Starlite Aviation Group

Starlite Aviation Group offers helicopter, aeroplane and drone services. Starlite Aviation is a subsidiary of SAF Aerogroup. It provides these services through Ireland, South Africa, Mauritius and key locations across Africa. The company has operated on five continents and in over 30 countries. Its operations are based at Virginia Airport in Durban, South Africa.

Starlite Aviation Operations is a helicopter and fixed wing company. It flies to Africa, the Middle East and other countries around the world. The company describes its work as being in some of the harshest and most remote environments. Its management team has a long background in aviation.

Medevac and air ambulance work is a major part of the business. The company can send rescue, medical evacuation and operational teams to remote areas at short notice. Its air ambulance service includes an advanced life support ICU team and highly qualified medical practitioners and paramedics. Starlite also lists past work in Mali, Kosovo, Liberia during the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Afghanistan, Sudan and with Netcare 911. For Liberia it used a Bell 412.

The company provides aerial fire fighting with a range of helicopters. Its crews can carry out cargo sling water bombing with Bambi Buckets. Starlite also offers rescue and relief flights, passenger and cargo transport, and services for the oil, gas and mining sectors. Maintenance and logistics support are provided on site.

Helicopter charter and tour flights cover government VIP and business travel, corporate team building, air safaris, heritage site visits, mountain and coastal resort flights, and flights for major events. Scenic flight packages are also offered for anniversaries, birthdays, proposals and other special occasions.

Starlite runs a pilot training academy. Courses include the private pilot licence, commercial pilot licence, airline transport pilot licence, remote pilot certificate for drones and simulator training. The company also sells new and pre-owned helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, and it offers elite simulators.

Starlite says safety and quality are its top priorities. Its clients include governments, corporate customers, commercial operators and military customers. The company was co-founded by Slade Thomas and Karl Kebert about 20 years ago at Virginia Airport.

Services

• Helicopter charter and tour flights
• Medevac and air ambulance
• Aerial fire fighting
• Passenger and cargo transport
• Rescue and relief
• Pilot training
• Drone pilot training
• Simulator training
• New and pre-owned aircraft sales
• Aircraft maintenance