Licensed Pilot
Programme
Structured coaching from Basic Licence to Sport Licence and beyond. Thermalling, XC foundations, advanced weather analysis — with deliberate progression, not just logged hours.
Who this programme is for
Recent paragliding graduates looking to build airtime with structure. Pilots who want to fly more frequently and more confidently. Pilots new to the Western Cape who need to learn the sites, the conditions, and the community. Anyone who has a Basic Licence but feels their progression has stalled.
If you find yourself flying only in obviously benign conditions, avoiding thermic days, or feeling intimidated by new sites and cliff launches — this programme gives you the structured next step rather than unsupervised practice that can reinforce the wrong habits.
Winter (Apr–Sep)
Peak student training season — ideal for thermal flying technique, mountain sites, and landing precision alongside active training days.
Summer (Oct–Mar)
Thermal-heaven in the Western Cape. XC skill building for those ready for it, or dune site flying for pilots still consolidating basics.
Good fit
- Recent paragliding graduates
- Pilots wanting more airtime and structure
- Pilots new to the Western Cape
- SAHPA Basic Licence holders
- Pilots working toward Sport Licence
Start with the Beginner Course instead
- Complete newcomers to paragliding
- No current SAHPA licence
- Never flown solo before
How the programme is structured
There is no fixed number of days. Progression is skill-based — each stage builds on the last and sessions are booked when suitable conditions align with your availability.
Consolidating Basic Skills
Active kiting in stronger conditions, consistent forward and reverse launch, landing precision, and building situational awareness at new sites.
- Kiting in crosswind and stronger conditions
- Landing accuracy — target zones and approach planning
- Flying new sites safely and independently
- Understanding site briefings and hazard assessment
Thermalling & Soaring
Working lift — identifying and centring thermals, ridge soaring, reading air behaviour, and transitioning between thermal and laminar flying.
- Thermal identification and entry technique
- Centring and climbing efficiently
- Ridge soaring at Signal Hill, Chapmans Peak, and beyond
- Weather pattern reading for thermal potential
Sport Licence Preparation
Consolidating the full skill set required for the SAHPA Sport Licence assessment — advanced site and weather decision-making, XC introduction, and exam preparation.
- SAHPA Sport Licence skills assessment preparation
- Written exam preparation
- Cross-country introduction and route basics
- Reserve deployment briefing and SIV concepts
Why deliberate coaching matters after the beginner course
Most pilots stall after the beginner course. They fly when the weather is obviously good, avoid anything that looks thermic, and gradually lose the muscle memory and judgement they built during training. This is normal — but it’s also a plateau that costs years of flying time.
The Licensed Pilot Programme is designed to break that plateau deliberately. Sessions are planned around specific skill gaps, not just available days. Every flight has a debrief. Progression is tracked, not assumed.
Ria has instructed at every level of SAHPA licensing. This programme draws on the same systematic approach that has produced independently licensed pilots who go on to fly XC and competition — not just log hours.
Your instructor
Ria Moothilal flies competition paragliding, has accumulated 2,000+ flights across Cape Town and Western Cape sites, and holds both Grade B and Grade C instructor qualifications. She built a custom automated forecasting system used by the Cape Town flying community — the same weather knowledge is directly applicable to coaching pilots on reading conditions in the air.
As a SACAA Declared Training Organisation, Air School operates at the highest civilian aviation training standard in South Africa. You are working with verified credentials, not enthusiasm.
What’s included
What this programme is not
Not a full-time, every-weekend-with-an-instructor programme. Sessions are weather-dependent and booked around suitable conditions and your availability.
Not a “tell you where to fly every day” service. The daily forecast does that — it summarises flying options each morning. This programme builds your ability to interpret it yourself.
Not a Sport Licence guarantee. Ria will advise on how to become a competent pilot ready for the Sport Licence assessment, but the licence itself depends on you meeting the SAHPA skill and flight requirements.
Not an SIV course. A full SIV course over water is strongly encouraged as a separate step — it ticks key Sport Licence requirements and gives you experience that ground coaching cannot replicate.
Pricing
R8.30 per day — cancel anytime
Supervision rate: R265/hr
- Monthly subscription — no lock-in
- All year round (winter and summer)
- Cancel whenever you want
If you haven’t done the beginner course yet — start there. R12,500 with all gear, site fees, transport and SAHPA registration included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Basic Licence to join this programme?
Yes. The Licensed Pilot Programme is designed for pilots who have already completed a beginner course and hold — or are working towards — a SAHPA Basic Licence. If you're a beginner, the right starting point is the Beginner Course.
How is this different from just flying on my own?
Self-guided practice after the beginner course is valuable, but unsupervised flying can reinforce bad habits or miss critical safety gaps. This programme gives you structured debriefs, goal-setting, and deliberate skill-building rather than accumulated hours without a framework.
Can I join if I learned to fly elsewhere?
Yes. Pilots trained at other schools are welcome. An initial session will assess your current skill level and establish a progression plan from there.
How long does it take to get a Sport Licence?
SAHPA Sport Licence requirements include a minimum number of logged flights, a skills assessment, and a written exam. The time required depends entirely on your starting point, available flying days, and how quickly you progress the required skills. For most active students, several months of consistent flying is realistic.
What is the Sport Licence required for?
A SAHPA Sport Licence allows you to fly independently at any SAHPA-registered site in South Africa without requiring direct supervision. It is also a prerequisite for flying at higher-graded sites and for competition entry.
Is there a fixed timetable or schedule?
No. Sessions are booked based on suitable weather conditions and your availability. Paragliding is weather-dependent — training is always tied to appropriate flying conditions, not a calendar.
What happens if I want to fly cross-country?
XC flying is introduced progressively as your skills develop. Initial sessions focus on site-specific thermalling and controlled soaring. XC technique, route planning, and SIV concepts are introduced when your foundation is solid enough to build on.
Ready to fly?
Your first solo flight is three sessions away. The beginner course is available year-round — gear, sites, and SAHPA registration all included.
Or call +27 78 095 8136