Algoa Flight Centre

Frequently asked questions

If I am travelling from abroad and am not a South African resident will I need a visa?: Current rules for issue of a S A licence is that the applicant have a study visa. More information will be provided on request.

If I am coming from the UK to take a PPL in South Africa can I use it in the UK without a validation or conversion?: Yes. There is no need to convert or validate. A single check ride with a club is all you need. However club rules may require extra time to prove navigation and radio skills in the company of an instructor. Particularly clubs around London as the airspace is quite complex. Generally speaking the rule of thumb is that any two of the following must be the same. Nationality of the licence, Nationality of the aircraft, Nationality of the airspace. Anyone in doubt should look at Irv Lee's web site as this has all you really need to know. There is even a South African doctor doing medicals in the UK. The air law is slightly different and should be read up as some items are not compatible. You can find a lot more information on our UK information Page

I wear glasses. Can I still get a pilots licence?: Yes. Wearing glasses in itself is not a limitation. You will be required to do an eye test and as long as you meet the laid down limits you can pass the medical

Who owns the Algoa Flight Centre?: The Algoa Flying Club owns and operates the flight centre. This organisation finds it's roots before the 2nd World war when the Port Elizabeth Aero Club was formed, training pilots on Tiger Moths. The club was reformed in 1956 as the Algoa Flying Club, named after Algoa Bay on the coast of which the city is situated. The local flying school came under club ownership in 1971. Full members of the club benefit greatly from the reduced flying costs that the club offers.

I was told that any flight school operated by a club only trains recreational pilots. Is this true?: No, of course not. All CAA accredited training organisations have to comply with the same requirements. If the school is accredited to carry out training up to Airline Pilot Licence, as is the case with the Algoa Flight Centre, then the school must meet same the rigorous standards laid down for that licence. Besides AFC has trained scores of airline pilots over the years and many past students now train other pilots at various commercial flying schools

I am not sure if I can stay for the full duration of the course. Can I quit and continue later?: Yes! This is were we can be very flexible. Although a deposit will be required, you will only pay for the training you receive. You will not have to pay the full fee up front and you will be refunded the balance if you decide to leave early or of course if it is found that you do not have the aptitude to complete.

I live in the UK. Can I fly here on my South African licence?: Yes absolutely! You can keep your South African licence current in the UK. Irv Lee of Higherplane Aviation Training at Popham has, through our centre, been granted approval to do South African PPL renewals in the UK on G registered aircraft. There is, in addition, a doctor in the UK approved to do South African medicals, so all the requirements and the paperwork can be fullfilled in the UK without the expense of a trip back to South Africa. Great news as well is that Irv Lee also has approval to do type conversions onto a large variety of types for South African licence holders. So you are by no means restricted to those aircraft types on which you learned to fly, that is now no longer true.