Aviation training

Choosing an aviation training organisation

Aviation training in South Africa is regulated. Courses that lead to a licence or rating, including training for aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licences under Part 66, may only be given by an approved training organisation (ATO) that holds a SACAA approval under Part 141 of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The approval lists the courses the ATO may run, so check that the course you want is on it.

Types of course

• Type courses on a specific aircraft or engine, for engineers who need to work on that type. They are often grouped by manufacturer, from turboprops and light aircraft to airliners.
• Licence training towards an AME licence, made up of theory modules and practical experience.
• General and safety subjects such as human factors, dangerous goods, safety management and quality systems. Many of these are refresher courses that must be repeated at set intervals.

What to ask before you book

Is the course on your approval? Ask for the ATO number and check the course appears in its approved training.

Will it be recognised where I need it? If you or your staff work for a foreign operator or on foreign-registered aircraft, ask whether that authority accepts the course.

Where and how is it taught? Some ATOs teach at their own premises, some at your base, and some partly online. Practical elements usually need hands-on time.

What do I get at the end? Ask what certificate you receive, how quickly, and whether the ATO keeps records you can ask for later.

Companies often train a group at once, so ask about group bookings and dates arranged around your operation.

See aviation training across South Africa for organisations that teach nationally and beyond our borders, or browse all aviation ads.

Written by the Find4U team at QX Software in Pretoria. We read every website before its ad runs.