South Africa's Excellentia Airline Academy Launches Sponsored Flight Instructor Program in 2026

South Africa – Flight training group Excellentia Airline Academy has launched a sponsored Flight Instructor Career Development Programme for South African Commercial Pilot Licence holders with instrument ratings, offering instructor-rating training and potential employment following successful completion. The programme is intended to increase Excellentia’s instructor capacity as its student numbers and aircraft fleet expand across Lanseria International and Grand Central airports.

• Successful applicants will receive sponsored training towards a South African Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating and will be considered for employment as instructors after completing the programme.
• Minimum requirements include:
  • Valid South African CPL and Instrument Rating
  • Professional, disciplined, and safety-focused
  • Strong English language and communication skills
  • Passion for aviation and continuous learning
• Excellentia states that employed graduates will gain access to regular flying, mentorship and career-development support while accumulating flight experience. Employment remains conditional on successful programme completion and any applicable licensing, assessment and company-selection requirements.
• The academy’s standard Flight Instructor Rating course lasts approximately three months and comprises full-time theoretical instruction, two examinations, 20 hours of flight training and five hours of simulator training. Completion leads to a Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating, subject to South African Civil Aviation Authority requirements.
• Excellentia operates through two wholly owned flight schools holding three SACAA ATO certificates: Skyhawk Aviation holds SACAA/1147/ATO and SACAA/1673/ATO, while Aeronav Academy holds SACAA/1110/ATO. The organisations conduct training from Grand Central and Lanseria International airports.
• Excellentia’s training portfolio includes Private Pilot Licence, Night Rating, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, Commercial Pilot Licence and Flight Instructor Rating courses, alongside hour building, ground school and simulator training.
• The group reports operating nearly 30 aircraft, including Cessna 172s, Piper Archers, Piper Seneca IIIs, Diamond DA20-C1s, Diamond DA42 Twin Stars and Sling NGT trainers.
• Its training equipment also includes an ALSIM ALX-65 device used for instrument refresher, ACAS, GNSS/RNAV, Crew Resource Management and Multi-Crew Cooperation training.
• AFM previously reported that Excellentia had approximately 100 students in training in July 2026 and had established an internal “Train the Trainers” pathway to move newly qualified commercial pilots into instructor roles.
• AFM also reported that Excellentia was refurbishing 12 existing Cessna 172s and expected ten additional Sling NGT deliveries as part of its fleet-modernisation programme.

Source: Excellentia Airline Academy