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Pilot Training
Pilot Training at Cape Town Flying Club starts off at the Private Pilot level, but can also take pilots all the way through to their Commercial License, Instrument Rating and ATPL. Our Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), Morne Kleinhans, maintains our high flying standards.
In addition to formalised training with highly qualified instructors, the social nature of the club allows for flying events where pilots can hone their skills in a friendly, yet competitive environment. Our pilots are also encouraged to participate in regular safety briefings where topics range from in-flight emergencies to navigation and commentary on radio and airspaces by local air traffic controllers.
Formal training can be categorised according to the qualification the student is preparing to obtain. The first six choices below indicate formal training options. We also offer two informal options, seen on the third row of links.
ZS-KKU (Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk)
Two seat, single engine low wing trainer
Engine: Lycoming O-235 (3.8l, 4 cyl, 112 hp)
Speed: 95 Knots · ROC: 500 fpm · Fuel: 30 gal
Consumption: 6 gal/hour · Range: 380 nm
Equipment: VHF Radio, VOR
Student Pilot's License (SPL) | Private Pilot's License (PPL) | Night Rating
Instrument Rating | Commercial Pilot's License (CPL) | Instructor's Rating
Pinch Hitter | Fear of Flying
The very first step is to obtain a Student Pilot's License. This enables the student to fly alone, with the approval of an instructor, and is necessary before the instructor may send the pupil on his first solo flight. A prerequisite for the Student License is the aviation medical and it is a good idea to have that medical as soon as possible, so that a student who is medically unfit does not waste time and money on further lessons. The Student Pilot's License requires the student to pass a theoretical test. The student also needs to have completed the radio course before they go solo.
The minimum time required by law is 40 hrs before you can write the exam. The student will be required to pass exams on 6 subjects during the course of his training. These are Navigation, Radio, Engines and Airframes, Meterology and Air Law. At the end of his or her training, the student will be required to complete a final PPL test, which will include an oral exam and flight test encompassing both flying and navigation skills.
Once all the above requirements have been satisfactorily completed, the student will be awarded a PPL license. This will allow him to fly the aircraft they are rated on by day and in VMC (good weather) conditions. He or she may not fly for reward, although they may carry friends as passengers if they wish. The license is valid only on aircraft registered in South Africa (ZS or ZU registered aircraft). The pilot may only fly types of aircraft on which he or she is rated and has flown before.
This last part means that if a pilot has trained on a Piper Tomahawk, he or she will need a conversion before he may fly, for example, a Cessna 152. At CTFC, we are happy to perform conversions for PPL holders to any of our aircraft, or to any other aircraft on which one of our instructors are rated. The time taken for a conversion depends on the degree of difficulty involved. It comprises a theoretical examination confirming that the student is familiar with the technical aspects of the new aircraft, and then between one and ten hours of flying with an instructor in order to first obtain, and then demonstrate competence.
A Night Rating is an excellent first stepping stone for a PPL holder intent on improving his qualifications. It enables the pilot to fly at night in good weather conditions, and serves as an introduction to the basics of Instrument flight.
With an Instrument Rating, a pilot may fly in adverse weather conditions of certain types. Limitations still apply, often but not always dependant on the limitations of the aircraft. An instrument rating is a good idea not only from the point of view of continuing one's aviation education, but from the very sound reasoning that the unexpected does happen, and preparedness is the best defence. Even if a pilot has no intention of flying long distances or desire to fly in overcast conditions, an Instrument Rating will improve his flying accuracy and open up a wider range of navigation options.
CPL (Commercial Pilot's License)
The Commercial Pilot's License may be regarded as the first step in turning a hobby into a potential career. A Commercial Pilot's License entitles the holder to fly for reward. He or she may, for example, fly for a licensed charter operator. It is by no means a guarantee of an immediate launch into a lucrative career, though. Many things are important to different types of aviation employers, and some will require far higher flying hours than the 200 held by a newly qualified CPL.
An Instructors Rating must be obtained by any pilot with a CPL who wishes to give flying instruction. Several of the instructors at CTFC were trained at the club, and have remained with or returned to the club to share their knowledge with a new generation of aviators. Instruction is hard work, but it can be extremely rewarding. It requires not only a good ability to communicate and a high degree of patience, but, as many of our instructors will testify, the ability to sit back and let the student get on with it.
The Pinch Hitter qualification is not a formal flying rating and has no legal standing. It is, however, an extremely useful course for those husbands / wives whose partners are pilots and who are or would like to be involved in their flying. The Pinch Hitter course (also known as the co-pilot's course) takes the student to a point where he or she is comfortable taking control of the aircraft temporarily while the pilot is perhaps engaged in map-reading. It goes further than this, however, and leaves the student able to take off and to land the aircraft, to deal with radio work and to perform certain navigation tasks. The student is trained to perform all tasks from the right-hand or copilot's seat. Theory components include the Radio and Navigation courses.
Many people, often those who have to fly often for business reasons, are afraid of flying. This brief course is designed to deal with this fear and to overcome it, so that future business or holiday travel becomes, maybe not pleasurable, but at least less terrifying. The course is individually structured and typically involves about one hour briefing time and between three and five hours flying.
Email: info@capetownflyingclub.co.za · Phone: +27 (21) 934-0257 · Fax: +27 (21) 934-0827
Address: Cape Town Flying Club, P.O. Box 31, Cape Town International Airport, 7525
