DOCUMENT SA-CATS 61.01.

10

THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATIONS

Examination procedure for candidates: PPL, CPL, ATPL, Night Rating, Instrument Rating, Flight
Instructor Rating, Turbine-engine Aeroplane Flight Instructor Endorsement and Radiotelephony
Operator’s Certificate.

(1) General Information

(a) A candidate that is required by the Regulations to pass any examination conducted by the Authority
towards the issue, re-issue, validation or conversion of a flight crew licence or rating or towards a
Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate, shall demonstrate a level of knowledge appropriate to the
privileges of the particular licence, rating or certificate by passing theoretical knowledge
examinations in accordance with the applicable syllabi contained in SA-CATS 61 and Appendices
as follows -
(i) For a PPL: Appendix 1.0
(ii) For a Night Rating: SA-CATS 61.10.1
(iii) For a Restricted Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate: Appendix 1.5
(iv) For a General Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate: Appendix 1.5 A
(v) For a CPL: Appendix 2.0 A
(vi) For an ATPL: Appendix 2.0 B
(vii) For an Instrument Rating (IR): Appendix 2.0 C
(viii) For a Grade III Flight Instructor’s Rating (FI): Appendix 13.0
(ix) For a Turbine Instructor Rating endorsement Appendix 13.3
(b) Questions appropriate to the syllabi will be held in a CAA Central Question Bank. The
examinations will be provided in English only, using abbreviations where applicable. A list of
common abbreviations that may be used in the examinations can be found in Part 1 of the
Regulations.
(c) Questions shall normally be presented in multiple-choice format and will generally have three or
four choices. Variations such as True/ False, Yes/ No, Multiple-response and Fill-in-the-Blanks
questions may also be used where appropriate.
(d) Marks will not be deducted for incorrect selection.
(e) The flight crew examinations conducted by the Authority are offered at the locations below as
follows -
(i) Online examinations at the offices of the SACAA:
All examinations.
(ii) Online examinations at Accredited Examination Centres:
PPL, PPL validation, Night Rating, Restricted Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate and
Grade III Flight Instructor Rating examinations.
(iii) Out-station (Written) examinations as per published schedule:
CPL, ATPL, Instrument Rating (Operational Procedures), General Radiotelephony
Operator’s Certificate, Turbine Instructor Rating endorsement and validation and conversion
examinations.
(iv) Approved Part 141 ATO’s:
An Authority approved examination in South African Air Law towards the validation of a
foreign PPL without an Instrument Rating.
(f) Details of scheduled Out-station (Hand written) examination dates and venues, as well as additional
examination protocols can be found on the SACAA website www.caa.co.za and are published in the
AIC referred to in CAR 61.01.10.
(g) An Out-station (Written) examination is compiled by the same electronic system, using identical
protocols to that of an Online examination, but allows for completion on an answer sheet, rather
than the direct recording of answers into a computer assessment, as in the case of an online
examination.

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(2) Theoretical Knowledge Examination Bookings and Cancellations: SACAA Offices and Out-
station Venues.

(a) Upon application, a candidate should submit the appropriate application form, available on the CAA
website and at the offices of the SACAA. All bookings are made on a first come, first served basis.
(b) A candidate should indicate on the application form the subject or subjects and the date on which
he or she wishes to sit the examination or examinations.
(c) Examination fees are payable directly to the CAA and payment must be submitted with the
application form, where applicable. The CAA website should be consulted to obtain details of
acceptable payment methods. Details of fees may be found in Part 187 of the Regulations.
(d) A booking will not be confirmed unless all the requirements are met. Once a booking for an online
examination has been made, a candidate will receive an examination booking confirmation.
(e) In any case where an examination candidate has not received confirmation of a booking, it is his or
her responsibility to confirm that the booking has been successful.
(f) No online examination booking may be changed in the week prior to the examination.
(g) A cancellation will only qualify for a credit of the examination fee if received in writing by the
Examination office at least five working days before the examination date. For these purposes, a
working day means a weekday from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and an email or
fax shall qualify as acceptable communication. Only under exceptional circumstances and upon
written application, will the Director consider refunding examination fees.
(h) In the case of Out-station (written) examinations, the following additional requirements shall be
complied with -
(i) A candidate shall indicate on the application form the preferred venue choice in addition to
the date on which he or she wishes to sit the examination or examinations. The published
schedule referred to in paragraph (1)(f) above should be consulted.
(ii) A candidate making a booking for an Out-station (written) examination shall consult the
SACAA website to confirm the booking.
(iii) The Examination section will contact an applicant should there be any significant changes to
an examination schedule. In the case of a venue being fully booked an alternative will be
offered.
(iv) The time between the closing date for applications and an examination sitting is two weeks.
(v) The Director reserves the right to change any venue to satisfy demand and does not
guarantee a candidate a specific venue or examination date.
(vi) A candidate shall, on initial application, be allowed to book in advance for the entire series
of examinations in a sitting as per the published schedule. A candidate shall also have the
privilege of booking for all rewrites in a subsequent sitting after having been notified of his or
her results.

