10 Best Aviation Schools In South Africa [2024 Fees]

Aviation as we all know is one of the most regarded industries to hold some of the most prestigious professions in the world, but with great achievement comes a great price to pay alongside requirements to meet before achieving a greater height in the industry and this makes us research about the best aviation schools in South Africa.

You may tend to wonder what I mean by great price to pay and requirements to meet up with, well, aviation courses as we all know are not taught in regular schools we go to study but rater taught in an institution focused on the industry and profession which makes it a highly regarded course for the determined minds, hence, you got to pay the price as regards searching for the best aviation schools to enroll in and as well meet up the aviation courses requirement laid out by individual schools.

However, we have taken the burden upon ourselves to make things easy for you guys as we bring you the top best aviation schools in South Africa as well as the aviation courses requirement in South Africa all in one article. Tag along as we unravel the list of the top best flight schools in South Africa.

Aviation Courses Requirements in South Africa

We are going to kick off things by laying out the aviation requirements in South Africa to be met, hence, before you think of jumping into any piloting school in South Africa, you should get to know these requirements to aid you easy access into any best school of your choice of which we would be listing out shortly after this section.

But before we dive right in, we would like you to know that there are two types of pilot licenses in South Africa that you could study for, and each has its different requirements to earn you the opportunity of studying for the course of a particular license. The two types of pilot license in South Africa are as follow;

• Private Pilot License (PPL)
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Private Pilot License Requirements

To study in an aviation school in South Africa for a Private Pilot License, Aspirants are required to meet up with the following conditions for a student PPL;

• Applicants/Candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of application.
• Candidates should have at least 2 passport photographs (Advisably 8)
• Candidates must hold a minimum of class 1 or class 2 medical certificate.
• Candidates must have completed an aircraft technical and an Airline Exam.
• Candidates must possess an ICAO certificate for language proficiency.

Commercial Pilot License requirements

For this particular aviation course requirement in South Africa, candidates are to undergo more advanced training than the PPL, and as stated earlier, with great aims of achievement comes great requirements. Basically, candidates are required to;

• Minimum of 18 years old applicants
• Possess a Private Pilot License.
• Possess a valid class 1 medical certificate.
• Have obtained a valid general proficiency in radio-telephony certificate.
• Have obtained and hold a proof of proficiency in English language.
• Hold a night rating.
• Hold a minimum record of 200 hours flight time, which should include;
  • 50 hours PIC cross country flight
  • 100 hours PIC flight time
  • 40 hours dual instrument time of which 20 hours must be done in an approved FSTD
  • 5 hours PIC night flight
  • 5 hours flight dual in an aircraft with adjustable flap or turbojet engine.

List of best aviation Academy in South Africa

Having listed the South Africa Aviation Course requirements, let’s dive right into the list of top flight schools in South Africa.

43 Air School

Speaking of the top best aviation schools in South Africa, we have the 43 Air School as one of the best piloting schools in South Africa. This prestigious school is a reputable accredited institution authorized by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

However, this school is noted to take In both domestic and international students from across the globe as they offer full-time aviation training courses.

43 Air school aviation courses:

• Flight instructor (CFI/FI)
• Commercial Pilot (CPL)
• Multi crew Cooperation Course (MCC)
• Jet Orientation Course ( JOT)
• Private Pilot (PPL)
• Night Rating
• Flight instructor multi-engine (MEI)
• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Multi-engine class rating
• Aerobatics Ground school class

Telephone: +27 46 6043600
Address: 6170 Private Bag x43, Port Alfred, South Africa
Website: www.43airschool.com

Blue Chip Flying School

At Blue Chip flying school, you get the opportunity to be trained by an extraordinary team of professionals in the aviation industry to bring out the best in each student which is one of the reasons why this flight school in South Africa is considered one of the best in the country.

With the school’s wide range of courses, potential graduates are raised as they combine all the technical and necessary aviation training to impact greatly on the students and the aviation industry as a whole.

