Our Courses

Comprehensive Pilot Training for Every Stage of Your Aviation Career

At Progress Flight Academy, we offer world-class pilot training designed to take you from your first flight to airline readiness. Whether you’re starting with a Private Pilot Licence, aiming for a Commercial Pilot Licence (frozen ATPL), or training to become a Flight Instructor or First Officer (ATPL), our courses provide the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to succeed.
Academy

Professional Pilot – Integrated Training

Our flagship Integrated Professional Pilot Course takes students with no prior experience through a continuous programme to a Commercial Pilot Licence with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings, preparing graduates for immediate transition to jet orientation and type rating on medium airliners. This course follows international (EASA) standards, giving students true operational proficiency for commercial aviation.

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Professional Pilot – Modular Training

Modular training allows students to complete a Commercial Pilot Licence in stages, building on existing flight experience. Each programme is individually tailored, combining modern aircraft, simulators, and comprehensive airline-ground school to achieve professional pilot standards.

Airline Pilot Training

In partnership with Comair Training Centre, this programme trains ab-initio candidates for First Officer positions on aircraft such as Boeing 737, Airbus 320, ATR42, E145, or B1900. Graduates complete integrated ATPL studies, multi-crew coordination, jet transition, and type rating to be airline-ready.

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Flight Instructor Training

Progress Flight Academy’s Flight Instructor programme develops pilots into skilled instructors, offering extensive multi-engine, instrument, and night flying experience while enhancing career prospects for airline progression.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

The PPL course teaches students to fly safely and confidently under Visual Flight Rules, progressing from first solo flights through navigation and advanced manoeuvres. Training includes 53 hours of flight in Piper Warriors with dedicated one-on-one instruction.

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First Officer Training

Designed for graduates ready to transition into airline operations, this programme focuses on multi-engine proficiency, operational capability, and jet preparation, using purpose-built aircraft and advanced simulators to ensure a smooth path to type rating and airline cockpits.

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Get the complete guide to all our courses, training pathways, and everything you need to start your pilot career with Progress Flight Academy.

Pilot Success Stories

See what our graduates have to say about their training at Progress Flight Academy!
Mzamo Thabede
Mzamo Thabede

Second Officer

After my time as an instructor at Progress Flight Academy I was fortunate enough to be selected to join SA Express, a local regional airline, as a Mach 2 cadet. I flew the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 during my time there. We fed the major hubs in South Africa from the smaller ones. The focus put on multi-engine flying at training level made the transition from a Piper Seminole to a Dash 8 a streamlined experience. I flew for SA Express for 2 years and 11 months and then got my dream opportunity, to fly for the national carrier, South African Airways.” “I joined SAA as an inflight relief pilot on the Airbus A340 and have had the opportunity to visit some amazing destinations and fly with really experienced and passionate crew.

Jared le Roux
Jared le Roux

First Officer

After leaving Progress I moved up to Johannesburg in search of flying work. It ended up being the most stressful year of my life as flying jobs were scarce and promises from a few operators were a little hollow so I ended up doing some freelance on a Seneca as well as flight instruction. This is where I realized that the standard of flying is nowhere close to the standard set out at Progress Flight Academy. Luckily towards the end of 2013 I landed an unbelievable position with Anglo American flying the Beechcraft 1900. We are based out of OR Tambo and I'm currently doing my captaincy upgrade which should be completed towards the end of September. The next step will be a transition onto the jet which should hopefully happen early 2016 onto either a Citation Excel or a Dornier Jet. Once that happens I'll also begin with instructing on the Beechcraft 1900. Busy times ahead!

Olinga Martel
Olinga Martel

First Officer

After working as an Instructor at Progress Flight Academy for a number of years I flew on contract all over the continent of Africa flying Let410s. Some years later I joined the Kulula Airline where I am now flying the Boeing 737-800. hroughout my time at Progress I gained valuable experience both as a student and as an instructor. A solid foundation was set from which it was easy to build as it was of a high standard.

Kell Kotze
Kell Kotze

Captain

I'm a Boeing 737 Captain with Mango airlines. I often tune into Progress aerodrome frequency as I fly by to see how the school is doing. I am always pleased to hear the familiar call signs and pilots busy with their training. I'm grateful for the solid foundation I received at Progress while both a student and instructor; the fundamentals I learned and taught are still applicable even in a modern airliner.

Melville Venter
Melville Venter

Captain

On completion of two years flight instruction at Progress Flight Academy I started on my first Turbine Aircraft, the Beechcraft 1900, for Executive Turbine Aviation. I have been on contract for various companies on the 1900 including Balmoral and now Solenta. I was a Training Captain and CAA Designated Flight Examiner III for Balmoral. Countries of operation include Sudan, Mozambique, Kenya, Afghanistan, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Algeria. I am currently a Beech 1900 Captain for Solenta in Algeria and I still live in Port Elizabeth.

Jaco du Plessis
Jaco du Plessis

Captain

I left Progress in October 2006 and joined Solenta in November. I flew the Beechcraft 1900 on contract and operated in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sudan and Algeria. These contracts were for DHL, United Nations World Food Program, R.ed Cross, and Oil Companies in Algeria and Sudan.. I joined 1Time in 2008 and flew the MD 82/83/87. In March 2012 I joined Emirates and moved to Dubai. We fly the Boeing 777 (all models, including B777-300ER) to 150 destinations worldwide; I have been lucky to have visited quite a few.

Carlo Cattaneo
Carlo Cattaneo

First Officer

I work for a company called Sahara African Aviation. We are wet leased to companies abroad, flying the Embraer 120 for scheduled operations. Sahara is the second biggest operator of E120s in the world, and the biggest in Africa. At the moment I'm in Moroni, Comores but we have other bases in Gabon, Mozambique and Madagascar. The flying is always challenging with gusting +40kt winds, wind shear and one way in, one way out air strips. My time spent as a student and then Instructor at Progress, especially as a Grade II multi-engine instructor, has really laid a great foundation.