Examinations

Important Notices:

  • Kindly note that the turnaround email response time is a minimum of 3 working days.

About the Examination Department

Examination functions include designing written examinations, reviewing, evaluating and marking written tests, administering oral examinations of different specialities, as require, administering flight and simulator tests, administering practical tests, coordinating aspects related to medical examinations and the issuance of medical assessments, administering language proficiency examinations, participating in committees or advisory groups and approval of foreign training.

General Examination Information

Regulatory Matters

Study Material

Additional Study Material General Radio

  • AIC 40.2
  • AIC 41.3
  • AIC 41.5
  • AIC 41.6
  • AIC 41.8
  • AIC 42.1
  • AIC 44.1
  • FAA-H-8083-25A
  • NZCAA Wake turbulence GAP

Additional Study Material IR

  • AIC 40.12
  • AIC 42.2
  • AIC 43.1
  • AirbusSafetyLib_-FLT_OPS-APPR-SEQ01
  • DGAC Stabilised approached good practice guide
  • FAA AC 61-134
  • FAA-H-8083-15B
  • FAA-H-8083-16
  • FAA-H-8083-25A
  • NZCAA Wake turbulence GAP
  • South African Flight Instructors Training Procedures (proposed version)

CPL and ATPL theoretical knowledge examinations study material references

See Appendix 2.0 B to SA-CATS 61, Airline Transport Pilot Licence syllabus

Aluminium sheet metal structures

  • AC43-.13-1B Chapter 4, 5, 6 and 7

  • AC65-9A  Chapter 6, 7 and 12

  • and AC65-15 Chapter 1 and 5

CATS and CARS

  • PART 24, 44, 94, 96 and 66 Sub part 4

Gas Turbine

  • FAA-H-8083-32 AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN HANDBOOK-POWERPLANT VOLUME 1, Chapter 1 and 5.

  • FAA-H-8083-32 AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN HANDBOOK-POWERPLANT VOLUME 2, Chapter 6

  • TURBOMECA GAS TURBINE GENERAL CHAPTER 1

Airframe General

  • AC65-15, Chapter 1, 2, 5 and 8

  • AC65-9, Chapter 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6

  • AC43.13-1B, Chapter 1, 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11

Piston engine, propeller and fuel system answer sheet

  • AC65.12 Chapter 1, 3 and 10

  • FAA-H-8083-32 Powerplant Volume 1 Chapter 1

  • FAA-H-8083-32 Powerplant Volume 2 Chapter 2, 6 and 7

Rotorcraft

  • AC65-15 Chapter 2

  • Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook-Airframe volume 2 Chapter 1 and 2.

Wood, Fabric and Welded structures

  • AC43.13-1B Chapter 1, 2 and 4

  • AC65-15 Chapter 3, 4, 5 and 6  

Avionics Instrument and Electrical

  • FAA-H-8083-31A Maintenance Technician Handbook – Volume 1   – Chapter 9

  • FAA-H-8083-31A Maintenance Technician Handbook – Volume 2   – Chapter 10

  • AC43.13-1B CHAPTER 11

Composites

  • FAA-H-8083-31 CHAPTER 7

Gyrocraft

  • FAA’s AC43

The examination syllabus is contained in Appendix 1.5 to SA-CATS-FCL 61. The following publications have been used as reference materials when compiling the question bank:

  • AIP
  • AIC 41.3
  • AIC 42-1
  • AIC 20.2
  • ICAO DOC 9432
  • ICAO DOC 4444
  • The Pilot’s Radio Handbook – Dietlind Lempp
  • Restricted Radio Licence for fixed-wing aircraft pilots – compiled by Dylan Kemlo

  • Refer to Appendix 1.0 to document SA-CATS 61 for the Combined syllabus of theoretical knowledge for the Private Pilot licence (Aeroplane) and (Helicopter).
  • Click here for PPL theoretical knowledge examinations study material references
  • PPL Meteorology and Flight Performance & Planning examination manuals: FPLAN(A),  FPLA(H), and PPL_MET

  • FAA-H-8083-31A Maintenance Technician Handbook – Volume 1 – Chapter 9
  • FAA-H-8083-31A Maintenance Technician Handbook – Volume 2 – Chapter 10
  • AC65-15 Chapter 3, 4, 5 and 6

Please refer to:

  • FAA AC43

Please note that an X in the right hand column(s) under a category corresponds to the entire block or list of items in the left hand column that needs to be learnt for the applicable row. As an example below, the X corresponds to all the mentioned items of Part 12 and not only item 12.02.3.