However, this piloting school in South Africa is known to operate on a safety policy to ensure the safety of their students and as well teach the students how to keep a safe policy on getting to the outside world of the industry. To crown it all, the school has an accredited test center which makes things easier for the students when taking a private Pilot license (PPL) exam.

Aviation training courses offered:

• Flight instructor (CFI/FI)
• Private Pilot (PPL)
• Multi-Engine class rating
• Commercial Pilot (CPL)
• Instrument Rating (IR)
• Flight instructor – Instrument
• CT ground school classes
• Flight instructor – Multi-Engine

Telephone: +27 12 543 3050
Address:  1^st floor, Main Terminal building, Wonderboom Airport, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0182 South Africa
Website: www.bluechipflightschool.co.za

Progress Flight Academy

Are you looking forward to laying your hands on a commercial pilot license? Progress flight academy is another sweet choice to make from the list of top flight schools in South Africa. The school offers intensive flight training programs to give you a boost into the top spots of the aviation industry as they specialize in residential integrated courses with ATP ground school.

With this school as a choice, you stand the chance to be trained by experts in the field with years of experience and of course experience is the best teacher.

Aviation Courses Offered:

• Commercial pilot (CPL)
• Night Rating
• Private Pilot (PPL)
• Multi-Engine Class Rating
• Flight instructor- instrument
• Flight instructor (CFI/FI)
• Ground school classes
• Instrument rating

Telephone: +27 41 394 1000
Address: Port Elizabeth International Airport, Progress Aerodrome, 6390, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Website: www.flightacademy.co.za

Algoa Flight center

Here we have another wonderful top piloting school in South Africa. The school is noted for producing great minds that are outstanding in the aviation industry.

This school stands tall as one of the top accredited aviation schools in South Africa that offers accredited courses in a well-facilitated environment to ensure a comfortable learning experience.

Aviation Training Courses Offered:

• Instrument Rating
• Private pilot
• Flight instructor
• Commercial Pilot
• Night Rating
• Airline Transport Pilot

Telephone: +27 41 581 3274
Address: 6065, Port Elizabeth International Airport, P.O. Box 5680, South Africa
Website: www.algoafc.co.za

Johannesburg Flying School

If you are seeking a top flight school in Johannesburg, South Africa, here you have one which stands tall as one of the best aviation schools in South Africa. This school is noted for maintaining a great standard state of the art in terms of their facilities as well as top standard in employing skilled aviation professionals to impact greatly into the students to become better aviation professionals.

However, the school is noted as an approved ICAO and SACAA aviation school in the country which makes it a top-notch school and a good choice to make when choosing a top flight training school in South Africa. More also, the school is noted to offer excellent courses for the cheapest fee so far on the list. The Johannesburg flying school also conducts pilot training programs on the TAF sling aircraft alongside the use of Helicopters for training as well.

Piloting Courses Offered:

• Private Pilot (PPL)
• Commercial Pilot ( CPL)
• Airline Transport Pilot (ATPL)
• Sports Pilot ( SPL/LSA)
• Flight instructor (CFI/FI)
• Multi Pilot License (MPL)
• Night Rating
• Jet Orientation Course (JOT)
• Instrument Rating
• Multi-Crew cooperation course
• Instrument Multi-Engine class rating

Telephone: +27105950234
Address: 1448 Corner Klipriver, Panorama Airfield, Kromvlei Road, Johannesburg, South Africa
Website: www.jhbflying.co.za

Morningstar Flight Academy

Morningstar flight academy is another top best piloting school in South Africa that helps you begin your flight training as a beginner to becoming a professional in the industry as you are trained by experts in the field in a leading state of the art facility in a conducive and decent flying environment to give you a top-notch experience ahead of time.

However, this school is noted to run both full-time and part-time programs for passionate students on superb courses to give you sweet memories to help you in the real world.

