Africa · Authority: SACAA
Flight training in South Africa
27 researched schools and 53 verified programs so far. This is the research done to date, not a complete list of every provider in South Africa.
Province:Eastern CapeFree StateGautengKwaZulu-NatalLimpopoMpumalangaNorthern CapeWestern Cape
27 schools
No coordinates are published for the bases in these results yet, so nothing can be plotted. The list below has every base.
All bases in these results
- Wonderboom Airport · Pretoria
Blue Chip Flight School - 43 Air School Port Alfred · Port Alfred
43 Air School - Progress Aerodrome · Gqeberha
Progress Flight Academy - Virginia Airport, Durban · Durban
Starlite Aviation Training Academy - Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport · Gqeberha
Algoa Flying Club - Grand Central Airport · Midrand
Avcon Jet Africa - Rand Airport · Johannesburg
Calcosa Aviation Training - George Airport · George
Flight Training College (FTC) - Aircape Maintenance Hangar, Walmer · Gqeberha
Helicopter Pilot Training Centre (Helipilot) - Nelspruit Airport · Nelspruit
Hover Dynamics (Hover.co.za) - Virginia Airport · Durban
JNC Helicopters - King Phalo Airport · East London
JNC Helicopters - Grand Central Airport · Midrand
Lanseria Flight Centre (LFC) - Hoedspruit Civil Airfield · Hoedspruit
Leading Edge Flight School (Hoedspruit) - Wonderboom Airport · Pretoria
Loutzavia Flight Training Academy - Rand Airport · Germiston
Eagle 1 Flight Academy - New Tempe Airport · Bloemfontein
Eagle Flight Academy - Hartswater · Hartswater
Eagle Flight Academy - Panorama Airfield · Alberton
Johannesburg Flying Academy - Rand Airport · Germiston
Safomar Aviation Operations (SAO) - Morningstar Airfield · Cape Town
Stick n Throttle - Margate Airport · Margate
Triple R Aviation (Flymargate / Zero Four Flight School) - Virginia Airport · Durban
Virginia Flight School (VFS) - Rand Airport · Germiston
Paramount Aviation Academy - Virginia Airport · Durban
AAA 4 Pilots - Cape Winelands Airport campus · Durbanville
Cape Town Flight Training Centre (CTFTC) - Cape Town International Airport · Cape Town
Cape Town International Aviation Academy (Cape Town Flying Club) - Lanseria office · Johannesburg
Excellentia Airline Academy (Aeronav Academy / Skyhawk Aviation) - Port Elizabeth Airport · Gqeberha
Madiba Bay School of Flight (MBSF)
Results are listed alphabetically; there is no price ranking because prices in different currencies, price types and bases are not comparable. Schools marked Sponsored are paid placements and never change approval status or order.
About training in South Africa
How pilot training is regulated
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.
Training pathways
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).
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.
Qualification terminology
Names and privileges are local to South Africa. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.
| Code | Official name | Minimum age | Regulatory minimum flight time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPL | Student Pilot LicenceLicence issued before training for a pilot licence; the SACAA checklist asks for identity proof and a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate. | 15 | n/pThe checklist lists identity proof of an applicant 15 years or older; no flight-hour minimum is stated. | official |
| PPL(A) | Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane)Private-level aeroplane licence issued under CAR 61.03 after approved training, theory examinations and a skills test. | 17 | 45 hTotal hours 45, of which 25 dual, 15 solo and 5 solo cross-country; ICAO language proficiency level 4 minimum. | official |
| PPL(H) | Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter)Private-level helicopter licence issued under CAR 61.04 after training at an approved Part 141 organisation. | 17 | 50 hTotal flight time 50 hours, including 25 hours dual and 15 hours solo (5 hours solo cross-country can count within the solo hours). | official |
| CPL(A) | Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane)Commercial aeroplane licence under CAR 61.05; requires a night rating and training at an approved Part 141 organisation. | 18 | 150 h200 hours total flight time (may include 20 hours FSTD), or 150 hours for a student on an integrated course; 100 hours PIC (70 integrated), 20 hours cross-country as PIC. | official |
| CPL(H) | Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter)Commercial helicopter licence under CAR 61.06 with the same age and medical class as the aeroplane CPL. | 18 | 150 h200 hours total flight time (may include 20 hours in an approved helicopter FSTD), or 150 hours for a student on an integrated course; 100 hours PIC (70 integrated), 20 hours cross-country as PIC. | official |
| ATPL(A) | Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane)Highest aeroplane licence under CAR 61.07; needs a valid instrument rating and a skills test with a DFE. | 21 | 1500 h1500 hours total flight time, plus 500 hours PICUS or 250 hours PIC, 200 hours cross-country, 75 hours instrument, 100 hours PIC or co-pilot by night. | official |
| ATPL(H) | Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter)Highest helicopter licence under CAR 61.08; requires a night rating. | 21 | 1500 h1500 hours flight time in helicopters, 250 hours PIC, 200 hours cross-country, 50 hours PIC or co-pilot by night. | official |
| NR | Night RatingRating issued under CAR 61.10, which is a prerequisite for the commercial licence and the instrument rating. | n/p | 10 h10 hours of dual instrument flight instruction (5 hours may be in an approved FSTD). | official |
| IR | Instrument RatingRating issued under CAR 61.11; applicants must hold a night rating and complete approved training and a skills test. | n/p | 10 h10 hours dual instrument training (5 may be in an approved FSTD) and 50 hours cross-country as PIC, 10 of them in the category sought. | official |
| MECR | Multi-engine class rating (initial class or type rating checklist)Class and type ratings are issued under CAR 61.09; the checklist lists hour prerequisites for multi-engine aeroplanes and the instruction an instructor must have given. | n/p | 100 hChecklist item: 100 hours as PIC for the multi-engine aeroplane class rating. | official |
| FI-III | Grade III Flight Instructor Rating (Aeroplane)Entry-level aeroplane instructor rating under CAR 61.12; holder must have a CPL or ATPL and complete instructor training at an approved ATO. | n/p | 20 h20 hours of flight instructor patter (at least 15 hours in an aircraft); not a total-experience minimum. | official |
| FI-II | Grade II Flight Instructor Rating (Aeroplane)Second instructor grade under CAR 61.13; requires an instrument rating and prior Grade III experience. | n/p | 200 h200 hours of flight instruction given as a Grade III flight instructor. | official |
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.
Terms you will meet
- 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.
Medical, language and instruction
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.
International students
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.
Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.
Foreign licences and conversion
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.
Country information last reviewed 16 October 2026. 7 official sources consulted.