(3) Theoretical Knowledge Examination Bookings and cancellations: Accredited Examination

Centres

(a) Examination fees are payable directly to the CAA Accredited Examination Centres. Details of fees
may be found in Part 187 of the Regulations.
(b) Under exceptional circumstances and upon written application, the Director may allow a candidate
to transfer to an alternate venue.
(c) The responsibilities of an invigilator at an Accredited Examination Centre are detailed in the
contractual agreement with the Director.

(4) Attendance at the Examination

(a) A candidate should be present at the examination centre at least 45 minutes before the scheduled
time of the commencement of each examination paper, with the following documents –
(i) An acceptable form of identification (South African Identity document or passport), as well
as the Flight Crew Licence referred to in CAR 61.01.10 (2). No photocopies of required
documents will be accepted.
(ii) Confirmation of booking in the case of an online examination at the offices of the SACAA .

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 (iii) In the case of an initial writing of a subject, proof of having undergone the required
knowledge instruction signed by the Chief Ground Instructor or his designee of a Part 141
approved training organisation.
(b) A candidate who fails to provide the documents referred to in paragraph (4)(a) above or to be
present at the required time will not be permitted to take the examination and will forfeit the fee paid
for that subject.
(c) A candidate may only enter the examination room with the permission of the invigilating official and
only during the 10 minutes preceding the start of the examinations. He or she may not remain in the
room after the end of the examination period.
(d) Personal belongings such as bags, briefcases, pencil cases and mobile telephones shall not be
taken into the examination room, but may be locked in a storage facility, if provided by the
Authority, at the risk of the candidate. Any personal belongings shall be removed if left unattended
outside the examination room.
(e) Whilst every attempt is made to ensure reasonable comfort in examination rooms, the Director
cannot be held responsible for extraneous noise or for any breakdown or fluctuation in ventilation,
air conditioning or lighting in examination centres.
(f) Candidates should be aware that smoking in examination venues is prohibited in terms of the
Tobacco Products Control Act (Act 83 of 1993).
(g) Failure to comply with these requirements will result in a candidate being barred from writing during
that particular examination session.

(5) Materials for the Examination

(a) When necessary, the required reference books, manuals, supplements, tables or other
documentation will be supplied to a candidate. These aids shall not be marked in any way, except
for the documentation referred to in paragraph (5)(b) below.
(b) The restriction in paragraph (5)(a) above does not apply to manuals that are specifically supplied
for use in answering questions relating to graph and Mass & Balance calculations. Candidates shall
not deface such graphs or mark them in such a manner so as to render them unusable for future
examinees.
(c) A candidate is required to provide himself or herself with all the necessary drawing and calculating
instruments. This includes dividers, protractors, parallel rules, slide rules and navigational
computers.
(d) Calculators are allowed in the examinations, subject to the following conditions -
(i) Calculators shall be non-programmable, non-alphanumeric and preferably of a scientific
type;
(ii) No Navmaster calculators are allowed;
(iii) If a candidate wishes to use an electronic calculator and is unsure whether it complies with
the requirements of paragraph (5)(d)(i) above, written approval for the use of such calculator
must be requested from the CAA Examination Section at least 30 days before the
examination date.
(iv) An invigilator or enforcement officer may prohibit the use of a calculator in an examination if
reasonable doubt exists as to its acceptability.
(e) No pencil boxes, containers or instrument cases are permitted on tables.
(f) The use of slide rules or instruments containing printed information on critical point, point of no
return, distance to the horizon, convergence, conversion angle, departure, dlat, dlong, conversion
factors and similar calculations is not permitted.
(g) No personal notepaper or notes in any form (including electronic data and handwritten notes on
objects or body parts) containing any examination-related information may be brought into an
examination room.
(h) No documents, exam aids or rough working paper supplied by the Authority shall be removed from
the examination facility. It is mandatory to hand such items back to the Authority immediately after
completion of each examination attempt.

