PILOT

How to become a Pilot in Kenya

It is a rewarding course despite the high fees. Pilots earn between ksh 120,000 and ksh 500,000 a month depending on experience. The main challenge for those who want to study piloting is high fees because of high cost of fuel and little public and private investment. Individual airlines & civil aviation association are providing most aviation training.

To qualify, you need a Mean grade of C+ with pass in Mathematics, English, Geography and any science subject or a degree and above. For those eyeing Kenya Airways then they school have a mean grade of B+ and above. The course consists of theory, which takes 2-3 months & practical (11_/2 yrs)

The first step into the world of piloting course is good grades in Math, Physics, Geography and English/Kiswahili (Geography not a must). Then visit an Aviation Doctor authorized by KCAA (Kenya Civil Aviation Authority) for medical checkup, you need to be ‘Fit for Flying’.
Medical Fee approx. Ksh 12,000

With the Class 2 Medical Certificate you need a Student Pilot License (SPL) obtained from KCAA. It is the one to prove you can now study Piloting.
Requirements for SPL include:

• Being at least 17yrs of age
• Able to write, speak and understand English
• Be in possession of a class 2 Medical Certificate,
• Supply 2 passport size photos and
• Pay KCAA fees of Ksh 1,000

After that you are now ready to enroll in any Flying School. The first License you do is called the PPL (Private Pilot License). The purpose is to fly in command of an aircraft with passengers however not for compensation or hire. The Requirements for PPL include:

• Pass knowledge test for Ground School
• Complete 30hrs of dual flight time,10hrs solo flight, in total 40hrs
• Obtain Radio License
• Pass flight test after receiving adequate training for at least 40hrs

The cost of doing a PPL is as follows: Ground school: Ksh40,000 Examiners fees: Ksh15,000 Navigation fees: Ksh10,000 Stationary/Equipment: Ksh50,000 Flying cost 40hrs: Ksh600,000 Headsets: Ksh45,000 TOTAL Ksh 760,000
PPL can take a maximum of 6 months.

Afterwards you move to the next step which is CPL (Commercial Pilot License). Now with this license you get to earn a big salary and fly passengers. It can take up to one year in training.
Requirements for CPL include:

• Be at least 18 yrs of age
• Hold a valid PPL
• Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Pass knowledge test for Ground School
• Pass flight test after receiving adequate training for at least 150hrs

Cost of doing a CPL is as follows: Ground school: Ksh60,000 Examiners fees: Ksh30,000 Navigation fees: Ksh110,000 Flying cost 110hrs: Ksh1,650,000 TOTAL Ksh 1,850,000

Reputable institutions offering aviation include Kenya Airways, East Africa School of flying,

Skyline flights, Nairobi flight training, Air travel & related studies centre, CMC flying school, Nairobi Aviation College and Eldoret Aviation

You can do your pilot training locally or internationally depending on your finances. For those with insufficient funds you can train locally and for those with sufficient funds you can train abroad and it quicker. Also when going to train abroad ensure an audit is done on the flying school of the accreditation, fleet, stability, administration and the capability in terms of both ground & flight instructors experiencing in pilot training. Some consultants have collaboration with most of the flying schools in South Africa and United States of America and can arrange for better payment terms per stage.