Some people shy away from studying aviation because it is known to be a costly education, but how much does it really cost to become a pilot?
And most importantly, is this education a profitable investment? When you compare the cost to the benefits, do you come out with a good profit?
The benefits of becoming a pilot are widely well-known: you get one of the best salaries in the world, you gain a lot of prestige and you travel the world for a living.
The requirements for this include:
- Must be at least 16 years of age.
- Hold a class 1 or 2 medical certificate.
- Hold an ICAO language proficiency certificate (if required).
- Completed an aircraft technical.
- Completed an Airlaw exam.
- 2 passport photos.
Following this, holders of an SPL may then apply for a Private Pilot Licence.
“Usually students will start off with an introduction flight (optional) and signing all the necessary forms followed by a medical and briefing with an instructor to do an aircraft technical and Airlaw test,” Minaar explained.
“Thereafter you may apply for your Student Pilot Licence (SPL) at CAA in Midrand. Training will then continue as per your availability. Once you received your PPL you may only fly during the day with good weather conditions, you may not be paid for flying passengers,” she said.
Minaar said that this typically takes between 6 to 12 months – depending on completion of exams, finances and time availability.
In addition the following requirements must be met:
- Must be at least 17 years old.
- Valid Student Pilot Licence.
- Hold a restricted or general radiotelephony certificate.
- Completed 8 online PPL exams.
- Accumulate 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.
Costs for PPL
U-Fly noted that the flying costs will differ based on the type of plane and the training academy.
However it provided a general overview of how much the total course would typically cost.
Costs are based on the minimum requirements and do not factor-in the students performance or any additional costs to service providers.
| COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 25 Dual hours on PA28-161 @ R2 050 per hour | R51 250 |
| 15 Solo hours on PA28-161 @ R1 750 per hour | R26 250 |
| 5 Dual hours on FNPT II @ R960 per hour | R4 800 |
| 15 Hours @ R414.00 (minimum by law) | R5 250 |
| 3 Dual hours on PA28-161 @ R2 050 | R6 150 |
| 2 Hours @ R350 – Ground Evaluation/Test | R700 |
| PPL Kit including all PPL notes (without Headsets) | R6 544 |
| Exams (7 x R190) with Radio exam | R1 830 |
| Total amount | R102 774 |
Night Rating
“This part of training you will start doing some of the training in our simulator, and the rest takes place in the aircraft,” said Minaar.
“There is only 1 exam for this part of training and once completed you may fly at night.”
She added that training can typically be completed within 6 weeks.
In addition the following requirements must be met:
- Must hold a valid Student Pilot Licence on an integrated course or hold a valid Private Pilot Licence.
- 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.
Costs
U-Fly also provided a general overview of the typical costs for the licence.
Costs are based on the minimum requirements and do not factor-in the students performance or any additional costs to service providers.
| COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 5.0 Dual Instrument hours on PA28-161@ R2 050 per hour (actual 6.5 hours) | R 10 250 |
| 5.0 Dual Instrument hours on FSTD @ R960 per hour | R 4 800 |
| 3.5 Dual hours night cross country flying on PA28-161 @ R2 050 per hour | R 7 175 |
| 1.5 Dual hours on PA28-161@ R2 050 | R 3 075 |
| 5.0 briefings @ R400 per briefing | R 2 000 |
| Total amount | R27 300 |
Commercial or Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
“This part of training is more advanced, and it includes hour building and Instrument Rating (IR),” said Minaar.
“All exams are done at CAA. Simulator and advance aircraft training will be done during the duration off training.”
She added that training duration is typically 12 to 18 months, depending on completion of exams.
The requirements are:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Hold a valid class 1 medical certificate.
- Hold a valid general certificate of proficiency in radio-telephony.
- Hold a valid Private Pilot Licence.
- Hold a Night Rating.
- Show proof of English Language Proficiency.
- A minimum of 200 hours total flight time, this includes:
≥ 100 hours PIC flight time.
≥ 5 hours PIC by night.
≥ 50 hours of cross country flying as PIC.
≥ 40 hours dual instrument time (20 hours may be done in an approved FSTD).
≥ 5 hours dual in an aircraft with adjustable flaps, retractable undercarriage and variable pitch propel ler or turbojet engine.
Costs
U-Fly also provided a general overview of the typical costs for the licence.
Costs are based on the minimum requirements and do not factor-in the students performance or any additional costs to service providers.
Hour Building
| COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 30 Hours PIC by day on PA28-161 @ R1 725 per hour | R 51 750 |
| 5 Hours PIC by night on PA28-161 @ R1 725 per hour | R 8 625 |
| 50 Cross country PIC hours on PA28-161 @ R1 725 per hour | R 86 250 |
| Total | R146 625 |
Instrument flight rating
| COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 20 Hours on FNPT II for SE IF @ R945 per hour. | R18 900 |
| 20 Hours dual on PA28-161 IF @ R2 025 per hour (15 hours actual) | R40 500 |
| 3 Hours on FNPT II for Multi Engine IF @ R1 045 per hour | R3 135 |
| 3 Dual hours on AC50 for IF Actual @ R3 950 per hour (2 hours actual) | R11 850 |
| 27 Briefings @ R350 per briefing | R9 450 |
| Total | R83 835 |
Multi-engine class rating
| COST | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| 4 Dual hours on AC50 for Multi Engine Class @ R3 950 per hour | R 15 800 |
| 3 Hours on FNPT II for Multi Engine Class @ R1 045 per hour | R 3 135 |
| 7 Briefings @ R350 per briefing | R 2 450 |
| 1.5 Dual hours on AC50 for DFE test flight | R 5 925 |
| Sub-Total | R27 310 |
| Grand Total | R257 770 |
What subjects do you need to become a pilot in South Africa?
Good English is obviously vital as it is the international aviation language. (Geography is another very useful subject although not mandatory.) In South African Airways the minimum requirement is a Matric with Maths and Science – that’s obviously in addition to your flying qualifications.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in South Africa?
It takes around 18 months and costs around $50,000 to get your CPL in South Africa. Keep in mind though that you will need further training and certificates to get a job in an airline, like instrument rating and type rating, for example, type rating alone would cost you another $50,000.