(6) Examination Briefing

(a) Before the start of an examination, the invigilating official will give a briefing regarding the
examination.

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(b) Rules which will be applied to the conduct of examinations and which will be covered during the
briefing are as follows -
(i) A candidate is not allowed to use any loose paper other than that provided at the
examination. All papers issued and documents provided by the Examination Centre are to
be returned to the invigilating official on completion of every examination attempt. No
personal notes or unauthorized documents of any nature may be retained by a candidate
during an examination.
(ii) Answer sheets, where applicable, must be completed in pencil.
(iii) A candidate must ensure that all required answers have been entered onto his or her
answer sheet or computer assessment by the end of the examination. A candidate that fails
to do this will not be given any extra time.
(iv) Silence is to be observed in the examination room at all times. Electronic alarms and key
rings are not permitted.
(v) All electronic devices must be switched off and left in a candidate’s personal belongings.
(vi) If a candidate wishes to speak to an Invigilating official, he or she should remain seated and
raise his or her hand. It should be noted that the Invigilating official will consider only those
questions from candidates that relate to the general conduct of the examinations and he or
she will not enter into discussion on the interpretation of words or questions contained in the
examination papers.
(vii) A candidate may leave the room with the permission of the invigilating official for urgent
physiological reasons or if he or she finishes an examination before time, except during the
last 5 minutes before the end of any paper. A candidate is to stop work, put all writing
implements down when so directed and remain seated and quiet until all answer material
has been collected, as applicable.
(viii) Any candidate who attempts to remove examination material from the room without
authorization will be liable for disqualification from those examinations that have been taken
and may be subject to special procedures and supervision arrangements for future
examinations.
(ix) Any violation of an examination regulation is viewed as a serious offence by the Authority
and will result in enforcement action instituted against the transgressing candidate.

(7) Failure to comply with examination regulations

(a) By entering for an examination that is conducted by the Authority, a candidate agrees to comply
with all applicable Regulations as well as the rules contained in this Technical Standard.
(b) If a candidate contravenes any Regulation or rule, as referred to in paragraph (7)(a) above, such a
candidate subjects himself or herself to disqualification from future examinations for a period not
exceeding 36 months and shall be deemed to have failed the examination during which such
contravention occurred.
(c) If a candidate contravenes any of these Regulations or rules, he or she may be instructed to vacate
the examination room immediately by an invigilating official or enforcement officer. Failure to obey
such an instruction may result in the candidate being removed from the examination room.
(d) In case of a dispute regarding a decision by an invigilator or enforcement officer or the
interpretation of examination Regulation or rules during an examination session, the decision of the
invigilating official or enforcement officer shall prevail. A decision taken by an invigilator or
enforcement officer in this regard is appealable to the Director upon written application by an
affected candidate.
(e) In addition to the offences listed in Part 185 of the Regulations and prohibited conduct referred to
elsewhere in this Technical Standard, the following examination-related actions are specifically
defined as offences –
(i) Any dishonest or fraudulent behavior, including cheating, other than that referred to in
paragraph (e)(ii) to (e)(xi), relating to the conduct of an examination;
(ii) Using any electronic recording instrument (excluding an allowed calculator), camera,
communication device or any electronic device with a playback function during an
examination. This includes, but is not limited to, a mobile telephone, smart phone, iPad,
iPod, Mp3 player, pager and electronic game device;
(iii) For a candidate to have any object referred to in paragraph (7)(e)(ii) in his or her possession
during an examination, irrespective of whether the device is switched on or not.

