About Us

Founded out of Necessity

Avex Air Training was initially established as a family-run flight training organisation in 1965, the passion and desire for continual improvement inherent in the business paved the way for what would become a formidable player within the South African aviation sector. Over the years the group has grown organically, by responding to needs that are linked to its current operations, and today, more than fifty years later, its divisions include Avex Air Transport, Avex Information Products, Avex Professsional Tools and Avex Air Technical.

Aircraft Operators Consultancy is a division of Avex Information Products, and is the newest offering in our regulatory world. We identified a requirement in our own fleet and have since turned our learning curve into a service we know will be of valuable to many Aircraft Operators in future. The murky waters of regulation can sometimes swamp even the most efficiently run fleet, we believe that Johan van Schalkwyk and his team have the right credentials and expertise to successfully navigate you through.

Avex Information Products (Pty) Ltd supplies a broad spectrum of reference and specification documentation, maps and flight guides, as well as regulatory information critical to operational compliance with international aviation standards. In addition to distributing publications for a broad spectrum of aviation industry specialists, we edit and publish our own pilot study notes ranging from the Private Pilot License (PPL) to the Airline Transport Pilots License (ATPL).

Avex Information Products is the appointed Southern African representative for:

  • Aircraft Technical Publishers (ATP),
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA),
  • International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),
  • IHS MARKIT – Maritime & Trade
  • Jane’s by IHS MARKIT – Aerospace, defence and security solutions,
  • Jeppesen Navigation Products

Meet The Team

• Has been in Aviation Since 1992 (27 years)
• Holds an active Airline Transport Pilot’s License with
6200 hrs experience.
• Completed Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Ship on both Airframe and engines
• Worked on General Aviation Aircraft types namely Cessna,
Beechcraft, Piper and Grumman types during maintenance.
• Has worked as Commercial/Airline Pilot, conducting Airborne Geophysical Survey Exploration, Medical Evacuation, Photographic Surveys, Charter, Corporate Aviation, and 10 years Airline Line Flying.
• Has worked for the South African Civil Aviation Authority as
a Large Aircraft Flight Operations Inspector.
• Obtained Qualifications from ICAO, IATA, FAA, EASA and JAA and specialised in the following Aviation Specialities:
– Fatigue Risk Management Systems (FRMS),
– Quality Management Systems (QA)
– Safety Management Systems (SMS)
– ICAO – GSI, AOC, RVSM, ETOPS, Special Nav Ops, Dispatcher Training
– FAA/EASA/JAA – MMEL/MEL/MEL Construction Specialist, ETOPS/EDTO, PBN, RNP APCH, MNPS, LVO’s
– Train the trainer
• Manager and shareholder of AOC (Aircraft Operators Consultancy) assisting clients in the aviation industry (globally) in documentation, special approvals, AOC’s applications, training etc.

Johan Van Schalkwyk
Divisional Manager

• Business History:
1994-1997: Founding Director of Usatco International S.A. (Pty) Ltd;
1998-2003: Founding Director of Avex Aerospace & Industrial Tools (Pty) Ltd;
2003 to Date: Managing Director of Avex Air Training (Pty) Ltd following merger

Currently CEO of the Avex Group of Companies, namely:
Avex Air Training, Avex Air Transport, Avex Air Technical, Avex Professional Tools, Avex Information Products, Avex Properties, Avex Holdings

• Aviation History:
1994 – Date: Managing private aircraft on behalf of owners
1999 to Date: Managing AOC Operations – Cargo Carriers, TAB Charters and Avex Air Transport.
This includes roles such as RP Flight Operations, Chief Pilot, RP Aircraft, CEO.
International Ferry Pilot experience – 11 Aircraft (piston, turbo-prop and jet) to and from Europe, North America and South America)
Aircraft purchases – conducted pre-purchase inspections as well as SA registry/de-registry of aircraft in the USA, England, Germany, Denmark and Brazil.
AMO Validations – conducted in England, USA and Denmark with CAA personnel.
7000 Hours of Flight Time – Fixed wing piston, turbo-prop and jet. Still averaging more than 300 hours per annum and current on all three types.

David Chandler
CEO and RPFO

• Business History:
1994-1997:  Sales Manager – USATCO International S.A. (Pty) Ltd
1998-2003: Founding Director –  Avex Aerospace & Industrial Tools (Pty) Ltd
2003-Date: Director – Avex Air Training (Pty) Ltd

Currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Avex Group of Companies, namely:
Avex Air Training, Avex Air Transport, Avex Air Technical, Avex Professional Tools, Avex Information Products, Avex Properties, Avex Holdings

• Aviation History: 
RPA (Responsible Person – Aircraft) for Avex Air Transport (Pty) Ltd
6500 Hours of Flight Time – Fixed wing, turbo prop and jet. Average over 400 hours per annum on Dornier 328 as Captain and on C425 Conquest turbo prop aircraft.
Extensive experience in all vertical integrations of Avex’s aviation interests since 1994 to date.
Experience managing technical processes with aircraft maintenance and pilot AOC requirements within the AOC parameters.
Facilitated extensively with aircraft management for both Avex owned aircraft as well as client’s aircraft from 1998 to date.

Richard Chandler
COO and RPA

Manager of the Avex Information Products Division

Speciality: AOC Management and Administrative Coordination

15 years’ experience in administration and part of the Avex group since 2013. Proficient in MS Office applications including Word, and self-titled Queen of Excel. Disciplined, efficient and detail oriented – exactly what you need in a document editing support team.
Proudly coordinating sales activities for AOC, as well as the Information Products Division brands:

  • Jane’s by IHS Markit
  • ATP – Aircraft Technical Publishers
  • Jeppesen
  • ICAO / IATA
  • NavBlue
  • Avex Student Pilot Study Notes and Pilot Shop
Monique Bethwaite
Divisional Manager