CPT
Cape Town
SACAA Hub
Back to Aerovate320 flying days.
SACAA · Licence Compatibility
320 flying days.
World-class training.
Train under SACAA at our Cape Town, George and Port Alfred academies — the world's most-flown classroom — then convert seamlessly into DGCA, FAA, EASA, CASA or GCAA when you're ready to go global.
Issued under
SACAR Part 61
South African Civil Aviation Authority
Recognised across
ICAO Annex 1
Plus bilateral conversion partners
Issued to
Career-Track Cadets
PPL · Night · CPL · ME-IR · ATPL
Foundations
Pump up your skills — supercharge exam-passing with foundational classes on every SACAA subject.
Air Law · Navigation · Meteorology · Tech-Gen · Performance · Human Factors · Comms · Instruments. Live, instructor-led foundations from Aerovate Global — bridge gaps, lock concepts, walk into your SACAA written with confidence.
Chapter I · The Selector
SACAA · ICAO Annex 1Select your destination CAA to see how your SACAA licence converts.
Pick the regulator where you intend to fly commercially. We'll show you exactly what's required to convert a SACAA CPL/IR into the licence issued by that authority — exams, flight test, medical, hour credit, timeline.
Destination regulator
Supporting 25+ destinations across DGCA, FAA, EASA, UK CAA, GCAA, CASA, SACAA & more.
Destination regulator
India
DGCA
From
SACAA
Part 61 / Part 141 · South Africa
To
DGCA
India
Your SACAA licence converts cleanly into the DGCA system in India.
SACAA Part 61 / Part 141 is recognised under ICAO Annex 1 and accepted by every major regulator with a defined conversion path. Below is the typical pathway from a SACAA CPL/ME/IR into the DGCA system.
Timeline
4–6 months
Hour credit
All SACAA hours credited; verify with DGCA before leaving SA.
For pricing, please contact Aerovate Global.
Theory exams
DGCA CPL papers: Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General + Specific, RTR(A) — 6 exams.
Flight test
DGCA CPL skill test on Indian-registered aircraft + RTR(A).
Medical
DGCA Class 1 at IAF / DGCA-approved AME.
Note · Most popular conversion path for Indian cadets.
Plan my SACAA → DGCA conversionChapter II · The Network
SACAA hubs where we deliver pilot training across South Africa.
320 flying days, year-round VFR weather and world-class training fleets — efficient, examiner-led training pipelines into every major regulator.
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GRJ
George
SACAA Hub
AFD
Port Alfred
SACAA Hub
JNB
Johannesburg
SACAA Hub
DUR
Durban
SACAA Hub
Interlude · Cape Skies
"South Africa builds the toughest stick-and-rudder pilots in the world — wind, mountains, weather, all year."
320 VFR days per year — more usable flying weather than any other major training nation.
№ Field Notes · From the SACAA flight line
From the apron, the cockpit, the cloud deck.
Real frames from real cadets across our partner flight lines — the kind of training SACAA candidates do every week.
01 / 37
Apron · Dusk
Twin-tail at last light
Plate 01
№ 01 · Civil Aviation Authority
South African Civil Aviation Authority
SACAA — South Africa
www.caa.co.za SACAA regulates SA civil aviation under SACAR. Famous for cost-effective ICAO training in clear weather.
Training standards
200 hrs CPL · 8 theory papers · 320 flying days/yr.
Plate № 01
Where SACAA training meets the line.
№ 02 · Pathway
PPL → ATPL under SACAA
PPL — Private Pilot Licence
Flight hours
45 hrs
Theory
8 PPL papers + radio licence
Medical
Class 2
CPL — Commercial Pilot Licence
Flight hours
200 hrs
Theory
8 CPL papers + RT
Medical
Class 1
IR — Instrument Rating
Flight hours
40 hrs instrument
Theory
Within CPL Nav + Met
Medical
Carried over
ME — Multi-Engine Rating
Flight hours
10 hrs ME
Theory
—
Medical
Carried over
ATPL — Airline Transport Pilot Licence
Flight hours
1500 hrs
Theory
8 ATPL papers
Medical
Carried over
№ 03 · Fleet
Aircraft accepted by SACAA for training
Single-engine trainers
- Cessna 150/152/172
- Piper Cherokee
- Sling 2/4
- Cirrus SR20
Multi-engine trainers
- Piper Seneca
- Beech Baron
- Diamond DA42
Approved simulators
- FNPT II MCC
- Level D FFS in JNB
"If you can fly Cape Town crosswinds and George mountains, you can fly anywhere in the world."
— Captain T. Pillay · ATR-72 Captain
№ 04 · Type rating
SACAA type rating requirements
Minimum entry
CPL + ME/IR + MCC
Pathway
SACAA CPL + 8 ATPL theory + MCC. TRTOs at OR Tambo (CAE, Simuflight).
Aircraft types accepted
B737A320EmbraerATRDash 8
№ 05 · Admission
Eligibility & admission requirements
Age
17+ for PPL · 18+ for CPL
Education
Matric / 10+2 (or equivalent)
English
ICAO Level 4 English
Medical
SACAA Class 1 (Class 2 to start)
Documents required
- Passport (valid 2+ yrs)
- School transcripts
- Class 2 medical
- Police clearance
- ID photos
№ 06 · Visa
Visa process & requirements
Visa type
Study Visa (Section 13)
Duration
Up to 24 months, renewable
Work rights
Training-only; no part-time work
Processing time
8–12 weeks
All visa documentation is processed end-to-end via Aerovate Global — appointment booking, embassy submissions, biometrics and approvals.