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 (iv) Wearing any headgear or earphones during an examination without the written approval of
the Director, with the exception of a hearing aid worn for medical purposes;
(v) Passing any object to another candidate;
(vi) Communicating in any manner with another candidate;
(vii) Behaving in an inappropriate manner;
(viii) Tampering with or damaging any SACAA examination equipment;
(ix) Any unauthorized accessing, copying or storing of examination data from the official SACAA
examination database;
(x) Disobeying any lawful instruction of the examination invigilator or an enforcement officer;
(xi) Looking at the work of another candidate.

(8) Results

(a) Results will normally be available immediately after on-line examinations. Out-station (Written)
examination results will be posted on the CAA website.
(b) Candidates should not telephone the Examination section to request examination results, as results
will not be given over the telephone under any circumstances.
(c) The Director will not enter into discussion or correspondence with candidates on the subject
of their examination results, but candidates may apply for any paper to be remarked in terms of the
Regulations, with specific reference to paragraph (10) of this Technical Standard.

(9) Rewrite after failure

(a) A candidate may not apply to rewrite an examination until he or she has received the official result
notification.
(b) A candidate who has failed an examination conducted by the Authority for the issue, re-issue,
validation or conversion of a PPL, Night Rating or a Restricted Radiotelephony Operator’s
Certificate, as the case may be, may not rewrite the applicable examination subject within a period
of 7 calendar days;
(c) A candidate who has failed an examination conducted by the Authority for the issue, re-issue,
validation or conversion of a flight crew licence or rating other than those referred to in paragraph
(9)(b) above, or a General Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate, may not rewrite the applicable
examination subject –
(i) in the case of a first or second failure, within a period of 7 calendar days;
(ii) in the case of a third or subsequent failure, within a period of 2 calendar months;
(iii) in any case where a score of less than 50% was achieved, within a period of 2 calendar
months.
(d) If a score of less than 50% is achieved for a subject in conjunction with a third or subsequent failure
in that subject, the respective periods of 2 calendar months shall not be cumulative.
(e) In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Director, the period of 7 calendar days
referred to in paragraphs (9)(b) and (9)(c) above may be shortened, after written application by a
candidate and with the written approval of the Director.
(f) The period of 2 calendar months referred to in paragraph (9)(c) above is intended to assist
candidates to undergo remedial training before they rewrite a failed subject and shall be referred to
as a compulsory retraining period in this Technical Standard.
(g) The administrative official responsible for the scheduling of an examination, shall determine
whether a candidate qualifies for a rewrite of a failed subject, taking into account paragraphs (9)(b)
and (9)(c) above, before scheduling such a candidate for the examination concerned.
(h) The compulsory retraining period referred to above, shall not apply to candidates who hold credit
for four (4) or more examination subjects on 2016-06-30. This exception shall remain applicable to
such candidates as long as the credits held on that date remain valid. Candidates that qualify for
this exception shall nevertheless be subject to the waiting period of seven (7) calendar days
referred to in paragraph (9)(c)(i) for each failure of an examination subject.
(i) Once credit is held for an examination subject, a candidate may not re-sit the applicable
examination for any reason, including an attempt to obtain higher marks. Examinations that have
been passed may only be retaken when the credits previously achieved are no longer valid.

(10) Re-mark after failure

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(a) A candidate who fails an examination conducted by the Authority, may, within 30 days from the
date of notification of the examination results, apply in writing for a re-mark of the most recent
examination written in that subject.
(b) Candidates who fail with a score of 65% or above may request a re-mark.
(c) The application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee prescribed in Part 187.
(d) If the re-mark results in a pass of the examination concerned, the fee will be refunded.
(e) A candidate may not rewrite any examination subject in respect of which a remark has been
requested and for which he or she has not been notified of the official result. Failure to comply with
this condition will result in the premature rewrite being invalidated and the applicable examination
fee forfeited.

