Requirements for obtaining a helicopter private pilot's license (PPL) include practical flying experience and passing examinations. Student pilots require:

The applicant for a student pilot's licence must:

• Be 17 years or older.

• Submit (to the Civil Aviation Authority) an application signed by a Grade I or II Instructor certifying that the applicant is familiar with the type of aircraft being trained on and that he has an adequate knowledge of radio telephony procedures.

• Pass a written examination of NOTAM's and AIC's currently in force and applicable to the operation of aircraft by private pilots.

• Submit a valid medical report.

• Submit two recent passport photographs.

The applicant for a private pilot's licence must:

• Be not less than 17 years of age.

• Be the holder of a flight Radio Telephony license.

• Pass examinations in the following subjects:
  • Principles of Flight
  • Air Navigation
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
  • Helicopter Technical and General
  • Helicopter Type Technical

• Have completed a minimum of 50 hours flight time of which not less than 15 hours shall be solo. This must include at lest 3 hours solo cross-country flying.

• Pass a practical flight test.

Like to know more about getting helicopter training in South Africa? Click here to get more helicopter school information.