Flight training in South Africa

In South Africa, pilot licences and ratings are issued by the SACAA under Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) with detailed training and test standards in the technical standards document SA-CATS 61. Licence applications are checked against published requirement checklists, and the training for most licences and ratings must be completed at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) certified under Part 141. Part 62 covers national pilot licences such as recreational licences. The SACAA warns that advertising aviation training without SACAA approval is an offence and tells students to verify an ATO's certificate and OpSpec.

Source: caa.co.za/industry-information/personnel-licensin

• South African Civil Aviation AuthorityNational aviation regulator: issues and renews pilot licences and ratings through its Personnel Licensing function, approves Approved Training Organisations, and oversees aviation medical certification through designated examiners.

Listing here does not imply affiliation. Flight School Atlas is independent of every aviation authority.

• Private pilot (aeroplane)

  Student pilot licence, flight training at an approved ATO, eight theoretical knowledge subjects and a skills test lead to the PPL(A).

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• Commercial pilot (integrated or modular)

  The commercial pilot licence checklist sets lower hour minimums for students on an integrated course than for other applicants, and requires a night rating and Class 1 medical.

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Names and privileges are local to South Africa. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.

A regulatory minimum is a legal floor for the qualification. It is not the number of hours most students need, and not a guarantee of cost or completion time.

ATO

Approved Training Organisation certified under Part 141 to train for pilot licences and ratings.

SA-CATS 61

Civil Aviation Technical Standards document that prescribes the training and examinations for Part 61 licences.

DFE

Designated Flight Examiner who conducts skills tests.

OpSpec

Training Operations Specification issued with an ATO certificate; students are advised to ask for and verify it.

Part 62

National pilot licences (for example recreational licences) as distinct from the Part 61 licences.

SACAA medical certificates are issued by Designated Aviation Medical Examiners; Class I is for airline transport and commercial pilots, Class II for private and student pilots, and Class IV for recreational pilots. Official medical information

The PPL(A) checklist lists an ICAO Language Proficiency certificate (minimum level 4), and other licence checklists require proof of English language proficiency under CAR 61.01.7.

Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.

A foreign student should look into a South African study visa from the Department of Home Affairs, which asks for an acceptance letter from the learning institution. Separately, the SACAA says no training or testing for a South African licence may take place at a foreign training organisation or simulator without the Director's prior written consent. Verify the ATO's certificate and OpSpec with the SACAA. Nothing here promises a visa or admission.

• Home Affairs: South African visas (study visa section)
• SACAA training and ATO approval

Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.

The SACAA evaluates foreign licences and offers application forms for validating or converting a foreign licence or rating, plus a 28-day validation for private day VFR or recreational flying. The 28-day form asks that the request be submitted 60 days before arrival so the licence can be verified with the issuing country.

• CA 61-01.13 Application for validation or conversion of foreign licence or rating
• CA 61-01.15 28-day validation of foreign pilot licence
• CA 62-01 Validation of foreign national pilot licence