Become a pilot

LEARNING to fly is a dream for many people, but remains a fantasy for most because the process seems to be too arduous. Would-be pilots have to survive rigorous training because, once qualified, they have the enormous responsibility of keeping their passengers safe.

Johan Schoeman, airline FlySafair’s manager of flight safety, says a solid base of theory and practice is required to become a pilot.

But there is a shortage of qualified and experienced pilots in South Africa, so once you’ve been given your wings, you are likely to be much in demand.

On top of the tough formal qualifications, which include a private pilot’s licence, a commercial pilot’s licence, an instrument rating and an airline transport pilot licence, candidates have to consider other issues, such as the enormous cost of training.

Schoeman has the following tips and warnings:

It is estimated that training to become a pilot costs about R1-million. One way to fund this is to join the South African Air Force to get your licence, before moving to the commercial sector;

Because the training is so tough, you need to be committed to the process, which means you have to be passionate about flying. Schoeman says: “It’s one of those industries that if you are not passionate, the obstacles in your path will cure you of your ambition”; and

It is a career that ensures you keep on learning. “It’s all worth it in the end. As a pilot, you never stop learning, and no matter what is going on in your life — stress, family issues, and what not — when your wheels leave the tarmac, you leave all of that behind for the freedom of the sky. It’s a great feeling,” Schoeman says. —