How to Become a Pilot in South Africa

How to Become a Pilot in South Africa: To become a Pilot in South Africa is more than just going to aviation school, you must be licensed based on the course you study.

In South Africa, becoming a pilot takes 18 months. A Commercial Pilot license will set you back roughly $50,000. The cost varies depending on the academy and training center where the course is taken.

More qualification in the aviation sector is required to walk yourself to the top. To secure a decent position in the sector, you will need the Instrument Rating Certificate, which will cost you roughly $50,000. Aviation schools in South Africa are quite expensive; you would need a large sum of money to become a pilot or take a course in aviation.

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What are the requirements to study aviation?

To be eligible to study at any South Africa Aviation School, you must meet the school admission requirements. Applicants must have at least a 50% score in their 10th examination in all subjects. Also, applicants are expected to pass their 10+2 examination from a recognized board with at least a 50% score in the following subjects;

English
Physics
Mathematics.

How to become a Pilot in South Africa

To become a Pilot in South Africa is more than just going to aviation school, you must be licensed based on the course you study. There are two types of pilot licenses in South Africa that you can study for and each has its own requirements.

The two pilot licenses are below;

Private Pilot License (PPL)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Private Pilot License Requirements

Below are the requirements aspirants are to meet to study in aviation school n South Africa to get a Private Pilot License;

Applicants/Candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
Candidates should have at least 2 passport photographs (Advisably 8)
Candidates must hold a minimum of class 1 or class 2 medical certificates.
Candidates must have completed an aircraft technical and an Airline Exam.
Candidates must possess an ICAO certificate for language proficiency.

Commercial Pilot License requirements

Candidates who apply for the Commercial Pilot License will undergo more advanced training than those applying for Private Pilot License. Below are the requirements candidates applying for this must meet

Minimum of 18 years old applicants
Possess a Private Pilot License.
Possess a valid class 1 medical certificate.
Have obtained a valid general proficiency in radiotelephony certificate.
Have obtained and held proof of proficiency in the English language.
Hold a night rating.
Hold a minimum record of 200 hours flight time, which should include;
- 50 hours PIC cross country flight
- 100 hours PIC flight time
- 40 hours dual instrument time of which 20 hours must be done in an approved FSTD
- 5 hours PIC night flight
- 5 hours flight dual in an aircraft with an adjustable flap or turbojet engine.

Is South Africa a good place for pilot training?

South Africa has a fast-growing aviation industry, aviation schools offer a broad spectrum of pilot training. The country also has Aerobatic Box which makes it possible to do aerobatic training at the airport.