Airline Transport Pilot Licence
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
If your goal is to be a Pilot in Command (PIC) on large commercial multi-crew aircraft you would need to obtain an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
To obtain an ATPL you will need to ensure that you have all the necessary requirements in place before you embark on the journey.
The ATPL course consists of:
- Written examinations
- Prescribed practical training
- A skills test
General Requirements
Aeroplane (ATPL)
- You must be 21 years of age;
- Hold a valid Class 1 medical certificate;
- Produce evidence of holding or having held, within the previous 60 months, an Instrument Rating and one of the following—
- a South African Private Pilot Licence or Commercial Pilot Licence or
- a pilot licence (aeroplane) issued by a Contracting State; or
- a SPL where the you have completed an integrated training course approved by service provider
Aeroplane ATPL Requirements
Flying Requirements
You must have completed 1 500 hours of flight in an aeroplane, of which;
- 500 hours must be Pilot in Command under Supervision (PICUS)
- 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC), up to 150 hours may be PICUS
- 200 hours cross-country flight time, 100 hours may be as co-pilot or PICUS
- 75 hours must be instrument time, not more than 30 hours may be acquired in an approved simulator approved for the purpose; and
- 100 hours must be night flight time as PIC or as co-pilot.
Examinations
You must pass examinations in the following subjects
- Aircraft Technical and General (Aeroplane)
- Flight Performance and Planning
- General Navigation
- Instruments and Electronics
- Meteorology
- Radio Aids and Communication
Helicopter ATPL Requirements
Flying Requirements
YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED 1 500 HOURS OF FLIGHT IN A HELICOPTER, OF WHICH;
- 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC), up to 70 hours may be Pilot in Command Under Supervision (PICUS)
- 200 hours cross-country flight time, 100 hours may be as co-pilot or PICUS
- 30 hours instrument flight instruction time, not more than 10 hours may be acquired in an approved helicopter simulator during the six months immediately preceding the date of application if you are not the holder of an instrument rating
- 50 hours night flight time as PIC or as co-pilot.
Examinations
YOU MUST PASS EXAMINATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS
- Aircraft Technical and General (Helicopter)
- Flight Performance and Planning
- General Navigation
- Instruments and Electronics
- Meteorology
- Radio Aids and Communication
General Requirements
Helicopter ATPL
- Candidates must be 21 years of age
- Hold a valid Class 1 medical certificate
- Produce evidence of holding or having held, within the previous 60 months, a night rating and one of the following—
- a South African Private Pilot Licence or Commercial Pilot Licence; or
- a pilot helicopter licence issued by a Contracting State; or
- a SPL where the applicant has completed an approved integrated training course