December 2021

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The Basic Principles of Flight remain the same no matter where in the world you train.  The requirements (hours to earn a particular license & exam structure, medical requirements), differ slightly only slightly, according to the requirements of the country you are training in's Aviation Authority.

​

If you plan to fly privately or commercially in an aircraft other than a very light one, then you will follow this path: 

Private Pilot License (PPL) ▶  Commercial Pilot License (CPL) ▶ Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).  

​

ICAO - the International Civil Aviation Authority. 

When it comes to maintaining an International Standard in Aviation, there is one voluntary association, called ICAO.  ICAO works much like the UN (United Nations).  They do not make laws, they make recommendations.  These recommendations tend to be adopted by their member countries, of which they have 193.  The member countries may institute stricter limitations should they wish to do so. 

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If your country is not ICAO Compliant, even as a Member, other ICAO Compliant countries do not allow International flights from your country to land in theirs.  They do NOT issue Pilot Licenses but oversee Aviation Law and Compliance in their Member Countries, and are based in Canada.  South Africa, among others, is a Council Member State.

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Civil Aviation Authorities

Aviation is managed locally by Civil Aviation Authorities.

​

The FAA (America) and EASA (Europe), are the biggest Aviation Authorities. There are very many smaller Aviation Authorities all over the world.

​

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency make rules and laws like FAA.  These guys oversee Europe, the United Kingdom, and some Middle Eastern Countries.  They do NOT issue Pilot Licenses themselves, but are the umbrella under which many countries issue their Flying Licenses.  These Countries all follow the regulations EASA has in place.

​

FAA - the Federal Aviation Administration, governs the United States of America. Personally, I think they have some very sensible regulations. They are the only country who has regulated that aircraft registered in the USA may be flown in other countries under the country's own pilot licenses.  

​

Other countries say you may only fly an aircraft registered in the country you hold your pilot license, even if it is anywhere else in the world.  If you want to fly the same aircraft in another country, you need their foreign license conversion, or convert to their license (lots more written exams) - and an Initial Flight Test.

​

SACAA - South African Civil Aviation Authority.  Under both ICAO and EASA, the SACAA control Aviation in South Africa under the Minister of Transport.

​

Many countries have the CAA suffix to their country name for their Civil Aviation Authority, too many to list  here.  Canada is under Transport Canada.

​

CASA - Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the Australian government body regulating aviation in Australia.

​

... there are many more Aviation Administrations. Just Google your country name and "Aviation Authority" 

​

NOTE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU TRAIN, THE PRACTICAL FLYING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.  IF YOU ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD BY THESE HOURS, YOU WILL DO MORE FLIGHT TRAINING HOURS BEFORE YOU ARE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR FLIGHT TEST.

​

Everywhere in the world, flying licenses are fairly similar regarding moving from PPL to CPL to ATPL.

 

Step 1: PPL - Private Pilot License (min 40-45 hrs flight training + exams --> optional ad-ons)

Step 2: CPL - Commercial Pilot License  (min 150 - 250 hrs flight training, Night Rating + exams --> optional ad-ons)

Step 3: ATPL - Airline Transport Pilot License (min 1500 hrs accumulated flight time --> Night, Instrument and Multi engine rated --> optional ad-ons)  You  build most of these hours while working as a pilot.

 

There are minor differences only, in some countries, PPL's require 40 hrs minimum training, in others, 45 hours, with the main focus being on competency in handling an aircraft and understanding its systems, and the procedures surrounding the flying environment. CPL's are 200 to 250 hours, (depending on the Country), with some exceptions, (Integrated Courses require less hours), and ATPL's require 1500 hrs of flying, Instrument and a Multi engine rating.  Very few people complete their PPL's by 40 or 45 hours, most take between 55 and 80 hours to complete their basic training to an acceptable standard especially when training part time. 

 

All countries have 17 as the minimum age to hold a PPL, but in Canada, for instance, you may fly solo at 14 years.  Some other countries allow solo at 15 years, and in others, like South Africa, 16 years old.

