Durban, South Africa, combined with our ‘endless summer’ climate and year-round fun, makes it the ideal learn to fly location. Most days are ideal for flying and as South Africa's premier beach holiday resort, there are always things to do after flight school is done for day.

Airborne will arrange collection at Durban International Airport. Car rental (if required) can be booked in advance and your vehicle delivered to the Guesthouse. Your aviation medical and X-rays will have been arranged in advance to fit in with your arrival schedule. This will normally be a day or two after your touch down, allowing you to settle in first, get your bearings and become familiar with your new surroundings.

The duration and cost of your PPL (Private Pilot Licence) package in Durban, which includes eight weeks of excellent accommodation, can only be estimated. This is dependant on the continual fluctuation of fuel prices, your own ability to adapt to the concept of flying and prevailing weather conditions. (Normally great – but who can predict?)

Everything you may require during your stay is in close proximity to your flight school and accommodation. There are an abundance of restaurants in the area catering for all tastes and eating requirements. There are a number of modern shopping centers including Gateway which offers an unequalled choice of world class retail, recreational activities and fun for the family. If keeping fit is your thing there is a Virgin Active Gym nearby offering temporary membership. Durban has excellent Hospitals & Medical Centres so medical care will never be too far away.

There is a magnificent golf course adjacent to the airport runway and Guesthouse, with many others in the area for those who enjoy getting ‘lost in the rough’. Try Zimbali a luxury golf resort and lodge, 30 mins drive from Durban on the Kwa Zulu Natal North Coast.

In your spare time take advantage of the excellent beaches, numerous inland excursions and huge variety of sports activities. The Durban coastline is ideal for surfing, kite boarding, fishing, scuba diving, spear fishing or just simply snorkeling. Visit the world famous Natal Sharks Board. It has over forty years of experience in prevention of shark attack and research on sharks. Visit the only organisation of its kind in the world. Experience the ferocity of the Natal Sharks Rugby Team first hand and watch them take on their opponents at King’s Park on the Durban Beach front opposite the Sun Coast Casino.

Further away, but within half a days drive or less than an hour's flying time is the fabulous Drakensberg Mountains and Game Reserves of Kwa Zulu Natal such as the huge National Elephant Park and the Umfolozi and Hluhluwe Rhino Reserve.

Mr Price Pro Surfing Challenge is held annually in Durban during the July school holidays. It is a truly exiting event, held over a few days on Durban’s ‘Golden Mile’. The very best surfers from all over the world take part showing all their skills and maneuvers, competing for the prestigious 1st Place, in this world class surfing challenge. Plenty of other beachfront ‘fun and entertainment’ events also take place during this period.

The Natal Coast, immediately south of Durban, is famous for its annual sardine run otherwise known as ‘the greatest shoal on earth.’ Millions of pilchards in vast shoals that blacken the normally blue sea, make their way up the coast, pursued by sharks, dolphins and game fish. From time to time (depending on weather conditions, currents and their pursuers) the shoals 'beach' themselves enabling spectators to wade in to the sea with baskets and carry tons of the silver fish ashore.

Durban is also home to Africa's most famous horse race - the annual Durban July, run on the first Saturday in July.

For those interested in flying horses and horse-racing, the nearby Natal Midlands boasts a number of quality stud farms and training facilities.

The famous Comrades Marathon - the 87 km annual road race run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg - attracts runners from all over the world. This race is normally run in June. The first race, run in 1921 attracted 34 runners. In 2001, 15558 entered the marathon of which 11076 finished within the allotted maximum time of 11 hours. The winner completed the course in 5 hours 21 minutes and 51 seconds.

The annual Viginia Airshow is normally held in July. This is a social and exciting event. ‘Old and New’ aircrafts and pilots showing off their incredible flying abilities.

Durban is the home of the annual South African Travel Indaba (get together). It is the biggest travel exhibition in Africa. For more information about the Indaba please visit http://www.indaba-southafrica.co.za

Learn to fly any time of the year – Many 'learn to flyers' coincide their flying training with one or more of these events.