Licenses:

Under the SACAA system the main pilot license types are:

• Student pilot license (SPL)

• Private pilots license (PPL)

• Commercial pilots license (CPL) 

• Airline transport pilot license (ATPL)

License names may be suffix with (A) for aeroplanes or (H) for helicopters.

 

Recreational licences are also available under separate regulations for lighter aircraft categories.

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Such as:

National pilots license ( NPL )

 

The national pilots license is the most basic SACAA pilot license. The holder shall be entitled to act as PIC of an aircraft registered within the Republic of South Africa, but not for reward or remuneration. Under VMC and by day only. Limited to certain aircraft weights.

 

Student Pilot Licence (SPL)

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The SPL is the first step in flight training. It allows a student to fly solo under instructor supervision once authorised.

 

Requirements include:

• Minimum age of 16 years

• Valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate

• English language proficiency

 

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

The PPL allows the holder to conduct non-commercial flights. Flights are conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) 

 

Minimum requirements typically include:

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• Minimum age: 17 years

• Valid Class 2 medical certificate

• Completion of approved theoretical knowledge training also known as Ground School

• Passing SACAA PPL theoretical examinations

• Minimum of 45 hours flight training

• Solo cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles with full-stop landings at two aerodromes other than the point of departure

 

License is awarded after a skills test conducted by a SACAA-designated flight examiner. (DFE) 

 

Extending your privileges. Licensed pilots may expand their privileges by adding ratings, including:

 

• Night Rating, which is required for CPL / ATPL

• Instrument Rating (IR) 

• Multi-Engine Rating

• Instructor Rating

 

The Instrument Rating requires completion of a SACAA theoretical examination and prescribed instrument flight hours in a simulator and physical aircraft, followed by a skills test.

 

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

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The CPL permits the holder to be remunerated for flying. Such as charter flying, bush flying etc

 

Minimum requirements typically include:

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• Minimum age: 18 years

• Valid Class 1 medical certificate

• Completion of SACAA CPL theoretical examinations

• Minimum of 200 total flight hours

• Skills test with a designated examiner

 

May be completed as:

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• VFR single engine CPL

• VFR multi engine CPL 

• IFR single engine CPL 

• IFR multi engine CPL (most valuable) 

These all directly influence the possible job opportunities available to you after testing  

 

Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)

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The ATPL is the highest level of pilot licence. Required to fly 

 

Requirements include:

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• Minimum age: 21 years

• Valid Class 1 medical certificate

• Completion of SACAA ATPL theoretical examinations

• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours

 

Many pilots first obtain a frozen ATPL (CPL with ATPL theory exams) and later qualify for full ATPL issue once experience requirements are met.

 

Medical requirements

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• Class 1 Medical – Required for CPL and ATPL holders

• Class 2 Medical – Required for PPL holders

 

sources include but aren’t limited to: 

-Civil Aviation Regulations, 2011