About Our Academy

Set in the coastal city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where South African aviation history stretches back more than a century through pioneers such as Allister Miller, a First World War pilot, aviation entrepreneur, and one of the founding figures of commercial aviation in South Africa, Progress Flight Academy offers a world-class environment for professional pilot training. Miller was instrumental in establishing early passenger and airmail routes in the country, including founding Union Airways in Port Elizabeth, which later became the foundation of South African Airways. His vision helped position the city as one of the birthplaces of civil aviation in South Africa.

With over 45 years of experience, Progress has earned a long-standing reputation for producing skilled, disciplined, and highly employable pilots - trained to international standards and prepared for the realities of modern aviation.

While many flight schools meet the minimum legal requirements, very few consistently achieve the operational capability demanded by today’s airlines and commercial operators. Progress Flight Academy is recognised as one of the select institutions in South Africa whose training standards align with best international practice, producing graduates who transition successfully into advanced aircraft and airline First Officer training.