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PPL Requirements:

Unlock Your Wings: Important Legal Steps for Your PPL: To earn your SACAA Private Pilot License and experience the freedom of flight, you'll need to meet specific legal requirements. 

Here are a few to get you started.

  • Be at least 17 years old.
  • Hold a valid aviation medical certificate.
  • Hold a restricted aeronautical radiotelephony certificate.
  • Have a valid Student Pilot Licence (SPL) or equivalent recent pilot licence experience.
  • Complete training at an approved flight school (ATO).
  • Pass theoretical knowledge exams.
  • Pass a practical flight skills test.

Flight Requirements:

  • A minimum of 45 hours total flight time in aeroplanes over 450 kg MCM.
  • At least 25 hours of dual flight instruction.
  • At least 15 hours of solo flight, including 5 hours of cross-country. This solo cross-country must include one triangular flight of at least 150 NM with landings at two different aerodromes at least 50 NM from base.
  • A maximum of 5 hours of dual instruction can be done in an approved flight simulator.

It's important to consult the official South African Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the associated South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS) 61 for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

CPL Requirements:

Your Professional Pilot Journey: Some of the Key Legal Requirements: As you pursue your SACAA Commercial Pilot License, understanding and meeting these legal requirements is essential for your professional aviation goals.

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Hold a valid aviation medical certificate issued in terms of Part 67 of the CARs.
  • Hold at least a valid general certificate of proficiency in radiotelephony (aeronautical).
  • Provide evidence of holding or having held within the previous 60 months:
    • A South African PPL(A).
    • A pilot licence (aeroplane) issued by a Contracting State (an ICAO member state).
    • A SPL where the applicant has completed an integrated training course approved by the Authority.
  • Have successfully completed the training as prescribed in Document 61 at an approved Part 141 Aviation Training Organisation (ATO).
  • Have passed the theoretical knowledge examination as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61.
  • Have passed the skills test referred to in regulation 61.05.4.
  • Hold a valid night rating (aeroplane).

Flight Requirements:

You must have completed not less than:

  • 200 hours of total flight time, which can include up to 20 hours of flight instruction time in an approved Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD); OR
  • 150 hours of total flight time if you have successfully completed an approved integrated training course.

This total flight time must include:

  • 100 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), or 70 hours as PIC if you completed integrated training.
  • 20 hours of cross-country flight time as PIC, including one flight of at least 300 NM with full-stop landings at not less than two different aerodromes away from base.
  • 5 hours of night flying as PIC, including at least 10 take-offs and 10 landings by night, and a cross-country flight with at least three legs, each a minimum of 50 NM.
  • 10 hours of instrument instruction time, with a maximum of 5 hours acquired in an FSTD.
  • At least 5 hours of instruction in an aeroplane with adjustable flaps, retractable undercarriage, and a variable pitch propeller or turbojet engine.

It's important to consult the official South African Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the associated South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS) 61 for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

 ATPL Requirements:

Commanding the Skies: Understanding the SACAA's Legal Requirements for ATPL: To take the helm of commercial aircraft, you must satisfy the comprehensive legal requirements established by the SACAA for the Airline Transport Pilot License. 

Here are some of the requirements.

  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Hold a valid Class 1 medical certificate issued in terms of Part 67 of the CARs.
  • Provide evidence of holding or having held within the previous 60 months:
    • A valid Instrument Rating (IR).
    • One of the following:
      • A South African Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) or Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A)).
      • A pilot licence (aeroplane) issued by a Contracting State (an ICAO member state).
      • A SPL where the applicant has completed an integrated training course approved by the Authority.
  • Have successfully completed the training as prescribed in Document 61 at an approved Part 141 Aviation Training Organisation (ATO).
  • Have passed the theoretical knowledge examination as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61.
  • Have passed the skills test referred to in regulation 61.07.4.

Flight Requirements:

You must have completed, in aeroplanes, not less than 1,500 hours of flight time, of which:

  • (a) Pilot-in-Command Under Supervision (PICUS): 500 hours must be PICUS; OR
  • (b) Pilot-in-Command (PIC): 250 hours must be PIC, of which up to 150 hours may be PICUS.
  • (c) Cross-Country Flight Time: 200 hours must be cross-country flight time, of which 100 hours may be as co-pilot or PICUS.
  • (d) Instrument Time: 75 hours must be instrument time, with a maximum of 30 hours acquired in an approved Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD).
  • (e) Night Flight Time: 100 hours shall be night flight time as PIC or as co-pilot.

It's important to consult the official South African Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the associated South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS) 61 for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

My Exams And Exercises (Where * 7 Day Ban Info ** 2 Month Ban Info):

Focus on Flying, Not Expiry Dates: Flight Path manages the complexities of your required flight exams, automatically calculating expiry and rewrite windows. This allows you to dedicate your energy to studying and preparation.

This regulation states that if you don't pass all the required theoretical knowledge examinations for a PPL, CPL, ATPL, or Grade III Flight Instructor Rating within a continuous 18-month period, you will have to retake all of them as if it were your first attempt.

General Rules:

  • You cannot apply to rewrite an exam until you've received the official result.
  • Once you pass an exam subject, you cannot retake it to improve your score unless the credit for that subject has expired.

Waiting Periods After Failing:

  • PPL, Night Rating, Restricted Radiotelephony Certificate:
    • You must wait at least 7 calendar days before rewriting a failed subject.
  • Other Flight Crew Licences/Ratings (excluding PPL, Night Rating), General Radiotelephony Certificate:
    • 1st or 2nd Failure: Wait at least 7 calendar days before rewriting the failed subject.
    • 3rd or Subsequent Failure: Wait at least 2 calendar months before rewriting the failed subject.
    • Score Below 50%: Regardless of the number of failures, you must wait at least 2 calendar months before rewriting the failed subject.
  • Low Score on 3rd+ Failure: The 2-month waiting periods for a low score and a third/subsequent failure are not cumulative; the 2-month period applies.

Compulsory Retraining Period:

  • The 2-calendar-month waiting period after a third or subsequent failure, or a score below 50%, is considered a compulsory retraining period. This is to encourage further study before attempting the exam again.

It's important to consult the official South African Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) and the associated South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards (SA-CATS) 61 for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

* 7 Day Ban info - 1st or 2nd Failure: Wait at least 7 calendar days before rewriting the failed subject.

** 2 Month Ban info - 3rd or Subsequent Failure: Wait at least 2 calendar months before rewriting the failed subject.