(11) Theoretical Knowledge Examination Pass Standards

(a) A candidate must complete all required PPL, CPL, ATPL or Grade III Flight Instructor Rating
examination subjects, as applicable, within a continuous period 18 months from the date of
achieving a first credit for such an examination. A credit for an examination is held for each
successful attempt.
(b) A pass in an examination paper will be awarded to a candidate achieving at least 75% of the marks
allocated to that paper.
(c) In the case of an applicant who is the holder of an SPL or a PPL on an integrated ATPL course, as
referred to in regulation 61.01.15 (2), the 18 month time limit for credits towards a licence is
calculated from the first pass in the subjects listed in paragraph 19 of this Technical Standard.
(d) The papers can be attempted in any order, with the following conditions:
(i) An examinee is assumed to be competent in all aspects of the theoretical knowledge
requirements of the licence used in accordance with CAR 61.01.10 (2). In the case of a
candidate that is on an integrated training course, as referred to in CAR 61.01.15 (2), he or
she shall be assumed to possess an overall standard of foundational knowledge at least
equal to that of a PPL candidate.
(ii) In support of the provisions of paragraph (11)(d)(i) above, an exam candidate may expect
questions requiring knowledge of subject matter not directly related to the subject being
written. This means, for example, that a question requiring PPL-level meteorology
knowledge may be asked in a CPL Flight Performance and Planning examination.
(e) The assessment grade of the examinations shall be such as to contribute to the satisfactory
verification that a candidate possesses a combination of skills, knowledge and attitudes required to
perform flight crew duties to the standard prescribed for the applicable licence.

(12) Failure to comply with Pass Standards

(a) A candidate who does not pass all of the required PPL, CPL, ATPL or Grade III Flight Instructor
Rating theoretical knowledge examinations, as applicable, within a continuous period of 18 months,
will be required to rewrite all applicable theoretical knowledge examinations as though for an initial
attempt.
(b) In the case of the respective theoretical knowledge examinations towards the Night Rating, --
Instrument Rating, Turbine Instructor Rating endorsement or either of the Radiotelephony
Operator’s Certificates, a candidate who has not passed the required examination within 18 months
from a first attempt shall be allowed to enter the applicable examination as for an initial attempt.
(c) The maximum period allowed within which a candidate shall pass all of the required theoretical
knowledge examinations is restricted to 18 months from the date of achieving a first credit for such
an examination , as indicated in paragraph (11)(a) and (12)(a) above.
(d) No candidate may voluntarily or pre-emptively terminate the current cycle of his or her 18 month
period in order to restart the examinations as though for an initial attempt.

(13) Validity period of theoretical knowledge examination credits

(a) In the case of a PPL, CPL, an Instrument Rating or a Grade III Flight Instructor Rating, the skills
test must be undergone within 36 months from the date of obtaining credit for all the required
examination paper or papers.

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(b) In the case of an ATPL (inclusive of an Instrument Rating), candidates who obtain credit for all the
required subjects towards the ATPL and Instrument Rating have 36 months to obtain an Instrument
Rating. The ATPL subjects will remain valid for a period of 60 months from the date of expiry of the
last Instrument Rating Revalidation Check.
(c) In the case of an ATPL (Helicopter) without an Instrument Rating, the ATPL subjects shall remain
valid for a period of 60 months from the date of having passed the last ATPL examination.
(d) Candidates who obtained a pass at ATPL level under the provisions of the Air Navigation
Regulations of 1976 and who have maintained an Instrument Rating are afforded the same
privilege as detailed in paragraph (13)(b) above.