PART 12: AVIATION ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS

  

12.02.1

12.02.2

12.02.3

12.02.4

12.04.1

12.04.4

Notification of accidents

Notification of incidents

Notification of accidents and incidents outside the Republic

Particulars of notification

Guarding of aircraft involved in accident

Interference with objects and marks at scene of accident




X




X

Out-station Examinations

Please note the following venue updates

Mosselbay/George venue:
Premier Express Inn
123 York Street
George

Port Elizabeth venue:
Town Lodge
Cnr of Beach and Lodge Roads
Summerstrand
Port Elizabeth

Examination Centres take note

Please note that exams at SACAA and all Designated/Accredited centres will only take place during weekdays from 08:00am to 16:00 and that the PEXO system will be off during public holidays.  Visit the Notices section to read more.

Examinations on Maintenance Days

Please note that no examinations should take place on system maintenance days and that the SACAA will not provide support for ATO/Designated centres on maintenance day. Exams that were not able to be completed due to technical challenges on such dates will not be reset and the result will be considered valid.  The onus will then be on the ATO to ensure that such examinations will be re-written.  Maintenance days are published on this page, under Examination Bookings .  Your cooperation will be appreciated.

Outstation Examination Bookings

Please remember to check confirmations on the website for outstation bookings.

Bring your original licence with you and report at the venue 45 minute before.

It is your own responsibility to track your attempts (7 / 60 days).

To view the 2024 outstation examination dates, click here.
To view the 2025 outstation examination dates, click here.

Examination schedules

Click here to view the examination schedules.

Documents to present at Examination Centre

Candidates should be present at the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the schedule time for the commencement of each examination paper, with the following documents:

Written/Online examinations

  1. Original pilot license, and
  2. Confirmation of booking form and payment, in a case where a fax or email was send proof thereof.

Examination Venues

Click here to see examination venues

Accredited Examination Centres

Online Testing Centres

Click here to see the Approved Centres for Online Theoretical Knowledge Examinations.

Part 62 approved examination centres

Click here o see the list of approved centres.

Procedure Manual 

Click here to access the Procedure Manual for Accredited or Designated Examinations Centres and Invigilation Rules at SACAA Accredited Test Centres

Code of Practice/Contduct for SACAA Certified Invigilators

Kindly note that all Invigilators will be required to sign a Code of Conduct. The following Information as stipulated in the Procedure Manual and should be submitted to SACAA before the 30th October 2021. Also see Technical Guidance Material of Examination and Invigilation Rules at SACAA Accredited Test Centres.

Failing to submit this signed Code of Conduction will lead to revocation of the the Invigilator certificate, as per signed Service Level Agreement (SLA) and Procedure Manual (Refer to point 9 of the Procedure Manual – INVIGILATOR TRAINING) which states:

Invigilator must be attached to or be employed by a specific examination centre. Anyone who wants to be a SACAA invigilator shall provide the following documents before being accepted for training:

  1. Be in possession of Grade 12/Matric Certificate.
  2. Not have a criminal record (submit police records).
  3. Invigilators must sign a code of conduct.
Invigilator Training Calendar 2024

Documentation to be familiarised with (available on the website):

  • Training Guidance Manual (TGM)
  • Procedure Manual for Accredited / Designated Examinations Centres & Invigilation Rules at SACAA Accredited Test Centres
  • Code of Practice

Anyone who wants to be a SACAA invigilator shall submit the following 3 documents to Faith Mhlambi (Mhlambif@caa.co.za) Prior to training:

  1. South African Identity documents or Work Permit for foreigners (Naturalised Citizens).
  2. Submit Police Clearance from the SAPS (Not have a criminal record).
    • Candidate shall not have been, after 1 April 1994, convicted of a criminal offence for which he or she was sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding 12 months, without the option of a fine.
    • Kindly note that we will not accept any “ extract from the SAPS database”.
  3. Invigilators must sign a Code of Practice/Conduct.

2024 Invigilator Training Schedule:

Time – (09:50 for) 10:00 to 13:00
Platform – Microsoft Teams

Booking Links

All bookings must be made using the links below, of your preference:

Date

Training Registration Link

05 April 2024

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/b87872db-cfdf-4b48-89b0-97ed5e141201@fcb5f168-07c2-4bb9-82d9-3f15c0bd0d20

02 August 2024

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/27dd9a23-5a41-4f7e-a83f-3f9b77c15a2c@fcb5f168-07c2-4bb9-82d9-3f15c0bd0d20

06 December 2024

https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4d2ecd25-b1da-4499-842b-5113d17877b5@fcb5f168-07c2-4bb9-82d9-3f15c0bd0d20

Interaction with presenters:

  1. Candidates will be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide input by using the chat facility, or “hand up” during each presentation for the Q&A session.
  2. The presenter will address and answer any questions after each presentation.

