GRAND CENTRAL
– AVIATION COMPANIES GUIDE
Can Grand Central survive COVID? October 2021
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Introduction
GR A ND
CENT R A L A I R P OR T
There is a sense that 2021 is the make-or-break year for Grand Central. The Covid-19 pandemic may be the death blow to the airport – or alternatively it may survive, perhaps due to the glut of office space constraining further development and thus inhibiting any immediate plans for the development of the airport as offices and light factories. GRAND CENTRAL WAS ONCE one of the busiest General aviation airports in South Africa. Unfortunately, neglect and poor management in the past few years has meant that many of its tenants are leaving. The large terminal building is now looking worryingly deserted. For an ideally located general aviation airport, the potential should be huge. Recognising this the owners made a significant investment in August 2014 when the runway was redone. But unlike Rand Airport, in terms of future development, Grand Central can’t expand because the surrounding land is owned and managed by Old Mutual Properties.
reportedly looking quite seriously at using the land for the development of their multi-billion Rand Zonk’izizwe project. Pre-Covid-19 they were however, still in 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 hit 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
an airpor t is ultimately a business
The running down of the airport plays into the hands of Old Mutual Properties which is
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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.
Introduction
Grand Central is ideally located and should be doing better.
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
The terminal building - architecture reminiscent of Lenin's tomb
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Introduction
Under Covid-19 pressures and the loss of tenants the main building is worringly empty.
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.
Fo r an ide all y located general aviation airpor t , the potential should be huge 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.
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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, but the security requirements are considered too cumbersome for the diminished airport. j
FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES Flight Training Services (FTS) is a longestablished flight school conveniently based at Grand Central Airport. Being based at Grand Central gives FTS the ability to provide costeffective training which does not require lengthy holds on the ground, as is the case at large and busy airports – and yet Grand Central is still busy enough to make sure that the students learn to cope with a pressurised and demanding air space environment which lays for the foundation for the move up to commercial flying at busy airports. As a measure of the school’s excellence, it has attracted students from all over the world, from places as diverse as Nepal and Egypt. To accommodate international students, FTS has arranged excellent accommodation with full support services, including a bus to transport
students to and from the airport – which is just 10 minutes away. The school’s fleet consists of the universally popular Cessna C172, with fixed and retractable undercarriage, Piper Cherokees and a Twin Comanche for multi-engine training. All these aircraft are excellently maintained, as is evidenced by their high availability rate for training.
GRAND CENTRAL
FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES
The school’s owner and manager has established a solid reputation for excellent client service to her students – and this has meant that word of mouth and the power of personal recommendation have been the biggest drivers for the school’s steady growth. Contact the school at: 011 805-9015/6. Email: amanda@fts.co.za or visit: www.fts.co.za
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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 October 2021
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THE NEXT GENERATION OF PILOT & FLIGHT CREW TRAINING
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Comm ercia Grou l nd Sc h oo Indiv idual l subje c welco ts me.
zen ow o r F Ln P T A A e S EA vailabl a
• PROFESSIONAL TRAINING • PPL, CPL • AIRLINE PILOT’S LICENCE • JET RATING • SIMULATOR • GLASS COCKPIT • SUPERB FLEET
EASA Conve rsion
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SA Flyer 2013|02
ENROL NOW! LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE PILOT TRAINING • AIR CHARTER info@flylfc.com www.flylfc.com GRAND CENTRAL AIRPORT TEL: 011 3125166; 011 6592810 October 2021 CAA0040
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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. 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
Central Aerospace Medicine
D
r Kenneth Anthony Ingham is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner with rooms situated in the immediate vicinity of Grand Central Airport, Midrand. Dr Ingham is an experienced Aviation Medical Examiner with a career beginning in 1969 as a Flight Surgeon at Langebaan air Force Base. As a registered Senior SA CAA Aviation Medical Examiner, Dr Ingham’s practice (Central Aerospace Medicine) is suitably equipped to carry out the full range of medical examinations necessary for aviation relevant to pilots, air traffic controllers and cabin crew operating under licences issued in South Africa, Australia and Canada.
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He is in possession of a Certificate in Travel Medicine, a Diploma in Public Health and BSc (Hons) Aerospace Medicine and is registered with the Department of Labour for professional divers. He is also registered with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) for medical examinations of Seafarers. For more information contact Dr Ingham on: Tel: (011) 315-5817 Email: kaingham@hotmail.com Website: www.aerospace-medicine-sa.co.za Consulting rooms: Block A, First Floor, 49 New Road, Opposite Grand Central Airport, Randjiespark, Midrand. Registration Details: HPCSA: MP0123684 Practice No: 1559257 SA CAA: MS015
Canada: A-277 CASA: 587648 Dive Med: DM 041
SA Flyer 2021|10
GRAND CENTRAL
AVCON JET AFRICA
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LOCATIONS
CLICK LOCATION TO LINK TO INTERACTIVE MAP
FTS: PILOT FLIGHT TRAINING SERVICES
LANSERIA FLIGHT CENTRE
SOUTHERN MAPPING
AVCON JET AFRICA
DR K A INGHAM
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