(14) Failure to obtain PPL, CPL, ATPL, Instrument Rating or Flight Instructor Rating within 36
month period

(a) If the PPL, CPL, or Grade III Flight Instructor Rating skills test, as appropriate, is not undergone
within 36 months from the date of gaining a pass in all of the required examination subjects, then all
applicable subject credits will lapse. In such a case, a candidate will be required to re-take all the
required theoretical knowledge examinations in order to regain examination theory credit.
(b) If the Instrument Rating skills test is not undergone within 36 months from the date of gaining a
pass in the required examination, then the both the Air Law (as applicable to the licence held) and
Operational Procedures (Instrument Rating) examination credits will lapse. In such a case, a
candidate will be required to rewrite both the Air Law and Operational Procedures theoretical
knowledge examinations in order to regain examination theory credit.
(c) In the case of an ATPL (inclusive of an Instrument Rating), if an Instrument Rating is not issued
within 36 months from the date of passing the last ATPL examination, then the theory credits for
both the Air Law and Operational Procedures examinations will lapse. In such a case, a candidate
shall rewrite both the Air Law and Operational Procedures theoretical knowledge examinations in
order to regain ATPL and Instrument Rating examination credits.
(d) In the case of an ATPL (Helicopter) without an Instrument Rating, if an ATPL is not issued within 60
months from the date of passing the last ATPL examination, the theory credit for Air Law will lapse
and the candidate shall rewrite the Air Law theoretical knowledge examinations in order to regain
ATPL (Helicopter) examination credits.
(e) In the case of a student on an Integrated course, as referred to in regulation 61.01.15 (2), if the
skills test is not undergone within 36 months from the date of gaining a pass from all of the required
examination papers, then the theory credit for both the Air Law and Operational Procedures
examinations will lapse. A candidate will be required to re-take both the Air Law and Operational
Procedures theoretical knowledge examinations in order to regain examination theory credits.
Where a candidate has previously passed all ATPL theoretical knowledge examinations but was
not issued with a CPL and Instrument Rating within the 36 month period, the amount of credit to be
given for the ATPL theoretical knowledge instruction for the Air Law and Operational Procedures
examinations will be at the discretion of the Head of Training of the Part 141 Aviation Training
Organisation.

(15) Applicability of Theoretical Knowledge Examination Credits towards Lower Grade Licences

(a) In some circumstances a candidate who has previously attempted some ATPL theoretical
knowledge examinations may wish to consider attempting examinations at a lower level (i.e. PPL or
CPL). A candidate who has failed to obtain a pass in any subject at ATPL level will be required to
enter for the PPL or CPL examinations as though for an initial sitting.
(b) A candidate who has decided to discontinue writing the ATPL examinations and who has a passed
a subject at ATPL level will be credited with the corresponding subject at CPL level. Such an ATPL
credit is also counted towards the corresponding PPL examination.
(c) A credit for a CPL examination is counted towards the corresponding PPL examination.
(d) A candidate who has previously completed an approved ATPL theoretical knowledge course may
be credited with the CPL and Instrument Rating theoretical knowledge course.
(e) A candidate will be required to enter for these theoretical knowledge examinations via an approved
Part 141 Aviation Training Organisation.
(f) Details of credit applicability are presented in graphic form in Table 1.

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(g) Candidates should note that where credit is given in accordance with Table 1, all time limits, as
referred to in paragraph (11) and (12) above, will be calculated from the date of the first pass in any
of the examination subjects that will be used as credit.

Table 1: Applicability of Theoretical Knowledge Examination Credits Towards Lower Grade

Licences

Notes to table 1:

Note 1:
Credit applicability is indicated from left to right i.e. from the higher grade of licence towards the lower.
An arrow between two subject blocks indicates an examination credit towards a lower grade of licence.
A cross between two subject blocks indicates that no examination credit is granted. If an
examination subject is not offered at a certain licence grade, this is indicated in the applicable block in
plain words.
Note 2:
The examination subject credits indicated in Table 1 are applicable per aircraft category only.
Refer to paragraph 16 of this Technical Standard to determine Inter-category examination credits.
Note 3:
Aircraft Technical & General at ATPL or CPL level will give credit to both the Aircraft General and
Principles of flight subjects at PPL level.
Note 4:
No credit for ATPL General Navigation is allowed towards any lower grade licence due to the practical
(plotting) aspect that is excluded from this subject.
Note 5:
Table 1 does not apply to the Instrument Rating examination (Operational Procedures), which does not
provide credit towards any licence examination.

