Instructor Sponsorship Programme
The right seat is where another pilot’s story begins.
Eagle Air funds and mentors selected commercial pilots through instructor training — and then puts them in the seat where someone else’s first flight happens.
Where the programme stands
Applications open year-round
Applications for the Instructor Sponsorship Programme are accepted at any time. Intakes run on dates the school sets.
- Next intake
- 01 Oct 2026
- Indicative application date
- 31 Aug 2026
Intake dates are indicative and are confirmed with candidates during selection.
The programme
What the programme is
Eagle Air's Flight Instructor Sponsorship Programme selects, trains and mentors candidates to become flight instructors — addressing a worldwide shortage of instructors that affects safety, training standards and the future of pilot development.
Four things people mix up, and shouldn’t
- An Instructor Rating
- The qualification itself — the training that lets you teach student pilots. Anyone eligible can train for it.
- Sponsorship for that training
- Eagle Air funding and mentoring a selected candidate through instructor training.
- Working as an Eagle Air instructor
- What the programme leads to on successful completion, on the terms of the formal agreement.
- The service commitment
- The period a sponsored instructor agrees to work at Eagle Air afterwards. It is a contractual obligation, not a preference.
Eligibility
Who it is for
The school’s own requirements, unchanged. If you are close to one of them rather than past it, the team will tell you what that means for your application.
Licences and certificates
- Valid Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Instrument Flight (IF) Rating
- Class 1 Medical Certificate
- Must hold a level 5 or higher ELP certificate
- Proficiency in the English language, both spoken and written, is required
What the school looks for
- Strong Communication and Instructional Skills
- Knowledge and Understanding of Aviation Regulations
- Dedication and Commitment
- Teamwork and Professionalism
- Candidates must have the availability to commit to the program's schedule
- Access to their own reliable transportation is necessary
Preference for the program will be given to South-African citizens and Eagle Air students, however, any person who meets the minimum requirements may apply.
What you get
What the programme provides
- Full sponsorship for instructor training
- Guaranteed job placement as a flight instructor
- Career growth, mentorship and skill-building
- A competitive edge for airline and corporate opportunities
Placement as an Eagle Air instructor follows successful completion of the course, on the terms set out in the formal sponsorship agreement.
Covered by the sponsorship
- All flight and ground training will be provided
- One attempt at each instructor exam
- Application fees are covered
- DFE fees are covered
You remain responsible for
- Meals, accommodation and transport
- Licence renewals and medicals
Read this part twice
The commitment you would be making
Sponsorship is not free training. In return for the school funding the rating, a sponsored instructor commits to instructing at Eagle Air.
The commitment
Approximately 2–3 years as an Eagle Air flight instructor
The training itself
Training takes 3–6 months on average
If you withdraw
What happens if a sponsored instructor withdraws is governed by the formal agreement, and is discussed individually before anyone signs it.
Where it can lead afterwards
- Continue as Senior Instructor
- Transition to airlines or corporate aviation
- Pursue other aviation opportunities
The website provides a programme overview. Successful candidates receive the formal agreement and complete terms before accepting the sponsorship.
The route through
How selection works
The school's own description of the route, start to finish.
01
Candidates apply and undergo selection
02
Sponsored training and mentorship begins
03
Graduates become Eagle Air instructors
04
Instructors gain hours and progress into industry leaders
Reaching one stage does not guarantee selection at the next. The detail of each intake's process is confirmed with candidates directly.
Not the same thing
The rating, and the sponsorship, are not the same thing
An Instructor Rating qualifies you to teach student pilots. The sponsorship is Eagle Air funding that training for a selected candidate, in return for a commitment to instruct here.
The rating itself: Qualifies you to teach student pilots.
Becoming a flight instructor
The cornerstone of aviation safety
- Mastery of Fundamentals
- Teaching others forces you to refine your own knowledge and flying skills.
- Professional Discipline
- Instructors develop exceptional situational awareness and communication skills.
- Safety Mindset
- Daily responsibility for students cultivates a deep respect for safety.
- Career Longevity & Marketability
- Airlines and corporate operators place a high value on pilots with instructing backgrounds.
- Industry Impact
- Every instructor shapes dozens of future pilots.
Before you apply
Questions about the programme
Answered from what the school publishes. Broader questions about training itself have their own page.
Yes — applications are accepted year-round. Intakes run on dates the school sets, and those are confirmed with candidates during selection.
All flight and ground training, one attempt at each instructor exam, application fees and DFE fees. Meals, accommodation, transport, licence renewals and medicals are not covered.
Yes — placement as an Eagle Air flight instructor follows successful completion of the course, on the terms of the formal sponsorship agreement.
Yes. Sponsored instructors commit to approximately 2–3 years instructing at Eagle Air. It is a contractual obligation set out in the agreement.
That is governed by the formal agreement, and is discussed with you individually before you sign it.
A valid Commercial Pilot Licence with an Instrument Flight rating, a Class 1 medical, and an ELP certificate at level 5 or higher.
Preference is given to South African citizens and Eagle Air students, but anyone meeting the minimum requirements may apply.
The requirements list a valid CPL with an IF rating, so the team will tell you what applies if you are close to finishing.
Three to six months on average.
Candidates apply and undergo selection. Reaching one stage does not guarantee the next, and each intake's process is confirmed with candidates directly.
Instructors who came through it
“Joining the sponsorship programme really gave me the much needed boost to progress my career. Not only did it lift the financial burden of my training, but also gave me the confidence and support I needed to excel.”
Phambili Madolo · Flight Instructor
“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected for the Flight Instructor Course bursary programme offered by Eagle Air. Each training phase not only challenged my technical abilities but also my commitment and passion for aviation.”
Arnold Mauritz · Flight Instructor
“As a flight instructor, I've had the privilege of experiencing the exceptional community at Eagle Air. The welcoming atmosphere, which I now consider a family, fosters an environment where every question is met with thoughtful answers and genuine support.”
Ross Pyle · Flight Instructor
“I'm so grateful to Eagle Air for giving me the chance to be part of their Instructor Sponsorship program. This opportunity has opened doors I could only dream of a few years ago.”
Kopano Mutchinya · Flight Instructor
Applying, once the real form exists
The application will be a short form covering your licences and ratings, your flying experience, your availability, and why you want to instruct. It is being designed with Eagle Air and is not live yet.
What a public form will never ask for
- Identity or passport numbers
- Licence numbers
- Medical certificates
- Full logbooks
- CV files
- Banking details
Prototype preview — no application has been submitted.