Ok Rockey things changed a little but since you were flying in South Africa.

here are some statistics as of March 2005

Number of pilots

Commercial Fixed wing 1963
commercial Rotorcraft 367
PPL fixed 4970
PPL rotorcraft 669
ATP fixed wing 1955
ATP rotorcraft 108

Total valid licences including student and microlight 13 516


Number of certified Helicopters in SA

Heli Piston 363
Heli 1 turbine 251
Heli 2 turbine 78
Heli 3 Turbine 1

Total number of aircraft 8935

Total certified aircraft 4751

Total experimental 4184 or 47%

Total Experimental Rotorcraft 54


Regards

hennie