TABLE 1:

APPLICABILITY OF THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE EXAMINATION CREDITS TOWARDS

LOWER GRADE LICENCES

SUBJECT TITLES: ATPL SUBJECT: CPL SUBJECT: PPL SUBJECT:

AIR LAW Not at ATPL level Air Law Air Law

AIRCRAFT TECHNICAL Aircraft Technical Aircraft technical Aircraft General

& & &
GENERAL General General Principles of flight

FLIGHT
Flight Performance Flight Performance Flight Performance
PERFORMANCE
& & &
&
Planning Planning Planning
PLANNING

GENERAL General General General

NAVIGATION Navigation Navigation Navigation

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 HUMAN
Human Performance Human Performance
PERFORMANCE
Not at ATPL level & &
&
Limitations Limitations
LIMITATIONS

INSTRUMENTS Instruments Instruments

& & & Not at PPL level
ELECTRONICS Electronics Electronics

METEOROLOGY Meteorology Meteorology Meteorology

RADIO AIDS Radio Aids Radio Aids

& & & Not at PPL level
COMMUNICATION Communication Communication

(16) Inter-category Examination Credits

(a) Where an applicant holds the theoretical knowledge credits for an aeroplane licence and wishes to
obtain an equivalent helicopter licence or vice versa, then the rules in this paragraph apply to the
transfer of the credits held.
(b) In order to satisfy the theoretical knowledge requirements for an ATPL in a different category of
aircraft, the holder of an existing ATPL, or existing CPL with valid ATPL theory credits, is required
to obtain a pass in the following ATPL examinations for the category sought -
(i) Aircraft Technical and General;
(ii) Flight Performance and Planning.
(c) If the candidate referred to in paragraph (16)(b) above does not hold either a valid CPL in the
category sought or a valid examination credit for the CPL Air Law subject for the category sought,
the Air Law subject shall be passed at CPL level in addition to the subjects listed in paragraph
(16)(b) above.
(d) If a candidate requires an ATPL (Aeroplane), but does not hold either a valid Instrument Rating or a
valid credit for the Instrument Rating examination, the Instrument Rating examination (Operational
Procedures) shall be passed in addition to the subjects referred to in paragraph (16)(b) above.
(e) In order to satisfy the theoretical knowledge requirements for a CPL in a different category of
aircraft, the holder of an existing ATPL or CPL is required to obtain a pass in the following CPL
examinations for the category sought -
(i) Aircraft Technical and General;
(ii) Air Law;
(iii) Flight Performance and Planning.
(f) In order to satisfy the theoretical knowledge requirements for a PPL in a different category of
aircraft, the holder of an existing PPL, CPL or ATPL is required to obtain a pass in the following
PPL examinations for the category sought -
(i) Aircraft General;
(ii) Air Law;
(iii) Flight Performance and Planning;
(iv) Principles of Flight.
(g) It is a candidate’s responsibility to acquire competence in the aspects of the theoretical knowledge
requirements for the category licence sought that differ from those of the candidate’s existing
licence.

(17) PPL examinations

(a) A candidate requiring a PPL shall be required to pass the following examinations at PPL or higher
level, as appropriate -
(i) Aircraft General;
(ii) Air Law;
(iii) Flight Performance and Planning;
(iv) General Navigation;
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 (v) Human Performance and Limitations;
(vi) Meteorology;
(vii) Principles of Flight;
(b) A candidate requiring an Instrument Rating shall be required to pass the Instrument Rating
examination (Operational Procedures) in addition to the subjects listed in paragraph (17)(a) above.

(18) CPL Examinations

(a) A candidate requiring a CPL shall be required to pass the following examinations at CPL or higher
level, as appropriate -
(i) Aircraft Technical and General;
(ii) Air Law
(iii) Flight Performance and Planning;
(iv) General Navigation;
(v) Human Performance and Limitations;
(vi) Instruments and Electronics;
(vii) Meteorology;
(viii) Radio Aids and Communication;
(b) A candidate requiring an Instrument Rating shall be required to pass the Instrument Rating
examination (Operational Procedures) in addition to the subjects listed in paragraph (18)(a) above.

