Whether you want to go for a scenic flip, learn to fly or wonder where to park your private jet, or better still buy a brand new plane out of the box, you'll find it at George Airport. The airport with its sophisticated infrastructure has been a prime catalyst for the development of a vibrant service industry and plays a major role in furthering tourism and business to the Southern Cape.
Says pilot Warwick Blake, who is constructing a new hangar at the George Airport to provide space for visiting turbine aircraft and private jets: "When you own a piece of equipment worth between R15-million and R20-million you want to park it undercover. At present these aircraft only drop and collect. We need to attract more stay-over business and the way to do it is by providing the necessary facilities." The hangar, measuring 750 sq/m and costing around R600 000, will be ready in time for the Presidents Cup and is large enough to house four visiting aircraft.
Blake's vision for the future includes the establishment of a Business Aviation Centre similar to Cape Town, be it on a smaller scale. "This would be an immeasurable boost to tourism and corporate business at the top end of the market," he says. "But to achieve this we'll need the support of all roleplayers in the area ACSA, local government and the business sector. The foundation has already been laid with events such as the Presidents Cup and developments like Fancourt, which have placed the Garden Route firmly on the international map." Blake hopes to build a bigger hangar in the next year or two to accommodate executive aircraft on a permanent basis, which, in addition, will warrant the establishment of a full-scale service and maintenance unit.
"George Airport has the perfect infrastructure to cater for this type of operation - it's an all weather airport with permanent air traffic control and the necessary safety measures in place. It has full approach facilities and an excellent run-way, with lights, as well as good terminal facilities to process passengers and an executive lounge when required."
It was also these features that persuaded husband and wife team, Len and Les Alford, to establish their aircraft assembly plant in George 18 months ago.
Says Les: "We sourced around the country for a suitable home for our business, but in every respect George came out tops. It offers the full infrastructure of a bigger airport, but it is not too busy, for instance, to be allotted sufficient runway time to test-fly our aircraft. For us, having been based in KwaZulu-Natal before, the security offered at the airport was a major plus and then, of course, the Garden Route is a great place to live!"
Philip Gibbs, a founder director of Southern Cape Car Rentals 28 years ago and licencee for Budget in the area, was quick to realise that offering charter options for both tourists and business would pay handsome dividends.
"As aircraft owners, and already deeply involved in tourism, this seemed a logical step and once we've obtained the necessary licensing from the CAA, we launched our charter wing, SCCR Aviation, with scenic adventure and out-of -the-way trips," says Philip, chief pilot of the operation. "We offer tailor-made packages to our clients that include game farms or business trips throughout southern Africa down to affordable scenic flights for family and friends." The week I spoke to Philip his schedule included scenic flips along the Garden Route coastline, a two-day trip to Eastern Cape nature reserves and flying a honeymoon couple to Botswana.
"Comfort and safety is the trademark of our operation and the aircraft that we operate, ranging from light single-engine planes to twin-engine models with a capacity of carrying up to 10 people, are the most modern in the area. Our aim is to offer the tourist an experience not obtainable anywhere else."
For would-be pilots the Flight Training Centre offers courses up to commercial pilot's level , PetroSA keeps two helicopters on permanent standby at the airport to service the Mossel Bay oil rigs while technical engineer, Dave Milne, of Aquila Air Services , provides maintenance back-up for permanently-based as well as visiting prop-aircraft.
Jackie Joubert