Why South Africa?
'Aviation Abbreviation Definitions'
It tries to get close to being a general 'readable' definition of terms used on some aviation sites, to help understanding of usage for newcomers into the world of aviation in the United Kingdom.

Validation of a Foreign Pilot Licence in South Africa...

Requirements to obtain the SACAA PPL - Private Pilots License?...

Requirements to obtain the SACAA CPL - Commercial Pilots License?...

We strongly recommend that you study for your exams before leaving for Soouth Africa - log onto flyEAA Online, select shopfront; e learning courses; courses for Individuals; Private Pilot's License Ground School, and then scroll down to find which course you wish to register for - the "e-learn only" course costs R295. Register as a New User, enter all your details and pay with your credit card. EAA will then send you your password and the necessary links. This will enable you to complete all of your ground-school training before arriving in Bethlehem and is a huge time and effort saver, giving you the opportunity to concentrate more on the actual flying when you arrive. The additional advantage is that you get used to the technical terms of aviation! EAA are a SA CAA accredited Ground School Organization, their License Number is CAA/0176, thus we can recommend their courses.

Please note that you do not require to have a Comm. in order to write your ATP; please go ahead and write your ATP once you have your PPL it's almost the same trouble and you will save 6months to a years trouble!

What do I need to do to fly in the UK?
Once you have a valid SA PPL, you will be able to convert this license to a UK, US or any other national PPL by doing the following: Take a flight test (standard all over the world before you can fly in a country which is different to the one you gained your license in) Re-take your air law examination. This only applies in the UK if you have 100 hours or more logged. If you have less than this you will need to take all 7 exams. Exams cost approximately £20 each.

What will it cost me to convert back home?
The cost will vary from country to country. However, a flight test is usually an hour or an hour and a half, at the cost of instructor plus aircraft hire, and tests are at the rate of your home country. You can then spread the cost of the flight test and written exams over the next 12 months or whenever you need to fly.

Conversion of SA PPL to a JAA licence necessary?
You can hire and fly in the UK with a South African Licence. You would be required to take a check ride with the club or facility from which you wish to hire the aircraft, but this is standard practice whatever licence you hold, UK included. You can fly in the UK as long as your licence is valid. An initial South African Licence is valid for 12 months. After the first renewal it is valid for 24 months. If you are over 40 you require an annual medical. Before your licence comes due for renewal you have the option of renewing your South African Licence or converting to a UK licence. Remember that, if you wish to convert to JAA, your South African licence must be valid at the time of conversion. But why not stick with your South African Licence.

A private licence is great, but my real ambition is to progress to the flight deck of an airline in Europe. Why should I come to South Africa?
To progress rapidly towards that goal! That one word 'progress' sums it up. Besides the cost saving which is enormous, you need a 150 hours of pilot in command time before you can start the modular JAA Commercial Pilots Licence course. How long would that take you in Europe? Even if money were no object. In South Africa with our magnificent flying weather you could complete the requirements in 3 or 4 months, and save a packet to boot. Think now about how much sooner you could reach your goal!

General provisions on validation of non-SA licences!
Regulations regarding the validation of pilot licenses vary from country to country, including South Africa. For this reason we recommend you check with your local civil aviation authority.
In general, pilot licenses are validated in other countries subject to your passing an exam in the flying law of the country in which you wish to fly. So, for example, a person from Europe who obtains his or her PPL or HPPL license in South Africa, will need to pass the local flying law examination in their own country. The same applies to a person who qualifies in one European country and wishes to fly in another European country. Or one who qualifies in Europe and wishes to fly in South Africa.
World-wide, South African flying schools and South Africa's CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) are highly regarded. To the best of our knowledge all flying hours clocked up in South Africa are recognised throughout the world. Some students must or choose to write, or re-write, some of their exams in their home countries. Others do all their flying hours, training and exams in South Africa, and only write their local flying law exam when they return home. It is up to you to decide. It is also up to you to check your local regulations before making your decision.

South African Flight medical:
If you suffer from a medical condition, it does not necessarily exclude you from flying. Comprehensive Flight Medicals for PPL and Commercial Pilots licence are done close to the airschool by a Senior Aviation Medical Officer. The medical examination entails a complete physical examination including eye (exclusion of colour-blindness & shortsightness) and hearing tests, stress ECG, lung function. X-rays are required for the initial examination. The cost of approx. 1.000 ZAR includes a complete medical examination with ECG, lung function test, eyesight and hearing tests and X-ray.