(19) ATPL Examinations for candidates on an integrated training course

(a) A candidate that is on an Integrated ATPL (Aeroplane) training course, as referred to in regulation
61.01.15(2), shall be required to pass the following examinations at the appropriate level -
(i) Aircraft Technical and General (at ATPL level);
(ii) Air Law (at CPL level).
(iii) Flight Performance and Planning (at ATPL level);
(iv) Human Performance and Limitations (at CPL level);
(v) General Navigation (at CPL level);
(vi) General Navigation (at ATPL level);
(vii) Instruments and Electronics (at ATPL level);
(viii) Meteorology (at ATPL level);
(ix) Radio Aids and Communication (at ATPL level);
(x) Instrument Rating (Operational Procedures).
(b) A candidate that is on an integrated course other than for an ATPL shall comply with the licence
requirements stipulated in regulation 61.01.10 before being allowed entry to an ATPL examination.

(20) ATPL Examinations for candidates not on an integrated training course

(a) A candidate requiring an ATPL, that is not on an integrated training course, as referred to in
regulation 61.01.15 (2), shall be required to pass the following examinations at ATPL level -
(i) Aircraft Technical and General;
(ii) Flight Performance and Planning;
(iii) General Navigation;
(iv) Instruments and Electronics;
(v) Meteorology;
(vi) Radio Aids and Communication;
(b) Candidates for an ATPL (Aeroplane), or an ATPL (Helicopter) with an Instrument Rating, that do
not hold either a valid Instrument Rating or valid credit for the Instrument Rating examination, shall
be required to pass the Instrument Rating examination (Operational Procedures) in addition to the
subjects listed in paragraph (20)(a) above.

(21) Night rating examination

(a) The Night Rating theoretical knowledge examination shall consist of a single online examination
conducted by the Authority.

Document SA-CATS 61.01.10 EXAMINATIONS Page 10 of 11

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(b) A pass in this examination does not give any credit towards any flight crew licence examination
conducted by the Authority.

(22) Instrument Rating Examination (Operational Procedures)

(a) The Instrument Rating (IR) theoretical knowledge examination, entitled Operational Procedures,
shall consist of a single examination conducted by the Authority.
(b) A pass in this examination does not give any credit towards the theoretical knowledge examination
requirements of any flight crew licence.
(c) A person who holds a valid Instrument Rating endorsed with one aircraft category and who wishes
to have his or her Instrument Rating endorsed with another aircraft category, is not required to write
the Instrument Rating theoretical knowledge examination for the category endorsement sought.
(d) A candidate who holds credit for the Air Law & Operational Procedures subject on 2016-06-30 shall
not be required to pass the new single-paper Instrument Rating examination subject (Operational
Procedures), if such a person requires an Instrument rating.

(23) Grade III Flight Instructor’s Rating (FI) Examinations

(a) The Grade III Flight Instructor’s Rating examinations shall consist of two (2) online examinations
conducted by the Authority.
(b) A candidate requiring a Grade III Flight Instructor’s Rating shall be required to pass the following
subjects at the appropriate level -
(i) Applied Meteorology and Navigation;
(ii) Principles of Flight and Legislation.

(24) Turbine-engine Aeroplane Flight Instructor Endorsement Examination

(a) The Turbine-engine Aeroplane Flight Instructor endorsement theoretical knowledge examination
shall consist of a single examination conducted by the Authority.
(b) The examination is based on the theoretical aspects contained in the ATPL Aircraft Technical and
General (Aeroplane) and CPL Human Performance and Limitations examinations.
(c) A candidate that has either completed the high performance aircraft theory requirements or is the
holder of an ATPL (Aeroplane) is exempt from the examinations towards this endorsement.

(25) Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate Examinations

(a) The Restricted and General Radio Licence theoretical knowledge examinations, respectively, shall
consist of a single examination conducted by the Authority.
(b) A pass in this examination does not give any credit towards any flight crew licence examination
conducted by the Authority.

Document SA-CATS 61.01.10 EXAMINATIONS Page 11 of 11

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