1. What is an Air Safari?

2. Do I have to be a pilot to enjoy an Air Safaris tour?

3. What qualifications do I need as a pilot?

4. What about the aircraft?

5. How much do I have to fly with the group?

6. What about insurance?

7. Can I do extra, non-scheduled flying?

8. What happens if the weather grounds the group?

9. How many people are in each plane?

10. What if I am a pilot and I am travelling alone?

11. What are the Australian documentation and check flight requirements?

What is an Air Safari?

An air safari can be described as a "guided bicycle tour in the air". Up to 8 aircraft, flown by tour members, make up a tour group that follows a pre-planned route. Each group is led by a Lead Pilot, a local CPL, and a Tour Director. The Lead Pilot is responsible for the aviation aspects of the trip, and the Tour Director for the ground portion. Hotels, meals and ground tours are all pre-planned and pre-booked so that you can focus on enjoying the sights and the sounds of the country.

Do I have to be a pilot to enjoy an Air Safaris tour?

Definitely not! Our tours are ideal for anyone with a sense of adventure who enjoys getting off the beaten path and seeing a country from a unique perspective. The pacing of the tour has been established with the non-pilot in mind and the ground tours and events have been selected to give you an amazing in-country experience, one that will be appreciated by everyone.

If both you and your travel companion are non-pilots, no problem! We will provide you with your own pilot. Please contact us so that we can explain the options that are available.
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What qualifications do I need as a pilot?

A PPL with Day VFR certification is sufficient. Your medical must be current and you will need to complete a checkout on your aircraft prior to the first day of flying. It is therefore recommended that you get checked out at your local flying club prior to departure.
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What about the aircraft?

All tour planning and pricing is based on C-172's. These aircraft are provided by our aviation partner and, prior to the start of the tour, they will complete an inspection of the aircraft and certify their condition and ensure that there are more than enough open hours for the trip.

All planes will have standard NAV aids, including GPS. You may bring along your own GPS if you wish.

Want to fly something other than a C-172? Then just ask and we will do our best to find the type of plane that you want. Please note that an additional charge may apply
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How much do I have to fly with the group?

Every morning the Lead Pilot will check the weather, complete the daily flight plan and brief the pilots. The Lead Pilot will also submit the flight plan for each of the aircraft in the group.

If you do not wish to fly with the group on a particular day, let the Lead Pilot know and he or she will discuss an alternative flight plan with you.

While we will accommodate your requests whenever possible, safety is paramount. Therefore depending on the leg in question, the weather forecast and your level of experience, the Lead Pilot may recommend that you stay with the group on a particular day.
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What about insurance?

The aircraft are fully insured under the aircraft rental policy held by the local aviation partner.

In Australia you will be asked to sign a form accepting responsibility for the "deductible" or "excess" as it is called locally.

We recommend that you purchase standard personal medical and travel insurance, which can be purchased through your travel agent at the time of booking. This is a good practice whenever travelling internationally.

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Can I do extra, non-scheduled flying?

Yes - we will make every effort to accommodate these types of requests. If you wish to fly on a non-flying day, or if you wish to do a significant diversion from the planned route, please let us know ahead of time and discuss it with the Lead Pilot. He or she will go over the route with you and help ensure that you have no unpleasant surprises.

Because the tour price does not include the costs of such additional flying, you will be charged the extra time at the hourly rental rate for the aircraft.

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What happens if the weather grounds the group?

Unfortunately this can happen, even in the desert.

If we are delayed, the action taken will depend upon a number of factors, including tour members' Brisbane departure schedules, hotel room availability, weather forecasts and the stage of the tour when we experience the bad weather.

If we have to modify the route, our goal will be to provide at least a comparable experience.

While we will make every effort to mitigate the extra costs arising from weather delays, some additional costs may have to be borne by the tour participants.

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How many people are in each plane?

Each plane will have 2 tour participants, one of whom is a pilot. If both are pilots then they can share the flying as they wish.

For non-pilots, we have a number of options to consider, so please contact us to find out more.
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What if I am a pilot and I am travelling alone?

The tour has been designed for 2 people per plane and double occupancy. We will therefore match you up with another pilot or a non-pilot with whom you would travel and share accommodation. Prior to departure from home, we can put you in touch with your travel companion if requested.

Alternatively, if you wish to fly alone and have your own room, please contact us to find out the additional costs for this arrangement.

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What are the Australian documentation and check flight requirements?

In order to fly as PIC in Australia, three CASA [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] forms must be completed and processed. Here they are:

1. Aviation Reference Number [ARN] – CASA form 1162
   
   This form is used to create your ARN, which will be your personal permanent reference number within the Australian aviation system.

2. Aviation Security Identity Card [ASIC] – CASA form 639
   
   This card, once issued, is valid for 2 years and allows you to be on the “airside” area of an aerodrome. This clearance is required for pilots only. If you are travelling with a non-pilot, your clearance covers your companion, as long as you are in the immediate vicinity of each other.
   
   This application authorizes the Australian authorities to do a background security check.

3. Special Pilots Licence [SPECPL] – CASA form 213
   
   When flying in Australia, you will fly with a SPECPL which gives you PIC clearance based on your home country licence. It is valid as long as your existing licence is valid.

4. Check Flight
   
   With the above documents in hand, you can now proceed to the last step which is a check flight with a CFI or CFI designate. Typically this check flight is less than 2 hours. No written exam is required!

Please contact us if you have any questions.

As part of your air safari package, we will provide you with the necessary forms, give you guidance on completing them and then submit and track them on your behalf. We will also arrange your check flight with RQAC. All expenses are included in your tour price.

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