Pilot Licences and Ratings Offered

PRIVATE PILOT LICENSE (PPL)

What is a Private Pilot’s License?

The Private Pilot’s license is the first level to attain before you will be able to pilot an aircraft with passengers but without being paid for it. It is for the most part for the private individual to fly for enjoyment and for the aspiring Commercial Pilot, the chance to build hours. The training program teaches the basic and most important principles and actions to power an aircraft into the sky and return it safely to the ground.

To qualify for the South African Private Pilot’s Licence, you will need to be at least 17 years of age, a holder of a valid Student Pilots Licence and a holder of a class one or two medical certificate. A practical flight test needs to be conducted by a grade two flying instructor.

The following are the MINIMUM requirements before undertaking the practical flight test:

  • Must be at least 17 years of age
  • Hold a class 1 or 2 medical certificate
  • Hold a restricted or general radiotelephony certificate
  • Hold a valid Student Pilot License
  • Hold an ICAO language proficiency certificate (min. level 4)
  • 45 hours total flight time by the end of the course, the 45 hours must include:
    • ≥ 25 dual hours with an instructor
    • ≥ 15 solo hours as PIC
    • ≥ 5 hours cross country PIC
      • which must include one triangular cross-country flight of at least 150 NM, on which at least one point must be not less than 50 NM from base and must include full-stop landings at two different aerodromes away from base.

SACAA Exams that you must pass:

  • Air Law
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
  • Principles of Flight
  • Human Performance
  • Flight planning
  • Aircraft Technical & General
  • Restricted Radiotelephony

NIGHT RATING

What is a Night Rating License?

A Night Rating affords the competent Private Pilot the chance to conduct operations at night. It effectively increases the versatility and skill of the pilot as flying at night requires comprehensive judgment to conduct a flight safely and effectively. It is a requirement for the aspiring Commercial Pilot to have a Night Rating and it’s also the practical second step to take towards their Commercial License.

What are the requirements?

  • Must hold a valid Student Pilot License on an integrated course or hold a valid Private Pilot License
  • Must have 5 hours of theoretical training
  • Must have 10 hours dual instrument flight instruction (5 hours may have been completed in an approved FSTD)
  • Must have completed 5 take-offs and landings by night
  • Night cross country of at least 150nm and including two full stop landings at different aerodromes

SACAA Exams you must pass:

  • Night Rating

COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE

(Must have a Night Rating)

What is a Commercial Pilots License?

This is a combined course, including a CPL and a Single Engine Instrument Rating OR Multi Engine Instrument Rating. It entitles you to fly commercially, taking control of bigger aircraft and getting paid to do what you love and is significantly valuable for flying under IFR is the ability to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (such as inside clouds).

The options available are as follows:

  • CPL Single-engine VFR
  • CPL Single Engine IR
  • CPL Multi-engine VFR
  • CPL Multi-engine IR

CPL Single-engine VFR/ CPL Single Engine IR

While the single-engine CPL VFR is the most cost-effective way to obtain a commercial pilot licence it is also unfortunately the most limiting. With a single engine VFR (Visual Flight Rules) you will only be able to fly single-engine aircraft in favourable weather conditions. You may choose the option to complete the single engine CPL IR (Instrument Flight Rules), this allows you to pilot an aircraft in marginal/ deteriorating weather conditions by learning to fly solely on reference to the aircrafts instrumentation. This is less limiting than a VFR licence but you will still only be able to fly single-engine aircraft which will significantly narrow down the number of commercial operations who will be able to employ you due to fleet requirements.

CPL Multi-Engine VFR/ CPL Multi Engine IR

While the CPL multi-engine IR is the most expensive option available due to the increased costs of operating a multi-engine aircraft it is without a doubt the most marketable commercial licence when it comes to applying for a job as it is the least restrictive of the CPL licences. Very few people will choose the option of doing a Multi-engine VFR CPL as an instrument rating is a vital qualification when working towards becoming a career pilot.

What are the requirements?

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Hold a valid class 1 medical certificate
  • Hold a valid general certificate of proficiency in Radiotelephony
  • Hold a valid Private Pilot License
  • Hold a Night Rating
  • Show proof of English Language Proficiency
  • A minimum of 200 hours total flight time, which must include the following:
    • 200 hours minimum flying time
    • 100 hours minimum as Pilot in Command
    • 5 hours minimum as Pilot in Command by night
    • 5 hours minimum Dual Complex flying time
    • 20 hours minimum cross country (Commercial Pilot’s Licence without IF rating)
    • 20 hours minimum instrument flight time of which 10 hours may be accumulated on a simulator
  • If obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument Rating, then the following applies:
    • 50 hours minimum cross country (Commercial Pilot’s Licence with IF rating)
    • 40 hours minimum instrument flight time of which 20 hours may be accumulated on a simulator (Commercial Pilot’s Licence with IF Rating)
  • If obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence with a Multi Engine Class Rating, then the following applies:
    • 8 Hours minimum Multi Engine Dual flying time

Exams that you must pass:

  • Flight Planning & Performance
  • Instruments & Electronics
  • ATG
  • Human performance
  • Air Law & Operational Procedures
  • Navigation
  • Radio aids & Communication
  • Aviation Meteorology
  • General Radiotelephony

INITIAL INSTRUMENT RATING ONLY

An Instrument rating is a vital rating for any pilot wanting to pursue a career as a pilot in the aviation industry. It can either be completed as part of your commercial pilot license training or as an additional rating once you have completed either a private pilot license or commercial pilot license.

