Training
Most aspiring pilots have little to no gear when they decide to start their license. We always advise that pilots should try order a glider to their exact weight category as it will affect the flight experience.
This being said, we offer a few sizes in the ultimate beginner glider, the Dudek Universal. The powered units that you can use during your course will be a combination of the Nirvana Instinct 230 and the Nirvana Ranger 230.
All these units are available for purchase second hand with full warranty.
Pricing: We charge R25 000 per student on a rental gear option.
Terms and Conditions: Costing on replacement parts in the event of a mishap.
When something is broken the client will have to replace the parts at normal retail
pricing. The training gear remains with the instructor and is serviced/checked before
each training session and training only commences when the instructor signs out the
equipment to the student.
Continuation of training in the case of a mishap is subject to replacement of parts.
*Pilots with mishaps that require spare parts within the first 12 months of
ownership*
Pricing: For this option we charge R22 500 per student.
Terms and Conditions: The average training time takes about 10 days. This can be over an extended period or on a recommended continuous period.
The training course has to be completed within a 3 month period or the student will be subject to a renewal charge covering SAHPA student status re-registration and instructor time.
If the student passes 3 months completion period the student will be charged an additional instructors fee of R4500. It is the responsibility of both the instructor and the student to ensure availability of both parties for training.
Our instructors cannot guarantee that your training will be conducted within the average training time and EVEN LESS SO if the client’s own equipment is not of the same specification as provided by the company. If a client struggles to train on his own gear the instructor cannot be held liable for slow training times.
Please not that our instructors will NOT training you if your glider is a EN-C intermediate
or advanced glider. The risk is too high for an incident.
As a matter of procedure the instructor will ask you to send through a picture of the
wing certificate to ensure compliance with regulation in South Africa. Students are not
to train on gliders outside of their weight category or outside of their experience category as a matter of Nirvana Africa policy.
Training fees are paid ahead of the course commencement date and fees are non-refundable.
What you get as part of your license:
Over the training period, you instructor will ensure the student will gain the following skills:
• Effective ground handling – reserve launch for strong wind and forward launch for
no/light wind.
• Rotation, flight and landing efficiency.
• Theory course required for the exam.
• Real world radio communication practice.
• Expansion into XC curriculum in order to prepare you for long range flying. This part of
the course includes information on range calculation, route planning and general
mathematics required by all XC racing pilots.
• 35 take-offs and landings as required by the SAHPA license requirements.
• Registration as a Basic PPG student pilot with SAHPA.
• All administration required to get license authenticated with SAHPA
• Logbook
• Learning material.
• Radio license is not included in the course fee but your instructor will assist in making a
booking with presenters of these radio license courses. This takes 1 day to complete and
is not included in the average 10 day training period.
Due to weather constraints during a course, a 10 continuous training period is not always
achievable. If weather does ground the training for too long a new date will be determined to
suite all involved. Usually a 10 day training period could take place over an extended 15-20 day
period for completion or alternate dates as organized by your instructor to ensure that
everyone can benefit.
If a student takes longer than the required course time, he or she is welcome to join in on
courses that continue for new groups at other training locations.
Our main training site is located at Nirvana Africa located on the Umhloti Nature Reserve 10km
outside Nelspruit. The location provides 4 star accommodation options at affordable prices.
Alternatively we do have multiple accommodation options in the area and close to the
secondary fields we use.
Nirvana Country House
Weblink: http://nirvanacountryhouse.co.za/
Contact nr: 073 670 6643
confirmed at the locations for the course. Costing for the travel and stay of the instructor is at his own expense.
Every student that signs up should expect a transfer of knowledge that does not include just the
basics of flight, but also the abilities to deal with real world flying conditions a pilot could
encounter.
My approach to powered flight has been to understand its limitations and to contribute towards its design in order for the it to become safer. For the past 6 years I have been part of the Nirvana family, using the equipment in the most testing of conditions during conservation observation and anti-poaching flights. This meant flying over various terrain, encountering a wide variety of changing weather conditions and pushing the boundaries of PPG flight as the tasks required taking off in difficult places and landing in unprepared places.
Our goal as a school is to make sure that instructors are involved that have real world experience to contribute to an already stellar curriculum as I believe our students will be more prepared to deal with difficult situations when they arise and use the equipment to its full capability without hesitation.
I have done 3 Icarus races and finished on the podium each time and I did this without taking
exceptional risk. My goal, and that of my fellow instructors, will be to transfer as much of our
accumulated knowledge on real world flying as we can and thereby making better pilots with
warranted confidence.
We hope that you join our training courses and we look forward to making a great pilot out of you!
………………………………
Eugene Cussons
Director
Nirvana North America/Africa
Our Philosophy
Whilst some PPG manufacturers have seen the future moving towards smaller engines, reduced weight and lower tech. Nirvana has gone a different route by maintaining high horse power through longer stroke thus reducing operating temperature. Constant Research and Development produces advancements in electronics which brings PPG closer to conventional aircraft.
1. Light weight at 27kg whilst still carrying 230cc of engine capacity translating to an abundance of power. 80 kg thrust does not come at a compromise as operating temperature remains low. Pilots can make use of full thrust for as long as they see fit such as in high climbing rates or long endurance flights maintained on full speed system,
2. The Carburetor heater design is unique and ensures smooth operation in cold temperatures as experienced during long descends using minimal power during cold temperatures (Also known as deicing)
3. Nirvana is the ONLY manufacturer is the world that produces expensive molded skeleton/body designs which increases comfort and reduces vibration. Most manufacturers simply cannot duplicate this and focus their manufacturing on alternative lower cost designs using CNC metal skeletons.
4. The single button ignition system. Arguably the most distinctive feature is the single button incorporating both start and stop functions. Pilots don’t have to take their hands off the control toggles during landing which is a life saving feature in the event of abort landing procedure (it happens more than you think)
5. The ECU is also an advancement which gives the Nirvana diagnostic as well as single ignition and stop functions. The introduction of robust electronics enables plenty forward moving developments!
6. For the biggest move to date: Nirvana introduces a management system unlike any other. Many third party installations offer instrumentation features but nothing like a system that is factory built and boasting almost all critical features of conventional aircraft gauges. The Ngadget 3 gives Head Temp, Exhaust Gas Temp, RPM and diagnostic info. The main feature however is fuel usage giving the liter per hour, and current fuel level. These features are all displayed on one central ergonomically designed screen. Most third party fitments include systems installed which are not customized for the PPG and the result is inaccurate information and the visibly undesirable protrusion of wires. With the factory installed NGadget 3 all wires and components are hidden within the skeleton with only the screen wire visible.
The new tech is once again a game changer with PPG pilots being able to plan and manage their flight like never before!
When considering entering PPG aviation the biggest consideration should be the safety of everyone involved. Low cost designs equal marginal safety.
Paragliding
Nirvana Africa has secured two locations for the means of paragliding and paragliding instruction. Dealers for each region:
1. Barberton/De Kaap Valley
2. Paarl/Signal Hill
We are proud to have the agency for Dudek paraglider wings and we encourage owners of the products to actively make contact with their respective dealer if any service or maintenance is required.
DUDEK WINGS
Please take good care of your Dudek wing and manual! If you where to damage any of your lines for any reason, our dealers would be happy to assist you in determining and ordering you replacement lines.
As with all our products we recommend genuine parts and therefore we order the lines as per the line identification and then proceed to order the lines directly from the factory located in Poland.
Our dealers will also provide you with the best advice when it comes to repairing wing fabric damage.