 

All exams are basically the same subjects, but some Authorities have you write a 2.5 to 3.5 hr single exam, and others split the exams into individual subjects with exams from 45 mins to 1.5 hours.  There is no way to escape studying.  EASA and Transport Canada prescribe a minimum number of hours you have to study. 

 

The FAA includes a Night Rating as part of the normal PPL.  It’s the only country that

does this. It's an add-on rating for all other countries (to my knowledge).

 

Below is a table of the minimum requirements for PPLs in some sample countries.

 

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PPL is the first step to the higher licenses, but can be a stand-alone.  In South Africa, you may fly any aircraft you have been Converted to up to 5,7 tons.  This includes the 9 seater, twin engine King Air! On a PPL!!! Of course, it will take you a bit of time and experience to handle one of these beasts.  You may also convert down and fly light sport aircraft - max all up weight 600kg. You can add on an Instrument Rating to fly in cloud, and a Night Rating to fly by night.  You may just not be paid for your flying skills as a PPL anywhere in the world.  To receive payment as a Professional Pilot you need to step up to a Commercial Pilot License.

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In the USA, your PPL limits you to 6000lbs (2712kg), and maximum 6 souls on board (including the pilot).  So the biggest aircraft you can fly is something like a Baron58.  

​

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

​

Weekend Warriors

The NPL (National Pilot License) and Sport Pilot License and LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot License), are designed to reduce the cost of flight training.  All these license types require less hours flight training, however, you must still reach a minimum safe standard of flying as a pilot, so it usually takes more hours than the minimum requirement to earn each license.  These licenses limit you by aircraft weight, usually around 600kg to about 1000kg (depending on the country where you hold the license), including the aircraft weight, fuel weight, your weight, and anything or anyone else you plan to take with. Restrictions on these licenses include some combination of distance from base, height, airspace and passenger limitations, depending on where in the world you train.

 XxX

There are no short cuts, the work must be done, the experience earned.

The Basic Principles of Flight remain the same no matter where in the world you train.  The requirements (hours to earn a particular license & exam structure, medical requirements), differ slightly only slightly, according to the requirements of the country you are training in's Aviation Authority.

​

If you plan to fly privately or commercially in an aircraft other than a very light one, then you will follow this path: 

Private Pilot License (PPL) ▶  Commercial Pilot License (CPL) ▶ Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).  

​

ICAO - the International Civil Aviation Authority. 

When it comes to maintaining an International Standard in Aviation, there is one voluntary association, called ICAO.  ICAO works much like the UN (United Nations).  They do not make laws, they make recommendations.  These recommendations tend to be adopted by their member countries, of which they have 193.  The member countries may institute stricter limitations should they wish to do so. 

​

If your country is not ICAO Compliant, even as a Member, other ICAO Compliant countries do not allow International flights from your country to land in theirs.  They do NOT issue Pilot Licenses but oversee Aviation Law and Compliance in their Member Countries, and are based in Canada. Click here to view their 193 Member States.

​

Civil Aviation Authorities

 

Aviation is managed locally by Civil Aviation Authorities.

​

The FAA (America) and EASA (Europe), are the biggest Aviation Authorities. There are very many smaller Aviation Authorities all over the world.

​

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency make rules and laws like FAA.  These guys oversee Europe, the United Kingdom, and some Middle Eastern Countries.  They do NOT issue Pilot Licenses themselves, but are the umbrella under which many countries issue their Flying Licenses.  These Countries all follow the regulations EASA has in place.  Click here for their Member Countries. Click here for initial Pilot Licensing info in EASA Member countries. 

​

FAA - the Federal Aviation Administration, governs the United States of America. Personally I think they have some very sensible regulations. Click here for initial Pilot Licensing info in the USA. They are the only country who has regulated that aircraft registered in the USA may be flown in other countries under the country's own pilot licenses.  

​

Other countries say you may only fly an aircraft registered in the country you hold your pilot license, even if it is anywhere else in the world.  If you want to fly the same aircraft in another country, you need their foreign license conversion, or convert to their license (lots more written exams) - and an Initial Flight Test.