New CAA rules to visual standards for applicants: VISUAL STANDARDS

General (All 4 classes)
(1) An applicant may not have -
(a) Any condition or congenital abnormality of either eye or its attachments likely to impede the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence;
(b) Any abnormality of visual fields or significant defect of binocular function;
(c) Any manifest squint, or large errors of eye muscle balance (phoria). The acceptable limits for ocular muscle balance are 12 prism dioptres for exophoria, 6 dioptres for esophoria; and 1.5 dioptre for hyperphoria measured at distance. If corrective lenses are required, phoria must be measured while using the appropriate corrective lenses;
(d) Any anatomical or functional monocularity or substandard vision in one eye at initial issue of a medical certificate. However, medical conclusion may permit experienced licence holders who develop monocularity or substandard vision to be granted a medical certificate with appropriate restrictions following a period sufficient to permit adjustment to this condition.
(2) Monocularity means that either an eye is absent, or its vision cannot be corrected to better than 6/24.
(3) Substandard vision in one eye means central vision better than 6/24 but worse than 6/9, with normal visual fields.
(4) For monocularity, the appropriate minimum restrictions initially are as follows:
(a) "If flying open cockpit aircraft, protective goggles not restricting visual field must be worn". (This must remain as a permanent restriction);
(b) "Any accompanying pilot must be made aware of the holder's monocular vision". (This must remain as a permanent restriction);
(c) "Not valid for flight as pilot-in-command by day or night until a satisfactory flight test has been completed with a flight examiner in each case". (This restriction may be removed at subsequent assessment, according to the results of the flight test, or amended to the endorsement in (d) below);
(d) "Not valid for flight as pilot-in-command by night until a satisfactory flight test has been completed with a flight examiner". (This restriction may be removed at subsequent assessment, according to the result of the flight test).
(5) For substandard vision in one eye (vision between 6/6 and 6/24), the appropriate minimum restrictions are as follows:
(a) "Any accompanying pilot must be made aware of the holder's substandard vision in one eye". (This must remain as a permanent restriction);
(b) "Not valid for flight as pilot-in-command by night until a satisfactory flight test has been completed with a flight examiner". (This restriction may be removed at subsequent assessment, according to the results of the flight test).

Near vision (Class 1,2,3 but not applicable to class 4)
(1) Applicants must be able to read 6/9 (N5) at a distance of 33 centimetres and N14 at a distance of 100 centimetres or have equivalent visual acuity for these distances (6/12, 20/40 at 33 cm; 6/24, 20/80 at 100 cm). An applicant who meets this standard only by use of spectacles may be granted a medical certificate provided this is endorsed with the following limitation:
"Suitable corrective lenses must be readily available".
(2) This means that these must be available for immediate use when exercising the privileges of the licence. This limitation may be satisfied by the availability of appropriate bifocal or trifocal spectacles, which permit the reading of instruments and a chart or manual held in one hand, without impeding the use of distance vision through the windscreen when wearing the spectacles. Single-vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading) is not acceptable, since wearing these significantly reduces distance visual acuity.

For Class 3
This means that these must be available for immediate use when exercising the privileges of the licence. This limitation may be satisfied by the availability of appropriate bifocal or trifocal spectacles, which permit the reading of displays and a chart or manual held in one hand, without impeding the use of distance vision when wearing the spectacles. The wearing of single vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading), significantly reduces distance visual acuity, and is not acceptable in an air traffic control tower. Nevertheless, full lenses may be acceptable in a radar room in which case the medical certificate must be endorsed with the following:
"Suitable corrective lenses must be readily available (full lenses permitted in radar room)", to indicate this option has been permitted. Whenever there is a requirement to obtain or renew corrective lenses, an applicant must advise the refractionist of reading distances for the air traffic service unit in which the applicant is likely to function.

Distance vision (class 1 and 3)
(1) Applicants must have a distance visual acuity of not worse than 6/6 or its equivalent (20/30, 0.66) in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. When this standard can be met only by the use of corrective lenses, an applicant may be granted a medical certificate provided this is endorsed with the following limitation:
"Suitable corrective lenses must be worn for distance vision".
(2) An applicant with uncorrected distance visual acuity of 6/24 or its equivalent (20/80, 0.25) or worse in either eye is also subject to the following limitation endorsed on the medical certificate:
"Suitable spare corrective spectacles must be readily available".
(3) The visual acuity, with and without correction, must be recorded at each examination.

Distance vision (Class 2)
(1) Applicants must have distance visual acuity of not worse than 6/9 or its equivalent (20/40, 0.5) in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. When this standard can be met only by the use of corrective lenses, an applicant may be assessed as fit but the medical certificate must bear the following endorsement:
"Suitable corrective lenses (distance vision) must be worn".
(2) An applicant with uncorrected distance visual acuity of 6/36 or its equivalent (20/120, 0.12) or worse in either eye must also be subject to the following limitation endorsed on the medical certificate:
"Suitable spare corrective spectacles must be readily available".
(3) The visual acuity, with and without correction, must be recorded at each examination.

Distance vision (Class 4)
(1) Applicants must have a distance visual acuity of not worse than 6/12 or its equivalent (20/40, 0.5) in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. When this standard can be met only by the use of corrective lenses, an applicant may be granted a medical certificate provided this is endorsed with the following limitation:
"Suitable corrective lenses must be worn for distance vision".
(2) An applicant with uncorrected distance visual activity of 6/24 or its equivalent (20/80, 0.25) or worse in either eye is also subject to the following limitation endorsed on the medical certificate:
"Suitable spare corrective spectacles must be readily available".
(3) The visual acuity, with and without correction, must be recorded at each examination.

