Step 01
Begin with private pilot training
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Unlocks
Your first licence, and the foundation for everything after it
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Flight training at Eagle Air · Wonderboom National Airport
There is more than one way to become a pilot. Let's find yours.
Whether you want to fly for yourself, build a professional career or add the next capability to your licence, your path starts with a clear next step.
On the apron · where to begin
What do you want flying to become?
Choose one. Your route, starting point and courses update below — and you can change your mind any time.
Your route preview
Choose a goal above to see your route.
From the apron to open sky
A typical route to professional flying
Choose a goal above to see your route.
Shown meanwhile: a typical professional route, as a preview.
Choose your goalA typical route — every student progresses at their own pace, and the training team will confirm yours.
Step 02
Fly after sunset
Night Rating
Step 03
Build flight time and commercial theory
Hour Building and commercial ground school
Unlocks
The flying experience and theory examinations commercial training needs
Step 04
Add instrument and multi-engine capability
Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi-Engine (ME) training
Unlocks
Instrument flying and more complex aircraft, trained in the aircraft and simulator
- Instrument Rating (IR)
- Multi-Engine Rating (ME)Detailed page coming soon
Step 05
Qualify as a commercial pilot
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Step 06
Keep building professional experience
Instructor Rating, or progress toward the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
Unlocks
Teach to build hours, or pass the ATPL theory and build the experience the full licence requires
- Instructor RatingDetailed page coming soon
- Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
- Your next step ↓
Every course, in plain English
Explore the training
Every licence, rating and supporting qualification, organised by what you want to do.
Showing 12 of 12
Licences3
Licence
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Learn to fly an aircraft yourself, for the enjoyment of it or as the first step of a flying career.
- Who it's for
- Beginners — no flying experience needed.
- What it enables
- Fly yourself and non-paying passengers in daylight and good weather; the foundation for commercial training.
- Starting level
- No flying experience
Licence
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Qualify to fly as a pilot for compensation or hire.
- Who it's for
- Private pilots building a professional flying career.
- What it enables
- Paid professional flying. It's taken with an Instrument Rating (a CPL with IF) or without one, which changes the flight experience required.
- Starting level
- Private Pilot Licence and Night Rating
Licence
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
The highest level of pilot licence, for pilot-in-command of multi-crew aircraft such as airliners.
- Who it's for
- Commercial pilots progressing toward airline command — not a first course.
- What it enables
- Pass the ATPL theory as a commercial pilot with an Instrument Rating (a 'frozen ATPL'), then build the required experience toward the full licence.
- Starting level
- Commercial Pilot Licence
Ratings4
Rating
Night Rating
Adds the privilege of flying after sunset.
- Who it's for
- Private pilots, and everyone on the professional route.
- What it enables
- Night flying in visual conditions — and it's required before the CPL.
- Starting level
- Private Pilot Licence
Rating
Instrument Rating (IR)
Adds the ability to fly on instruments alone, under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), when you can't see outside references.
- Who it's for
- Pilots heading into commercial or airline flying.
- What it enables
- Instrument (IFR) operations — essential for most commercial and airline flying.
- Starting level
- PPL with Night Rating, or CPL
Rating
Multi-Engine Rating (ME)
Moves you from one engine to two, on more complex aircraft.
- Who it's for
- Pilots on the commercial route.
- What it enables
- Multi-engine operations, trained on the Beechcraft Baron 55 and Piper Seneca II.
- Starting level
- Entry requirements: ask the training team
Detailed page coming soonSpeak to the Training Team: Multi-Engine Rating (ME)Rating
Instructor Rating
Qualifies you to teach student pilots.
- Who it's for
- Licensed pilots who want to teach while they build experience.
- What it enables
- Instructing — a common way to build hours and professionalism toward senior roles.
- Starting level
- Entry requirements: ask the training team
Detailed page coming soonSpeak to the Training Team: Instructor Rating
Experience1
Experience
Hour Building — Hire & Fly
Build pilot-in-command flying time and real-world experience.
- Who it's for
- Licensed pilots building toward commercial training, or flying for pleasure.
- What it enables
- The experience commercial training requires, through hire-and-fly and organised fly-away trips to other airfields.
- Starting level
- Private Pilot Licence
Supporting qualifications4
Supporting qualification
Ground School
The theory behind safe flying: air law, meteorology, navigation, flight planning and more.
- Who it's for
- Every student pilot — in a classroom or online at your own pace.
- What it enables
- Your theory examinations, and better decisions in the air.
- Starting level
- No flying experience
Supporting qualification
Restricted Radiotelephony
The standard radio procedures and phraseology for your first flying.
- Who it's for
- Student pilots.
- What it enables
- Clear radio calls with air traffic control — required for the PPL.
- Starting level
- No flying experience
Supporting qualification
General Radiotelephony
Advanced radio communication for controlled airspace and professional operations.
- Who it's for
- Pilots on the instrument and commercial route.
- What it enables
- Busier airspace and professional flying — required for the Instrument Rating.
- Starting level
- Restricted Radiotelephony
Supporting qualificationTo confirm
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
The aviation-English assessment a pilot licence requires, with training if needed.
- Who it's for
- Every student pilot, including international students.
- What it enables
- Licence issue.
- Starting level
- No flying experience
Detailed page coming soonSpeak to the Training Team: English Language Proficiency (ELP)
In the air
What training actually feels like
Prepare
Briefings, theory and checklists with your instructor — so every decision in the air has a reason behind it.
Fly
Dual lessons with an instructor beside you, real decisions in the air, and your hands on the controls.
Progress
Your first solo, cross-country flights and flight tests: each milestone builds the confidence for the next.
Why Eagle Air
Why students train at Eagle Air
SACAA-accredited training organisation
Registered with the South African Civil Aviation Authority as SACAA ATO 1082.
Wonderboom National Airport
Train from Hangar 58A at Wonderboom National Airport, Pretoria.
Instructors, simulator and fleet
70,000+ hours of combined experience, an FNPT II simulator, and a fleet from the Cessna 172 to the Beechcraft Baron 55.
Local and international students
International students train here with the appropriate study visa, with student transport within 10 km of the airport.
Open sky
You do not need to have the whole route figured out. Just the next step.