Private Pilot Licence

The private pilot licence is designed to achieve a standard necessary for operation of helicopters in a private capacity. Holders of a private pilot license can fly solo or with passengers, anywhere in the country day or night in a rotorwing aircraft. A private pilot license enables you to start a career as a pilot. Take advantage of helicopter hire or pilot your private helicopter to fly friends and family around on weekends, for business trips, assist with humanitarian or "search and rescue" mission to mention just a few. However, holders of a private pilot licence may not be remunerated for flying done.

The Student pilot license authorises the student pilot to fly solo during your training. In order to obtain the student pilot licence (SPL), the following is required from the applicant, provided he/she is at least 16 years of age:

Hold a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate;

Have successfully completed a technical test on the helicopter that the training will be done on; and
Have successfully completed a general aviation knowledge test (pre-solo).

The PPL licence allows you to fly as pilot in command of an aircraft for no reward. In other words, you may take your friends and family up but you may not do any form of commercial work. In order to obtain the PPL license, the applicant must:

Be at least 17 years of age;
Hold a valid student pilot license (SPL);
Have a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate;
Have a Restricted or General radioRadio license;
Have at least 50 hours of flying experience on helicopters, of which:
A minimum of 25 hours need to be dual instruction;
A minimum of 15 hours have been flown solo, of which 5 hours need to be solo cross country flights;
Have successfully completed the seven (7) theoretical subjects; and
Have successfully completed the practical test with a Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).

Get started on your PPL license, contact ATS today.

Commercial Pilot Licence

This Commercial Pilot license (CPL) allows you to fly a helicopter as pilot in command for reward. You may act as pilot in command (PIC) of any helicopter that you are rated on. In order to qualify for this pilot licence, you need to:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Hold a valid Class 1 medical certificate;
Have a General Radio License;
Hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL);
Have a minimum of 200 hours; this includes the 50 hours obtained for the private pilot license PPL, of which:
100 hours need to be PIC (pilot in command) ( minimum requirement)
20 hours cross country;
Have completed the eight (8) theoretical examinations and
Have successfully completed the practical test with an approved DFE.
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of briefings;
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of dual flying with a Grade II or I Instructor (Left-seat), of which a maximum of 5 hours may be done on the Simulator;
Successfully complete two (2) theoretical examinations, now available to be written at ATS on the CAA data base; and
Have passed an oral and a practical test with an approved FIDFE.

In order to obtain the helicopter Private Pilot License the same is required as that of someone who has not got any aviation background, but there are a few exceptions. The applicant must:

Be at least 17 years of age;
Hold a valid student pilot license (SPL);
Have a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate;
Have a Restricted or General radioRadio license;
Have at least 50 hours of flying experience on helicopters, of which:
A minimum of 25 hours need to be dual instruction;
A minimum of 15 hours have been flown solo, of which 5 hours need to be solo cross country flights;
Have successfully completed the four (4) theoretical subjects; and
Have successfully completed the practical test with a Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).

Night Rating

This is a rating that allows you to fly as PIC during the night. In order to obtain the Night Rating the applicant needs to:

Hold a valid PPL or higher license;
Complete a minimum of 10 hours dual Instrument Instruction, of which a maximum of 5 hours can be done on a Simulator;
Complete the a minimum of 1 hour dual night circuits; (5 circuits & landings)
Complete a dual cross country flight;
Successfully complete a theoretical examination and
Have passed a practical night test with an approved DFE.

Instructors Rating

Once you have obtained your Instructors Rating you will be able to give instruction on the aircraft that you have been tested on. The test can only be done once you have received your Commercial Licence. You may do the training before you have done your commercial licence and then once you have received that documentation, you may test for your Grade III Instructors rating. In order to obtain the instructors rating one needs to:

Complete a minimum of 20 hours of briefings;
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of dual flying with a Grade II or I Instructor (Left-seat), of which a maximum of 5 hours may be done on the Simulator;
Successfully complete two (2) theoretical examinations, now available to be written at ATS on the CAA data base; and
Have passed an oral and a practical test with an approved FIDFE.

Commercial Fixed wing to helicopter PPL

In order to obtain the helicopter PPL the same is required as that of someone who has not got any aviation background, but there are a few exceptions. The applicant must:

Be at least 17 years of age;
Hold a valid student pilot license (SPL);
Have a valid Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate;
Have a Restricted or General radio license;
Have at least 50 hours of flying experience on helicopters, of which:
A minimum of 25 hours need to be dual instruction;
A minimum of 15 hours have been flown solo, of which 5 hours need to be solo cross country flights;
Have successfully completed the four (4) theoretical subjects; and
Have successfully completed the practical test with a Designated Flight Examiner (DFE).