Aviation Training Courses Offered:

• Private Pilot (PPL)
• EXM CT Ground school classes
• Sports Pilot ( SPL / LSA)
• National Pilot License (NPL)

Telephone: +27 21 801 4406
Address: Cape Farms, Morningstar Airfield, Van Schoorsdrif Road, Cape Town, 7404 South Africa.
Website: www.msfa.co.za

Cranfield Aviation Training

Here we have a top leading flight training school offering flight deck and cabin crew technical training in South Africa. Cranfield appears to be one of the best accredited flight schools in South Africa, accredited by the South African civil aviation authority.

However, Cranfield aviation training school is noted to meet up international standards requirements which help give their students a lead in the international aviation industry, which means their students stand the chance to be world-class Aviation personnel.

Piloting Training Courses Offered:

• Aviation Security
• CRM Private Pilots,
• Cabin crew type rating
• Radio Telephony
• Flight Attendant
• Dangerous goods

Telephone: +27 11 708 2588/98, +27 82 341 1353/4
Address: No 90, 4th Road Chartwell, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Website: https://www.cranfield.co.za/

AAA 4 Pilots

Still moving forward on the list of best Aviation schools in South Africa, we have the AAA 4 Pilots academy known for excellent performance, coming out with the highest standard of excellence in Aviation security, education, competency, and command for passionate students to achieve their goals in the Aviation industry. This academy is also approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

Aviation Courses Offered:

• Commercial Pilot
• Private Pilot
• Multi-Engine class rating
• Airline transport pilot
• Multi-Engine flight instructor
• Flight instructor
• Instrument flight instructor
• Night Rating
• Instrument Rating

Telephone: +27 (0) 31 837 6939
Address: 8 Durban, Virginia Airport Hanger, 4016, South Africa
Website: www.aaa4pilots.com

Skyhawk Aviation

The Skyhawk Aviation school is located close to the terminal building of the Lanseria International Airport in South Africa which places students in a conducive environment for learning as they get to experience the real world of Aviation.

This school just like the rest is also approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Let’s take a look at the Aviation courses offered in this academy.

Piloting Courses Offered:

• Commercial Pilot
• Private Pilot
• Instructor Rating
• Night Rating
• Instrument Rating
• ATPL preparation
• Multi-Engine Rating

Telephone: +27 (0) 1170-12622
Address: Gate 9, Hangar 204, Lanseria International Airport, South Africa
Website: www.skyhawk.co.za

Eagle Air Flight School

The Eagle Air flight school just like the name implies provides top flight training instructions for their students as they are noted to follow strict safety policy to ensure proper safety and experience to follow on getting to the real Aviation world.

This training academy offers a wide range of superb aviation courses guided by a comprehensive syllabus and we’ll structured programs I bet you would want to choose from.

However, speaking of financial consideration, this school appears to be one of the most affordable Flight training schools in South Africa.

Aviation Courses Offered:

• Flight Attendant
• Airplane flight Training
• Private pilot license
• Radio license
• Commercial Pilot license
• Jet Rating
• Multi-Engine Ratings
• Instrument Rating
• First Aid and fire fighting
• Night Rating
• Airline transport pilot license
• Dangerous goods
• Flight instructor Rating
• Crew Resources management

Telephone: +27 (0) 12 543 1929
Address: Hanger 58 A, Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0084 South Africa
Website: www.eagleair.co.za

Cape Town Flight Training Centre

Still on the list of top best aviation schools in South Africa, here we have the cape town flight training center known for her personalized approach of training students in the academy to ensure students get entangled with the right standards of the aviation industry in a suitable flight training environment to help bring out the best in students and also help make a great impact in the aviation industry.

More also, this aviation training center is noted to have an accredited NR, PPL, and Instructor Rating exam centers alongside a FNTP1 simulator to ensure that you are offered a valid pilot license that can be used anywhere across the globe.

Aviation Courses Offered:

• Commercial Pilot
• Private pilot license
• Night Rating
• License revalidation
• Instrument Rating
• Foreign validations
• Instructor Rating

Telephone: +27 (0) 8444-07922
Address: Fisantekraal Airfield Lichtenburg Rd, Durbanville, 7560 South Africa.
Website: www.cape-town-flying.co.za

Virginia Flight School

Virginia flight school is a fixed-wing flight academy equipped with professionals to ensure proper knowledge impact on students. This academy is also known to offer personalized training to ensure that the best comes out of every student.