Terms and conditions:

  • Examinations sections has scheduled the training on an online platform and requires you to attend the entire session.
    • Please ensure you have this online platform for this training purpose.
    • It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure stable internet connection for the entire duration of the session.
    • Training session is limited to 100 delegates.
    • Candidates are required to login at least 10 mins (09:50) prior to the beginning of the training session.
  • Candidates are required to attend the training session in full.
    • SACAA will not accept screen shots, photos or email as proof of attendance.

Examination Bookings

Availability 

Bookings are subject to availability, note that bookings must be made at least a week in advance (7 calendar days), excluding maintenance dates.

Booking Options

Please note: Only email bookings will be accepted

Download and complete Form CA 61-91, EFT requisite amount, email completed form and proof of payment. (Bank details and email address given on Form CA 61-91).

Automated Response System

When sending emails to exams@caa.co.za or written@caa.co.za kindly make sure that you get an automated response with a case number such as  CAS -……….-…………

PEXO Exam System Maintenance Dates, 2024

Aviation Training Organisations and Examination centres – please note of SACAA 2022 Pexo exam system Maintenance dates. No examinations must be scheduled on the below dates:

  • 25 October 2024
  • 29 November 2024
PEXO Exam System Maintenance Dates, 2025

Aviation Training Organisations and Examination centres – please note of SACAA 2022 Pexo exam system Maintenance dates. No examinations must be scheduled on the below dates:

  • 28 February 2025
  • 23 May 2025
  • 25 July 2025
  • 22 August 2025
  • 24 October 2025
  • 21 November 2025
Public Holidays 2024

Please note that no examinations will take place on public holidays or weekends.

  • 24 September – Heritage Day
  • 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
Public Holidays 2025

Please note that no examinations will take place on public holidays or weekends.

  • 1 January – New Year’s Day
  • 21 March – Human Rights Day
  • 18 April – Good Friday
  • 20 April – Easter Sunday
  • 21 April – Family Day/Easter Monday
  • 27 April – Freedom Day (Sunday)
  • 28 April – Freedom Day
  • 01 May – Worker’s Day
  • 16 June – Youth Day
  • 09 August – National Women’s Day
  • 24 September – Heritage Day
  • 16 December – Day of Reconciliation

Examination Centre Accreditation​

Application for accreditation as a testing centre:

Examination Fees

​​Please visit the Fees page to view Examination Fees.

Urgent Notices

Issuance of Licence Numbers and Administration of Parts 64 66 and 71 Examinations

This Notice serves to address the SACAA Examinations booking of Part 66 (Aircraft Maintenance Engineers), Part 64 (Cabin Crew) and Part 71 (Remote Pilot Certificate) examinations at the SACAA Headquarters and SACAA Outstations (Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay) and at ATOs or DTOs (if applicable).  To read the notice, click here.

General Notice # PEL-2023/ATO 003 – Administration of Part 62 Examinations by DTOs

This Notice is applicable to Declared Training Organisations (DTO’s) approved/intending to be approved in terms of Part 141, Subpart 8 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, as amended.  Click here to read the notice.

General Notice # PEL-2023/002 – ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements

This notice provides an overview of language proficiency testing in the RSA.  To read the notice, click here.

Administration of AME Aircraft Type Courses by the SACAA

Click here to read General Notice# PEL-2023/ATO 001 relating to the administration of AME Aircraft Type Courses.

Revision of DFE Oversight Procedure and Updating of TGM for Examiners and Oversight

This General Notice informs DFEs of specific changes to existing oversight procedures and the supporting technical guidance material.  Open the attachment to read more.

General Exemption – Administration of AME Theoretical Examinations by ATO

Please open the attachment to read a General Exemption Relating to the Administration of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Theoretical Examinations by Aviation Training Organisations (ATO)

CPL and ATPL Theoretical Knowledge Examination – implementation of a new system

Click on the attachment to see AIC Series C 009-2014 dated 2014-04-30, Implementation of a new system for CPL and ATPL Theoretical Knowledge Examination.

