About Us

National Airways Corporation (NAC) is the largest general aviation company in Africa and one of the largest of its kind in the world.

NAC offers a comprehensive range of aviation products and services to the aircraft and helicopter markets.

This includes:

• New and pre-owned sales
• Maintenance
• Parts
• Charter
• International operations
• Air ambulance services
• Aircraft leasing
• Helicopter pilot and technical training

NAC is based at Lanseria International Airport in Johannesburg and operates a South African network of offices at Rand Airport and the Ultimate Heliport in Johannesburg, the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and Virginia Airport in Durban.

NAC’s head office at Lanseria International Airport (ICAO:FALA) offers clients a comprehensive suite of services, inclusive of aircraft management on a 24/7 basis.

The world’s first Flight Safety Foundation BARS Gold Standard Operator. Read more about our Air Safety Policy.

Established in 1946, NAC’s strength lies in the relationships it has built over more than seven decades with clients and suppliers. These robust partnerships enable NAC’s experienced and professional staff to provide market-leading, cost-effective solutions, customised to our clients’ requirements.

Our international operations business has offices in Johannesburg and Malta. Our aircraft leasing business, NAC Flight Logistics, is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with Discovery Jets situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

NAC’s businesses and divisions work in close cooperation and are all supported by central finance, human capital and IT services.

On a combined basis, the NAC group operates almost 100 aircraft.

Helicopter Sales

New & pre-owned aircraft

NAC’s Helicopter Sales division is the independent representative for Bell Helicopters in six African countries and a dealer for Robinson Helicopters.

We also offer a wide range of pre-owned helicopters and have been the leading helicopter sales company on the African continent for decades.

Helicopter Operations and Charter

Charter

The helicopter operations division is based at the state-of-the-art Ultimate Heliport in Midrand and the V&A Waterfront. NAC operates an extensive fleet of executive helicopters for corporate, VIP charters and helicopter tours.

Charters can be arranged to VIP and corporate venues, game lodges or out-of-reach destinations. If you are not sure where to go, NAC’s expert Helicopter Operations team can make some excellent recommendations

Ultimate Heliport in Midrand

NAC has partnered with Ultimate Helicopters in a state-of-the-art, owned heliport in Johannesburg. The heliport is centrally located on the N1 Freeway in Midrand, opposite the Mall of Africa, with convenient and easy access from multiple directions. Being developed in two phases, the completed first phase on 32 hectares of land comprises 3,100 square meters of hangars, 2,800 square meters of office space, including a terminal building, VIP lounge facilities, a restaurant, fuel farm, EASA standard FATO (final approach and take-off area) and parking pads for up to 16 helicopters.

NAC Helicopters Cape Town

Sit back and relax as you take in the spectacular wonders of the fairest Cape in a safe and professional environment.

Based at the V&A Waterfront, NAC Helicopters Cape Town is the market leader in coastal sightseeing tours.

Our team offers personal, tailor-made helicopter charters for tourists, aviation enthusiasts and business executives, departing from the iconic V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport or other bespoke areas.

Accreditations

Our Helicopter Tour operations are accredited by the African Travel & Tourism Association.

Helicopter Operations

Firefighting

NAC provides specialist assistance in applications such as firefighting, utilising the UH-1H Huey and Bell 407 helicopters, making use of the Bambi Bucket and Cloudburst water dispensing systems to battle fires in any geographical location, construction hoisting and cargo slinging. Our pilots have significant slinging and lifting experience in both the military and civilian sectors, and our Helicopter Operations division has the equipment needed for a variety of slinging operations.

Game Ranch Assistance

Our crews also offer extensive expertise in game capture and counting, high-value cargo delivery, geological surveys and mine and powerline inspections.

Photography and Film

The photographic and film production sector needs to look no further than NAC. We have worked with the industry’s top professionals for many years and can assist with the hiring of equipment designed for specific use on helicopters.

Security

On the security front, NAC works exclusively for Netstar, the premier vehicle tracking specialist that uses helicopters to track and recover stolen vehicles.

Emergency Medical Services

Aero-medical emergency services can mean the difference between life and death.

NAC Helicopters is an emergency and mission-critical helicopter provider. With over 34 years of experience in the field and an impeccable safety and delivery record, we have become one of the most trusted and dependable operators in the Southern African industry.

Our commitment to working seamlessly with our customers has earned us the reputation of a partner, not a supplier. We operate within a reinforced culture of safety, competency and commitment to offer superior service delivery to our customers.

NAC operates several helicopters equipped with state-of-the-art EMS equipment that can be hired for patient transport or as standby for sporting and other events.

Helicopter Pilot Training

NAC’s helicopter pilot training is conducted at the Ultimate Heliport and Rand Airport.

The school has extensive experience in training from ab-initio to advanced commercial qualifications, and our graduates have gone on to become captains with helicopter operators across Africa and the world.

Our programmes include:

• Instrument Rating,
• nstructors Rating,
• Conversion Training,
• Game Capture and Cull Ratings,
• External Load Rating,
• and all types of advanced pilot training.

Helicopter Maintenance

NAC’s helicopter maintenance facility at Rand Airport undertakes complete factory-authorised maintenance and overhaul services for Bell and Robinson helicopters. We are the only Bell Helicopter Customer Service Facility in Southern Africa and Rolls Royce Model 250 engine Authorised Maintenance Centre in Africa, positioning NAC to provide a full range of world-class overhaul, repair and maintenance services with parts support, at competitive prices. NAC also represents Able Engineering with regard to parts repair and approved alternate parts supply.

NAC has an exclusive supply agreement for Lord Corporation’s range of helicopter Elastomeric products and distributes the Aeronautical Accessories range of products.

Technical Training

NAC’s technical training facility at Rand Airport offers a first-year theoretical and practical syllabus for the Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic trade, demonstrating the group’s dedication to the aviation industry and the development of essential skills in South Africa.

On successful completion of the first year’s basic training, students must complete a further 18 months to two years of on-the-job training in line with requirements from both TETA and the SACAA.