Game Capture or Counting Rating
A coveted rating in global demand
The game capture and counting rating holds tremendous value and is widely coveted by individuals across the globe, but it is especially in high demand within the vast and diverse landscapes of Africa. The continent's rich wildlife and expansive game reserves attract adventurers, conservationists, and professionals seeking to contribute to the protection and management of game animals.
At our professional training facility, our team of exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable instructors possess extensive experience in game capture operations. They are committed to nurturing and guiding aspiring pilots, instilling in them the necessary skills, expertise, and mindset required to navigate the unique challenges of game capture missions.
Our instructors understand the paramount importance of safety in every aspect of game capture operations. They impart their wealth of knowledge, emphasizing the significance of cautious and responsible piloting techniques. By prioritizing safety, they ensure not only the well-being of the pilots but also that of the entire team involved in these high-stakes operations, as well as the welfare of the game animals themselves.
As a trainee, you will receive comprehensive and specialized training, tailored to equip you with the skills to operate helicopters in close proximity to wildlife and challenging terrains. You will learn the art of precise maneuvering, executing actions with utmost precision and control, even when confronted with potentially hazardous flight conditions. Through rigorous practice and simulated scenarios, you will develop the ability to make split-second decisions while maintaining a vigilant awareness of the safety of all individuals and the welfare of the game animals being captured.
Moreover, our training program extends beyond technical expertise. We believe in fostering a deep understanding and appreciation for wildlife conservation, ethics, and the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural world. By emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable practices, we aim to produce pilots who are not only skilled aviators but also passionate advocates for the well-being and preservation of game animals and their habitats.
Upon successful completion of our rigorous training program, you will possess the coveted game capture rating, a testament to your proficiency, dedication, and commitment to the highest standards of safety and professionalism. With this prestigious rating, you will be well-equipped to undertake challenging game capture missions, contribute to wildlife management efforts, and make a positive impact in the game industry, both locally and globally.
Embark on this transformative journey with us, as we guide you towards becoming a skilled and cautious game-rated pilot, ready to navigate the thrilling and rewarding world of game capture operations while upholding the values of safety, conservation, and responsible stewardship of our natural heritage.
Everything you need to know about your Game Capture or Counting Rating
What you will learn
•Excellent hand & eye coordination •Helicopter limitations •Game Capture Maneuvers & Techniques •Animal illnesses •Poaching •Animal behavior •Animal habitats •Geographical topography •Specialized veterinary medicine
Description of our Game Capture Rating
In the game industry, helicopters have become extensively employed. In the past, horseback riders and motorcycles were used to round up game animals, but this approach posed challenges, especially in rugged terrain, leading to difficulties and injuries for both the team and the animals. To address this, the introduction of helicopters revolutionized game capture operations. A game capture rating enables individuals to responsibly cull and tranquilize game animals. The training for this rating involves mastering precise maneuvers near the limits of helicopter performance. Emphasis is placed on executing maneuvers that may expose pilots to potentially hazardous flight conditions. The game capture rating is highly sought after worldwide, with demand in Africa. Our team of highly experienced instructors is dedicated to guiding you on the path to becoming a skilled and cautious game-rated pilot, ensuring safety for all involved.
The South African minimum requirements for Game Capture Rating
•18 years old •A Class I or II Aviation Medical. oWe will assist you with booking your Aviation Medical appointment. •Hold a valid PPL(H), CPL(H) or ATPL(H) •Fluent in English (Speak, read, write, and understand) and pass the English Proficiency Examination if not already completed. •have successfully undergone a skills test demonstrating to a DFE, in a suitable helicopter for which the Helicopter Game or Livestock Cull Rating is sought, the ability to perform the procedures and manoeuvres, with a degree of competency appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of the Helicopter Game or Livestock Cull Rating.
Ground School Subjects: approx. 40hours
Henley Air Flight Training has an approved training syllabus for a game capture rating. Syllabus: •Airmanship •Understanding animals •Herding game/livestock •Emergency training Part of the syllabus is a ground school component of 2 hours.
Our Preferred Helicopters for your Game Capture Rating
Game capture can be conducted by any helicopter, but the Robinson R44 Helicopter is our preferred type. The game capture industry really took off with the introduction of the two-seater Robinson 22, and the upgraded Hughes 300 in the 80’s. The Robinson 22 remains a favourite because of its agility, manoeuvrability, and cost efficiency. Later, the addition of the Robinson 44 addressed the short comings of the 22 with regards to power and safety. The Robinson 44 helicopter is a durable machine that is widely used nowadays in South Africa for game work and aerial spraying. This helicopter is easily maintained and readily available.
Pass Requirements for your Game Capture Rating
There are no specific examinations. An applicant for a Helicopter Game or Livestock Cull Rating must have acquired the relevant experience that should at least include completion of not less than 250 hours of flight time as PIC of a helicopter of which not less than 5 hours of flight time of game or livestock cull operations must have been undertaken under the supervision of an appropriately rated Grade I or Grade II flight instructor who is the holder of a valid Helicopter Game or Livestock Cull Rating.
Flight Hours
•A minimum of 5 hours •A skill test of 1 hour