Private Pilot Licence- Helicopter (PPL-H)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 November 2011 08:35 Written by Administrator Tuesday, 29 November 2011 13:05

In order to be issued with a Private Pilot Licence in South Africa, the following minimum requirements need to be met:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• An applicant for a PPLH must be at least 17 years of age
• The applicant must hold a valid class I or II medical certificate
• The applicant must have a valid Restricted Radio Licence (done as part of your PPL training)
• An applicant must have a valid SPL, or show evidence of having held either a valid helicopter pilot’s licence issued by a foreign state, OR, a South African Air Force helicopter pilot qualification, OR, a Recreational Pilot Licence within the previous 60 months (5 Years)
• The applicant must have successfully completed training at a CAA approved flight training organisation
• Have passed all the theoretical knowledge examinations required for the PPL syllabus. The subjects are: 1) Aviation Meteorology, 2) Flight Planning and Performance, 3) Navigation, 4) Helicopter technical and general, 5) Principles of Flight, 6) Radio, 7) Human Performance, 8) Air Law
• Have successfully passed the flight skills test
• An applicant for a PPLH must have acquired not less than 50 hours flight time as pilot of a helicopter, of which:
• At least 25 hours are dual instruction in helicopters
• At least 15 hours are solo flight time, of which 5 hours of that must be cross country flights
• The cross country flying must include one triangular cross country flight of not less than 100 NM, during which 2 full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes away from base must be made
• A maximum of 5 dual instruction hours may be accumulated in an approved helicopter simulator
• A qualified South African Air Force pilot may apply for exemption to any or all of the above requirements
• The theoretical examinations have to all be passed within a period of 12 months, and the last exam needs to be passed not more than 6 months before the skills test of a PPL

PRIVILEGES OF A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE- HELICOPTER

• The holder of a valid PPL-H may, by day under VMC ONLY, act as pilot in command of any helicopter that he/she holds the appropriate valid type rating for
• A PPL-H pilot may fly in accordance with IFR or in IMC, only when in sight of the ground, clear of cloud, fog or mist within a control zone only, and only with approval from the applicable air traffic services unit
• The holder of a valid PPL-H may act as co-pilot on any helicopter that is not required to have a co-pilot
• The holder may not act as pilot in command on any helicopter that is carrying passengers or freight for reward or hire
• The holder may not be remunerated for any pilot activities he/she has undertaken on a helicopter
• A PPL-H pilot may act as pilot in command of any aircraft in the course of his/her own or employer’s business, PROVIDED that; the flight is only incidental to the business; and that the helicopter does not carry passengers or freight for reward or hire
• A PPL-H is valid for 10 years, provided that the applicable fees are paid annually
• A PPL-H pilot has to undergo a revalidation check within 12 months of the date of issue of the licence, and thereafter every 24 months