Night Rating Examination

The CAA online Night Rating examination will only be compulsory as of 1 June 2011. An AIC has been drafted to this effect but will only be published in March 2011. Until the 1st of June 2011, to satisfy the requirements of CAR 61.14.1(1)(c), ATOs may use EITHER their own internal examinations OR the CAA online examination which is available at all approved test centres.

ATPL (H) – Flight planning & Performance Examination 

This serves as an early warning notice to all ATPL (H) examination candidates: It is the intention of the SACAA to implement a specific ATPL(H) Flight planning & Performance examination based on the Sikorsky S-92 to replace the current examination based on the B747. This examination will be available for optional use as of 1 May 2011 but will be compulsory as of 1 January 2012. Candidates for the ATPL(H) may still elect to do the ATPL (A) Flight planning & performance examination (based on B747) until 31 December 2011. Once a candidate has applied to write the ATPL (H) Flight planning & Performance examination, he/she will not be permitted to revert to the ATPL (A) Flight planning & Performance examination.

Flight Instructor Theoretical Knowledge Examinations

Candidates for the Grade III flight Instructor Theoretical Knowledge Examinations are reminded of the contents of SA-CATS FCL 61 Appendix 13.0 item 4.1 regarding ICAO Annex 1 “Theory of instruction” requirements for flight instructors.  The “Theory of instruction” aspects, as required by ICAO, are included in the “Principles of flight and flight instruction” examination database and the number of questions on these aspects will be steadily increased until they comprise 50% of the examination paper.  

CPL, IR and ATPL examinations

The CATS have been amended with respect to theoretical knowledge requirements (syllabi) for Pilot licences and ratings.  Please find the correct Appendixes by clicking on this link.

Important Examination Information – Examination Centres take note!

The Exam section wishes to share some of the key business decisions taken in order to optimally service all Designated/Accredited Exams Centres. In order to ensure that disruption and queries during exams are immediately attended to by examination SACAA personnel, exams at SACAA and all Designated/Accredited centres will only take place during weekdays from 08:00am to 16:00.Note that Exams PEXO system will be off during public holidays and weekends since there won’t be any personnel and technical support from SACAA. The industry is required to check the SACAA website onwww.caa.co.za for future updates.

Communication in relation to the above must be directed to Manager: Examinations; Paul Phooko at: (011) 545 1610 or 077 607 6405.

Examinations on Maintenance Days

Please note that no examinations should take place on system maintenance days and that the SACAA will not provide support for ATO/Designated centres on maintenance day. Exams that were not able to be completed due to technical challenges on such dates will not be reset and the result will be considered valid.  The onus will then be on the ATO to ensure that such examinations will be re-written.  Maintenance days are published on the SACAA website.  Your cooperation will be appreciated.

Requirements Relating to the practical assessment of candidates for the issuance of a PARTAC approval

Please open the attachment to find out more.

Procedure for Cabin Crew Licence Applicants

Please open the attachment to read more.

Submission of Initial Cabin Crew Skills Test Reports After Writing the SACAA Cabin Crew Exam

Please open the attachment below to find out more about the submission of Initial Cabin Crew Skills Test Reports after writing the SACAA Cabin Crew exam,

Contesting of SACAA Flight Crew Examination Outcomes

There has been an increasing trend of unsuccessful candidates contesting the outcome of their examinations. More often than not, such disputes come to the fore when the candidate is close to his/her 18 months’ timeframe for clearing all examinations.   To find out more about this matter, please open the attachment.

Withdrawal of concession – changes to examinations dates/subjects

A concession was previously made to clients to the effect that they did not have to notify SACAA 5 working days before examinations, when changing examination dates/subjects.  Unfortunately, this concession was severely abused, and as a result it is withdrawn with immediate effect.
The 5-day rule, as per SA CATS 61.01.10 paragraphs 2 (f) and (g), is back in place.

Forms

Validity of Licensing Forms Submitted to the SACAA

Users of SACAA published Licensing forms as listed on the SACAA website are to ensure that the latest version of the form is submitted to Licensing for processing. Please check the date on the bottom of the form.

Forms submitted for processing that have a version that pre-dates the form listed on the CAA website by 30 days or more or has a date that is in excess of 30 days or more of the date of the form listed on the CAA website will be rejected for processing.

Personnel Licensing Forms

CategoryTitleDescriptionFile
Part 61 Forms – ExaminationsCA 61-01.10Transfer of participant to another test centreDownload 80 kb
Part 61 Forms – ExaminationsCA 61-91Exam ApplicationDownload 335 kb
Part 61 Forms – ExaminationsCA 61-94Remark of examinationsDownload 121 kb