about us
About Helivate
Born from Passion. Defined by Precision.
At Helivate, we don’t just operate helicopters; we live for the sky. Established in 2011, we’ve grown from a bold vision into South Africa’s premier helicopter hub. With operational bases in Gauteng and the Western Cape, we’ve built a community where world-class training meets life-changing adventure.
More Than a Flight School. A Pilot’s Community.
We believe flying should be as exciting as it is professional. We are famous for putting together the most ambitious helicopter events in Southern Africa. Whether you are a student or a seasoned pilot, we provide the platform to push your limits:
The Epic Expeditions
Join us on legendary cross-country journeys like the Wild Coast Epic and the Lake Jozini Jolly.
Hour Building
Unique opportunities for pilots to sharpen their skills while exploring the continent’s most breathtaking terrain.
Elite Training Events
From our technical Mountain Flying Trip to the high-stakes fun of the Heli Olympics.
Day Missions
Quick-strike adrenaline hits with our 1-Day Events and the signature Helivator Hops.
Our Credentials
The Gold Standard
Safety and compliance aren’t just checkboxes—they are the foundation of everything we do. Helivate is fully SACAA Licensed and strictly governed across all facets of aviation:
Part 141 (ATO)
A certified Helicopter Training Organisation, shaping the next generation of accomplished pilots.
Part 127 (Commercial)
Licensed for Helicopter Charter Operations, delivering seamless, professional air travel.
Part 145 (AMO)
Our own Approved Aircraft Maintenance Facility. We maintain our fleet in-house to ensure every aircraft is in pristine, peak-performance condition.
Our Training Bases
Located on the West Rand, our Krugersdorp base offers convenient access for students in Gauteng.
Our Cape Town base provides a stunning training environment surrounded by the scenic landscapes of the Western Cape.
Our Team
The Helivate Promise
We are a dynamic, expert team dedicated to one goal: Excellence in the Air. Whether you are booking a bespoke charter to skip the traffic, or embarking on a career as a commercial pilot, you are backed by a team that obsessed over the details. No congestion. No stress. Just focused flight time and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve landed.
Paul Cumming
- Director
Hayley Cumming
- Director & CEO Chief Pilot CFI
- CFI Cape Winelands
Moment Nyadembera
- Aircraft ground handler
Zhou Hamandishe
- Aircraft Engineer & Hangar Supervisor
George Gerber
- Flight Instructor & Charter Pilot
- HelivateHQ
Cheryl Cumming
- Event Coordinator "Mother Hen"
Johano Bothma
- Chief Flight Instructor Charter Pilot
- HelivateHQ
Federico Chabrat
- Flight Instructor & Charter Pilot
- Cape Winelands
Fleet
OUR FLEET POWERS THE NEXT GENERATION OF HELICOPTER PILOTS
Our modern training helicopters are carefully selected to provide students with a safe, reliable, and professional learning experience. Each aircraft in our fleet is maintained to the highest aviation standards, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and comfort during every flight.
Robinson 44 Raven II
We currently operate the highly successful and economical Robinson 44 Raven II helicopter.The Robinson R44 Raven II enjoys a high range of distribution worldwide due to its reliability and range of application and is, because of this, an integral part of our fleet. One pilot and up to 3 passengers find their places in the Robinson R44 Raven II.
AlouetteIII SA 316B
We also operate turbine helicopters such as the Alouette III for commercial and training operations and even for charters and we offer Turbine Conversions onto the Alouette III. We have highly-experienced instructors available to train you for Long Line and Short Line Sling endorsements on the Alouette III.
Turbine helicopters offer increased power and carrying capacity but with an associated increase in cost. One pilot and 5 to 6 passengers find their places in ultimate comfort in the Alouette III.
Robinson R66 Turbine
We operate the latest Robinson helicopter, the R66 a rolls-royce RR300 turboshaft engine, with five seats and a separate cargo compartment makes it the ideal for VIP charter, heavier loads, asset transfer and initial turbine ratings. One Pilot and 3 to 4 passengers.
Bell 407
Built for reliability, speed, performance and a cabin configurable for an array of missions and payloads. The Bell 407 is the ultimate in VIP comfort, quick A to B travel and perfect for corporate transfer. One pilot and 5 to 6 passengers.
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
When considering helicopter charter for the first time, it is sometimes quite daunting to pick up the telephone and not understand fully what you need or think you need to be asking for. To this end, we have answered some of your questions for you. We do however receive the very, very odd question to which we have not included in the summary below. Example prices –
Wedding Flights
A wedding flight will typically cost a minimum of R8500 for a short flight between two points. This is normally the minimum cost to be expected plus possible landing and ferry fees from and too our Airport base.
Matric Dance Flights
A Matric Dance Flight will typically cost a minimum of R7500 for a short flight between two points. This is usually the minimum cost to be expected plus any possible landing fees and ferry flights from and too our Airport base.
01Are there any additional costs to the charter quotation?
Our Operations Department will give you a fully inclusive price based on your charter request.
02Can helicopters fly at night?
03Can we land the helicopter anywhere?
Any helicopter operator required two(2) things to be able to land at a designated site:-
- The land owner’s permission
- The site must be of suitable dimensions and clear of obstructions to meet our specific helicopter performance criteria.
04Can weather be a problem?
Weather can pose a problem. Fog, rain and excessive wind are the biggest problems making it impossible to land at a private site. However, subject to observing certain minima, we can fly an instrument approach into a suitable equipped airport which may be close by!