An instrument rating will teach the pilot how to safely control an aircraft in marginal weather conditions (IMC – Instrument Meteorological Conditions) by sole reference to the cockpit instrumentation. Not only will this rating significantly improve overall safety, but it is a necessity for any pilot wanting to be competitive in the job market.

Requirements for the issue of an Instrument Rating:

  • Hold a valid Private Pilots’ Licence (PPL) with a night rating.
  • Have a Class 1 medical.
  • Pass the SA-CAA required examinations.
  • Completed 50 hours of cross-country time as pilot in command (PIC).
  • Complete a minimum of 40 hours of instrument flight time, 20 of which may be completed on approved simulators. If a multi-engine instrument rating is sought, a minimum of 5 hours instrument flight time must be acquired in a multi-engine aircraft.
  • Pass a practical flight test, conducted by a Grade One Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).
  • Be the holder of a General Radio Telephony licence.

INITIAL MULTI-ENGINE CLASS RATING ONLY

A Multi-Engine Land (MEL) rating allows a pilot to operate as pilot-in-command of an aircraft with more than one engine. Flying a multi engine aircraft is a cornerstone of being a Commercial Pilot and ensures the new CPL individual is as marketable as possible in the General Aviation marketplace. It is highly recommended that a pilot obtains this rating.

Requirements for the issue of a (VFR) Multi-Engine Class rating:

  • Hold a valid Pilots Licence.
  • Have at least 70 hours of Pilot in Command time on single engine aircraft and complete a minimum of 6 hours of multi-engine flight time.
  • Successfully complete a practical flight test with a Grade One Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).

INITIAL MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUMENT RATING

Requirements for the issue of a Multi-Engine / IFR rating:

  • Hold a valid Pilots Licence.
  • Candidate to complete the Initial Instrument Rating and Initial Multi Engine Rating first.
  • Successfully complete a practical flight test with a Grade One Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).

MULTI-ENGINE with INSTRUMENT RATING LESSON PLAN

IN COMPLIANCE WITH SACATS 61.11:  Candidate first to complete Instrument Rating Syllabus and the Initial Multi-Engine Rating Syllabus, then to complete the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating Syllabus.

INITIAL GRADE 3 INSTRUCTOR RATING

What is a Grade 3 Instructors Rating?

Obtaining an Instructors Rating is money well invested. The most natural place for a Commercial Pilot to build hours towards an ATPL is by becoming a Flight Instructor.

A Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating allows you to give flying training in all sequences for a Private Pilot License and a Commercial Pilot License.  An Instructor’s rating improves your abilities and skills and enhances employment opportunities and is mostly a requirement if you are interested in joining the Airlines.

Requirements for the issue of an Instructor Rating:

  • The only requirement is a valid Commercial Pilot Licence.

Practical Training

  • 20 hours of patter training of which 5 hours may be on a Simulator
  • 80 hours of Flight Instruction Briefings and Preparation
  • Pass a practical skills test in lecturing and air exercises with a Designated Flight Examiner
  • The following subjects need to be passed with a pass mark of at least 75%:
    • Applied Meteorology & Navigation
    • Principles of Flight & Legislation

AIRLINE TRANSPORT LICENCE

If you want to go all the way and become an Airline Captain this is the license that you will have to acquire. This is also the highest qualification you can get as a Pilot.

Requirements for the issue of an Airline Transport Licence:

  • This license consists of a ground school phase and to qualify for your ATPL you will require 1500 hours of flying experience which includes:
  • 250 hours as Pilot in command;
  • 75 hours of instrument flying and
  • 100 Night hours pilot in command
  • You must be at least 21years old.
  • You must have completed a multi-crew cooperation course at an approved ATO.
  • You must hold a valid medical certificate and subjects can be completed as soon as you have received your CPL. After passing your last ATPL subject, you have 5 years to complete your flight hours.
  • The ATPL subjects are as follows:
  • Navigation General
  • Meteorology
  • Aircraft Technical & General
  • Flight Planning
  • Instruments
  • Radio Aids

Frozen Airline Transport Licence Requirements:

  • Pass the 6x CAA Written ATPL Exams                              
  • Pay the SACAA Frozen ATPL Licence                           

Note:

  • The above is for a student that completes the course in the required minimum time.
  • However, students may require additional training to meet the required standard, and therefore additional costs will be incurred.

Email info@algoafc.co.za for a detailed quotation