How To Become A Pilot In South Africa: A Step by Step Guide
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Find Out If You’re Eligible to Become a Pilot in South Africa
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to become a pilot in South Africa, we want to go over a few eligibility requirements. You’re going to want to check this out before you start your application process. Firstly, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age. You’ll also need to be able to pass the required aerodynamics and aviation math (a prerequisite for all pilots) exams. However, having an aviation degree or being professionally trained in another field may waive these requirements.
Why Learn to Fly?
To be perfectly honest, most people don’t! There are a few good reasons to learn to fly, though. One is that it can be a great way to save money on your travels. If you already have a pilot’s license, you can often find work as a flight instructor and earn good money. You can also get a job as a commercial pilot and fly internationally. If you have a pilot’s license from your home country, you can also work as a contract pilot.
Finding an Airline or Flight School to Teach You To Fly
If you’re ready to take the next step in learning how to become a pilot in South Africa, you’ll need to find a school or airline to train you. Many airlines in South Africa don’t hire new pilots, so your best bet is to look for an airline that does. You can find a list of South African airlines in our guide on how to become an airline pilot in South Africa. Once you find a school or airline to train you, contact them and ask them if they’d like to teach you to fly.
Becoming a Registered Airline Pilot – The Tough Way
If you want to become a commercial pilot in South Africa, you’re going to have to take a different route than everyone else. First of all, you’ll have to become a pilot in your home country and then apply for a foreign license. There are a few ways to do this, but the easiest way is to go to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in your home country and apply to become a pilot. The CAA will require you to take some aerodynamics and aviation math exams, and you’ll need to score well on them. Once this is done, you’ll be able to take the commercial pilot test.
Becoming a Registered Flight Instructor – The Easy Way
If you don’t want to apply for a foreign pilot’s license, you can also become a flight instructor in South Africa. There are a few requirements for this, too, like you’ll need to be a certain age, you’ll need to pass a test on aviation and aerodynamics, and you’ll need to have a current pilot’s license. If you meet these requirements, you’ll get your “A” rating and be able to teach others to fly. Teaching others is a great way to make money while building your flight instructor credentials.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to become a commercial pilot or just want to learn how to fly, South Africa is a great place to start your aviation career. The aviation industry is growing in popularity, and the number of students studying it is expected to grow, too. Finding an airline or flight school to teach you to fly can be challenging. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t find any schools or airlines willing to teach you just yet; it can be difficult. If you’re ready to get started, our guide on how to become an airline pilot in South Africa will help you find an aviation school or find a flight school to teach you to fly.