Combined distance and near vision correction
(Class 1,2,3 but not applicable to Class 4)
Applicants requiring distance vision correction must have a near point of accommodation not greater than 33 centimetres, as measured while wearing the required distance vision corrective lenses. Suitable correction for near vision may be necessary in addition to distance vision correction.

Dioptre limits (Class 1,2,3 but not applicable to Class 4)
A need for corrective lenses for either eye within the range of plus or minus 3 dioptres (spherical equivalent) may be accepted, provided that the distance visual acuity without correction is nor worse than 6/60 in each eye separately. Spectacle lenses outside this range are not routinely acceptable, but medical conclusion may permit an applicant to be assessed as fit on production of satisfactory specialist reports. The medical certificate will, where appropriate, be endorsed with the following:
(1) "Contact lenses must be worn"; and
(2) "Spare spectacles must be readily available".

Colour perception standards (Class 1 and 3)
(1) Applicants must demonstrate ability to perceive readily those colours the perception of which is necessary for the safe performance of duties. The use of tinted lenses to obtain adequate colour perception is not permitted.
(2) Applicants must be tested for the ability to correctly identify a series of pseudoisochromatic plates (tables) in daylight or in artificial light of the same colour temperature such as that provided by Illuminant "C" or "D" as specified by the International Commission on Illumination (ICI).
(3) Applicants who fail to obtain a satisfactory score in such a test may nevertheless be assessed as fit if the applicants are able to readily and correctly identify aviation coloured lights displayed by means of a recognised colour perception lantern i.e. Farnsworth, Beyenne, Holmes-wright type A or Spectrolux.
(4) Stereopsis and NPC testing will be required.
(5) Full visual fields will be required.

Colour perception standards (Class 2)
(1) Applicants must demonstrate ability to perceive readily those colours the perception of which is necessary for the safe performance of duties. The use of tinted lenses to obtain adequate colour perception is not permitted.
(2) A medical certificate may be issued if medical conclusion indicates that the applicant has a minor colour perception defect which is compatible with the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence provided the certificate is endorsed with the following limitations:
(a) "For private pilot licence privileges only";
(b) "Not valid for flight in the vicinity of a controlled aerodrome (unless the aircraft is in radio contact with aerodrome control)";
(c) "Not valid for night flying, IFR flying or flying of EFIS equipped aircraft".
(3) Applicants must be tested for the ability to correctly identify a series of pseudoisochromatic plates (tables) in daylight or in artificial light of the same colour temperature such as that provided by Illuminant "C" or "D" as specified by the International Commission on Illumination (ICI).
(4) Applicants who fail to obtain a satisfactory score in such a test may nevertheless be assessed as fit if the applicants are able to readily and correctly identify aviation coloured lights displayed by means of a recognised colour perception lantern, i.e. Farnsworth, Beyenne, Holmes-wright type A or Spectrolux.
(5) Stereopsis and NPC testing will be required.
(6) Full visual fields will be required.

Colour perception standards (Class 4)
Not applicable.


1. To be applicable if optimally corrected vision in the weak eye is 6/12 or worse.
2. Preconditions:
a. There must be no active ocular pathology.
b. Vision (uncorrected or corrected) in the better eye must be 6/6 or better (distance vision) and 6/9 or better (near vision).
3. Initial applicants: In addition to the required standards, initial applicants must pass a practical flight test by a CAA approved instructor before being declared fit according to the protocol.


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How long will it take me to complete the PPL Helicopter course?
This depends entirely from person to person but if you already have aviation experience you will be able to complete the course in a shorter period of time. Full time students can complete the course in 4 – 6 weeks whilst part time students will take anything from 3 months depending on their availability. It is suggested that once you have started your course you complete it as soon as practically possible since there will be time and money wasted recapping the previous lessons.

How do I pay for the PPL Helicopter course?
Payment is made in advance. The amount depends on how quickly you complete the course, usually a block payment for 5, 10 or 15 hours of flying at a time should be adequate. You may also pay for each flying lesson as you go.

Can I organise a charter at any time? What's about a/c sales?
Yes, if you want to arrange anything regarding aviation and helicopters we will do our best to help you.

Can I do advanced training at TH Aviation ConneXions?
Yes, we offer a wide variety of advanced training especially specialising in game capture and simulated combat flight training (fixed wing/helicopter).

Is there a demand for helicopter pilots?
Yes, there is a global shortage of helicopter pilots in general.

Job-offers world-wide for CPL Pilots!

When can I start my PPL, CPL or Bush Pilot Course at the supported flying schools?
You can start your PPL every first monday of the month. The CPL course starts at the beginning of every quarter. Contact TH Aviation Connexions, Henk Malherbe (ATP Instructor), for alternative starting dates. The Bush Pilot Course on request.

Requirements for the ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) ?
1. Total time of 1500hrs as Pilot in Command and dual combined.
2. Total of 100hrs at night, dual or solo.
3. Total of 75hrs Instrument Flying.
4. At least 21 years of age.

South African Embassies abroad

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