Aviation Training Courses Offered:

• Commercial Pilot license
• Instrument Rating
• Private pilot license
• Instrument flight instructor
• Flight instructor (CFI/ FI)
• Night Rating
• Airline transport pilot
• Ground school classes
• Tailwheel G1000

Telephone: +27 (0)31 563 2080
Address: 220 Fairway, Virginia Airport, Durban North, 4051 South Africa
Website: www.vfs.co.za

Aeronav Academy

With a superb and well-structured syllabus for aviation training, this piloting school has remained at the top spot of the Aviation training Industry. However, with this school, you get access to study materials which helps aids the practical training for better understanding.

This school has reportedly produced series of top professionals in the aviation industry and still keeps up with the race of producing more to make the industry grow stronger.

Aviation Training Courses Offered:

• Multi-Engine class Rating
• Private Pilot license
• Instrument Rating
• Flight instructor
• Commercial Pilot license
• G1000
• Airline Transport Pilot
• CT ground school classes

Telephone: +27 11 701 3862
Address: Gate 9a, Lanseria Airport, Gauteng, Johannesburg, 1748 South Africa.
Website: www.aeronav.co.za

Heidelberg Flight School

The Heidelberg flight school is another great flight training school in South Africa that offers a wide range of aviation training courses with the approval of the South African civil aviation authority.  This school is noted to own its personal airfield placed under good maintenance and perfect condition for pilot training to ensure students get a top notch experience in the field.

Pilot Training Courses Offered:

• Private pilot license
• Flight instructor
• Instrument rating
• Commercial Pilot license
• Airline transport pilot
• Instrument flight instructor
• G1000
• Ground school classes

Telephone: +27 83 395 4200
Address: Heidelberg Airfield, Heidelberg, 1441 South Africa.
Website: www.heidelbergflightschool.com

Afrika Union Aviation Academy

Coming right last on our list of top piloting schools in South Africa, we have the Afrika union aviation academy which also happens to be one of the most sorted after aviation schools in Africa as a whole. The school is noted for its excellent full-time exotic flight training programs that aid students in attaining a great height in the aviation industry as the academy equips students with top demanded skills of the aviation industry.

However, this school ensures that you complete a flight crew training program before heading over for either a private or commercial Pilot license which helps make things easier and better for passionate students.

Afrika union aviation academy also ensures that strict safety policies are taken to ensure that their students get the very best of experience they offer and become a giant in the aviation industry.

Training Courses Offered:

• Airline transport pilot training
• Commercial Pilot license
• Instrument rating
• Private pilot license
• Radio license
• Night Rating
• Foreign license validation
• Instructor Rating
• Turbine rating
• Multi-Engine Ratings
• Hire and fly

Telephone: +27 (0)18 385 1080
Address: Mafikeng AirForce Base, Opp Mafikeng Airport, Mafikeng, South Africa.
Website: www.auaa.co.za

Aviation course fee in South Africa

Before we round up, let’s quickly look into how much it costs to make your piloting dreams come through. Basically, it is noted that the time duration for becoming a pilot in South Africa takes about 18 months and the cost of attaining a Commercial Pilot license in South Africa is about $50,000.

However, the price may vary across academy and training centers ranging from materials used and course taken, therefore, you should prepare more in the aspect of finances as you would be needing more certificates to attain great heights in the aviation industry.

Speaking of more certificates, let’s give you a hint; To get a suitable Job in the Airline Industry, you would need certificates such as an instrument Rating certificate, and that alone would cost you an extra $50,000, hence, looking to have two certificates would cost you about a $100,000, depending on your choice of academy or training center.

Conclusion

Getting to attend one of the best flight training schools in South Africa is considered very important regardless of the fee or cost. The aviation world has a lot to offer when fully certified, however, challenges are bound to arise which is why you need one of these schools to guide you into achieving your dreams. Good luck with achieving your dreams.

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