​

SACAA - South African Civil Aviation Authority.  Under both ICAO and EASA, the SACAA control Aviation in South Africa under the Minister of Transport. Click here for initial Pilot Licensing info in the South Africa.

​

Many countries have the CAA suffix to their country name for their Civil Aviation Authority, too many to list  here.  Canada is under Transport Canada. Click here for initial Pilot Licensing info in Canada.

​

CASA - Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the Australian government body regulating aviation in Australia. Click here for initial Pilot Licensing info in Australia.

​

... there are many more Aviation Administrations. Just Google your country name and "Aviation Authority" 

​

NOTE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU TRAIN, THE PRACTICAL FLYING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.  IF YOU ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD BY THESE HOURS, YOU WILL DO MORE FLIGHT TRAINING HOURS BEFORE YOU ARE RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR FLIGHT TEST.

​

Flight Training Worldwide

Everywhere in the world, flying licenses are fairly similar regarding moving from PPL to CPL to ATPL.

 

Step 1: PPL - Private Pilot License (min 40-45 hrs flight training + exams --> optional ad-ons)

Step 2: CPL - Commercial Pilot License  (min 150 - 250 hrs flight training, Night Rating + exams --> optional ad-ons)

Step 3: ATPL - Airline Transport Pilot License (min 1500 hrs accumulated flight time --> Night, Instrument and Multi engine rated --> optional ad-ons)

 

There are minor differences only, in some countries, PPL's require 40 hrs minimum training, in others, 45 hours, with the main focus being on competency in handling an aircraft and understanding its systems, and the procedures surrounding the flying environment. CPL's are 200 to 250 hours, (depending on the Country), with some exceptions, (Integrated Courses require less hours), and ATPL's require 1500 hrs of flying, Instrument and a Multi engine rating.  Very few people complete their PPL's by 40 or 45 hours, most take between 55 and 80 hours to complete their basic training to an acceptable standard especially when training part time. 

​

PPL is the first step to the higher licenses, but can be a stand-alone.  In South Africa, you may fly any aircraft you have been Converted to up to 5,7 tons.  This includes the 9 seater, twin engine King Air! On a PPL!!! Of course, it will take you a bit of time and experience to handle one of these beasts.  You may also convert down and fly light sport aircraft. You can add on an Instrument Rating to fly in cloud, and a Night Rating to fly by night.  You may just not be paid for your flying skills.  To receive payment as a Professional Pilot you need to step up to a Commercial Pilot License.

​

In the USA, your PPL limits you to 6000lbs (2712kg), and maximum 6 souls on board (including the pilot).  So the biggest aircraft you can fly is something like a Baron58.  

​

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...

​

Weekend Warriors

The NPL (National Pilot License) and Sport Pilot License and LAPL (Light Aircraft Pilot License), are designed to reduce the cost of flight training.  All these license types require less hours flight training, however, you must still reach a minimum safe standard of flying as a pilot, so it usually takes more hours than the minimum requirement to earn each license.  These licenses limit you by aircraft weight, usually around 600kg to about 1000kg (depending on the country where you hold the license), including the aircraft weight, fuel weight, your weight, and anything or anyone else you plan to take with. Restrictions on these licenses include some combination of distance from base, height, airspace and passenger limitations, depending on where in the world you train.

​

EASA PPL

• 100 hrs theoretical preparation, 35 hrs of which are with an Instructor, for the 9 written exams. 
  Pass mark 75%.

• Subjects:

  • Air Law

  • Aircraft General Knowledge

  • Flight Performance and Planning

  • Human Performance and Limitations

  • Meteorology

  • Navigation

  • Operational Procedures

  • Principles of Flight

  • Communications

• 45 hours practical flying. 
  ​Minimums:

  • 25 Dual hours (with your Flight Instructor)

  • 20 Solo hours (by yourself, under Instructor supervision

• Flight Test

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FAA Pilot Training (USA)

For an initial (or only) license, your choices are:

1. Sport Pilot

2. Recreational Pilot

3. Private Pilot​

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All three licenses have a written exam (click here for questions) and flight test.​