Key documents
- VFS South Africa application
- Acceptance letter from SACAA-approved school
- Proof of funds USD 8,500+
- Medical & radiology
Plate № 02
Study visas & SACAA paperwork — handled.
№ 08 · Compatibility
Where a SACAA licence converts most easily
These are the regulators that recognise SACAA training closest to their own standards — usually requiring only an air-law paper, a skill test and a medical re-issue. Click any destination to apply for training there.
India
DGCA
200 hrs CPL · 6 theory papers · RTR(A) · skill test with DGCA examiner.
United States
FAA
190–250 hrs CPL · written + oral + checkride per certificate.
Poland
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Europe (EASA)
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Australia
CASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 7 theory exams · flight test with CASA FE.
United Arab Emirates
GCAA
200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL papers + UAE Air Law · 330 flying days/yr.
Greece
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
France
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Netherlands
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Spain
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Italy
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Switzerland
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Norway
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
№ 07 · Licence conversion
Convert SACAA licence to DGCA · FAA · EASA · CASA · GCAA
Below is the typical conversion path from a SACAA licence into each major regulator. All routes assume an ICAO Annex 1-compliant CPL/IR, valid logbook, and a Class 1 medical from the destination state. Numbers are indicative — confirm with the receiving authority before booking exams.
→ DGCA4–6 months
Theory exams
DGCA CPL papers: Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General + Specific, RTR(A) — 6 exams.
Flight test
DGCA CPL skill test on Indian-registered aircraft + RTR(A).
Medical
DGCA Class 1 at IAF / DGCA-approved AME.
Hours credit
All SACAA hours credited; verify with DGCA before leaving SA.
Note · Most popular conversion path for Indian cadets.
→ FAA6–10 weeks
Theory exams
FAA written exams: Private (PAR), Commercial (CAX), Instrument (IRA) + IACRA application.
Flight test
Checkride per rating with FAA DPE.
Medical
FAA Class 1.
Hours credit
Full credit via ICAO Annex 1.
→ EASA9–14 months
Theory exams
EASA ATPL theory — 13 papers (Air Law, AGK Airframe & Systems, AGK Powerplant, AGK Instruments, Mass & Balance, Performance, Flight Planning, Human Performance, Meteorology, Gen Nav, Radio Nav, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight, Communications).
Flight test
Skill test on EASA-registered ME aircraft.
Medical
Class 1 medical re-issued in destination state (~USD 250–400, 1 day).
Hours credit
Hours credited; ATPL theory must be re-done at EASA ATO.
→ GCAA6–10 weeks
Theory exams
GCAA CPL/IR licence verification + Air Law UAE paper, plus skills assessment at an AS-approved ATO.
Flight test
GCAA assessment at UAE ATO.
Medical
GCAA Class 1 in UAE.
Hours credit
Full ICAO credit.
→ CASA4–6 months
Theory exams
CASA CPL exams (7): Aerodynamics, Aircraft Gen Knowledge, Performance & Loading, Meteorology, Navigation, Flight Rules & Air Law, Human Factors. + IREX for instrument rating.
Flight test
CPL flight test + IREX.
Medical
CASA Class 1.
Hours credit
Full credit.
100% compliance promise
Aerovate's conversion advisors handle exam booking, document apostille, AME scheduling and skill-test prep end-to-end — guaranteed to meet the receiving regulator's Annex 1 standards.
№ 08 · FAQs
Frequently asked questions about South Africa
Why train in South Africa?+
Best price-to-flying-days ratio in the world: ~320 VFR days, modern fleet, and SACAA examiners trained to ICAO standards.
Is SACAA CPL valid in India?+
Yes — fully convertible to DGCA after 6 papers + skill test (~4–6 months).
What's the total cost?+
USD 32,000–45,000 for the CPL itself; budget USD 50,000 all-in including stay, conversion and gear.
Chapter III · The Global Network
All supported regulators across our global network.
From Cape Town to Calicut, Johannesburg to Jeddah — one team handles every conversion, every approval, every embassy stamp.
India
DGCA
South Africa
SACAA
United States
FAA
Poland
EASA
Europe (EASA)
EASA
Philippines
CAAP
Australia
CASA
United Arab Emirates
GCAA
Saudi Arabia
GACA
Qatar
QCAA
Kuwait
CAA-Kuwait
Oman
CAA-Oman
Bahrain
CAA-Bahrain
Singapore
CAAS
Malaysia
CAAM
Thailand
CAAT
Japan
JCAB
South Korea
MOLIT
Indonesia
DGCA-ID
Greece
EASA
France
EASA
Netherlands
EASA
Spain
EASA
Italy
EASA
Switzerland
EASA
Norway
EASA
Foundations · FAQ
Before you enrol.
The questions cadets ask before signing up for the Aerovate Global foundations programme — prerequisites, schedule, and how it lifts your SACAA pass-rate.