Private Pilot Licence Training

This qualification allows you to be Pilot In Command (PIC) of an aircraft and to carry passengers. This enables you to make ALL decisions pertaining to planning and executing a flight, during daylight hours, and in clear weather. Additional qualifications are required to fly at night and in cloudy conditions.

You may not, however, receive payment from your passengers when you fly them around. It is acceptable for your passengers to contribute to the cost of operating the aircraft, if required.

• This licence is required even if your ultimate goal is to become a Commercial Pilot, as it allows you to accumulate the relevant experience that is essential for any advanced qualifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will it take me to do a PPL?

A: The duration to complete your training is completely dependent on your own progress. On passing your first PPL exam you have 18 month to complete your licence and the rest of the exams before they expire and rewriting becomes necessary. An estimate for a full time student would be 6 months.

Q: Where can I stay while completing my PPL full-time?

A: Accommodation for the duration of your stay will be provided by Touch of Africa Lodge. Please visit our accommodation page for more information on the lodge.

Q: Can I still do my training if I am unable to do it full time and can only fly, for example, over weekends?

A: Yes. We will accommodate your schedule as much as possible. By putting you in direct contact with your instructor and our front desk, making bookings on a part time basis both easy and practical.

Q: Am I too old to fly? What are the age limits for a PPL?

A: No! As long as you can pass your Class 2 aviation medical, you can start your training towards a PPL. The minimum age limit to acquire a PPL is 17 years old.

Q: What can I do with a PPL?

A: If you are aiming to be a career pilot, a PPL is a compulsory first step for a Commercial Pilots Licence. If you just want to fly for recreational purposes, a PPL is all you need. A PPL gives you the ability to rent an aircraft and fly it without the need to be signed out by your instructor. You may, by day under visual flight conditions, fly as pilot-in-command on any aircraft you are rated (qualified) to fly on. You may not accept any form of remuneration for flying an aircraft.

Q: What finances are required to start a PPL?

A: An initial deposit of R10,000 is required and a minimum balance of R2,000 must be maintained. When your balance falls below R5,000 , you will be alerted. At R2,000 all air-side activity will be suspended. For full quotations, please contact us.

Q: Where can I get more information on Foster Aero?

Private Pilots License Requirements

The Applicant must:

1. Be not less than 17 years of age
2. Hold a valid class 2 medical certificate
3. Hold a restricted radio license
4. Hold a valid student pilots license
5. Have successfully completed the training, passed the theoretical exams and undergone a skills test referred to in the regulations

Requirements for the issue of an SA Private Pilot's Licence (PPL):

• You must hold a valid Student Pilot's Licence and a current Class 2 medical.
• You will be required to accumulate a MINIMUM of 15 hours solo flight, and 25 hours of dual flight (flying with your instructor). Within your solo flight time, you will be required to accumulate at least three hours of solo cross-country flight (flying from one airport to another), You must successfully complete seven written examinations, which will test your knowledge on Engines & Airframes, Meteorology, Air Law, Navigation and Principles of Flight, Human Performance and Flight Planning and Performance
• A Radio (Operators) Licence, which is referred to as a Restricted Radio Licence must be obtained before you are finally issued with your PPL. It is however recommended  and practice that you complete this requirement early on in your training, as the content covered in the course assists greatly with all aspects of your flight training.
• You will be required to successfully pass two practical flight tests. The first being a General Flight Test (GFT), which must be conducted by a Grade One or Two flight instructor, and will focus on your ability to handle the aircraft in all normal, abnormal and emergency flight phases. These are aspects that you will have covered extensively during your training, and this is now your chance to demonstrate your competency. The second flight test will examine your ability to safely conduct navigation procedures, and you will be required to fly yourself and your examiner on a pre-planned triangular route, with at least two "away" landings, an unscheduled diversion and  a flight in controlled airspace.
• Once you have accumulated the required flight time in your logbook, and passed all the above mentioned tests, your paperwork will be checked and off you go to the SA-CAA  to convert your SPL to a Private Pilot's Licence.