(1) An applicant for a PPL(H) must—
(a)
be 17 years or older;
(b)
hold a valid medical certificate, issued in terms of Part 67;
(c)
hold at least a valid restricted certificate of proficiency in radiotelephony (aeronautical);
(d)
show evidence of holding a valid SPL, or having held within the previous 60 months, any of the following—
(i)
a pilot licence (helicopter) issued by a Contracting State;
(ii)
a national pilot licence issued in terms of Part 62;
(e)
have successfully completed the training as prescribed in Document 61 at an approved Part 141 ATO;
(f)
have passed the theoretical knowledge examination as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61;
(g)
have passed the skills test referred to in regulation 61.04.4. (2) An applicant for a PPL(H) must have completed not less than 50 hours flight time as pilot of a helicopter of which—
(a)
at least 25 hours are dual instruction in helicopters; and
(b)
at least 15 hours are accumulated in solo flight, of which 5 hours are cross-country flight time.
(3) The solo cross-country flight time referred to in subregulation (2) (b) above must include one triangular cross-country flight of at least 100 NM, in the course of which full-stop landings at two different aerodromes away from base must have been made.
(4) A maximum of 5 hours dual instruction time may be accumulated in a helicopter FSTD approved for the purpose by the Director.
(5) A South African Air Force pilot may apply to be credited for theoretical knowledge examinations and flight time in terms of this Part.
Application for and issue of a PPL(H)
61.04.2 (1) An application for a PPL(H) must be made to the Director on the appropriate prescribed form within 30 days of the practical skills test.
(2) The application referred to in subregulation (1) must be accompanied by—
(a)
a valid medical certificate, issued in terms of Part 67;
(b)
(c)
the original documentation proving that the applicant has passed the theoretical knowledge examination referred to in paragraph (f) of regulation 61.04.1 (1);
(d)
the applicant’s flying logbook summarised in the format as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61;
(e)
the skills test report as prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61;
(f)
two recent passport-size photographs of the applicant, unless such applicant is the holder of another pilot licence issued in terms of Part 61; and
(g)
the appropriate fee as prescribed in Part 187. (3) The Director must issue a PPL(H), if he or she is satisfied that the applicant complies with the requirements referred to in regulation 61.04.1. (4) A PPL(H) must be issued in the appropriate prescribed form.
(5) The holder of a PPL(H) must, upon receipt of the PPL(H), immediately affix his or her signature thereon in ink in the space provided for such purpose.
Theoretical knowledge examination for a PPL(H)
61.04.3 The applicant must have passed all the theoretical knowledge examinations for a PPL(H) referred to in paragraph (f) of regulation 61.04.1 (1), within a period of 18 months of obtaining the first credit and must have passed the final theoretical knowledge examination within the 36 months preceding the skills test for a PPL(H).
Skills test for a PPL(H)
61.04.4 (1) An applicant for the issuing of a PPL(H) must undergo the skills test for a PPL(H), referred to in paragraph (g) of regulation 61.04.1 (1), within 30 days of the last period of dual instruction. (2) The applicant must pass a skills test demonstrating to a Chief Flying Instructor (Helicopter) (CFI/H) of an approved Part 141 ATO, or a Grade II or Grade I Flight Instructor (Helicopter) appointed in terms of Document SA-CATS 61 by the CFI/H of the approved Part 141 ATO, the ability to execute as PIC of a helicopter the procedures and manoeuvres prescribed in Document SA-CATS 61 with a degree of competence appropriate to the privileges granted to the holder of a PPL(H).
Privileges and limitations of a PPL(H)
61.04.5 (1) The holder of a PPL(H) may not exercise the privileges of that licence unless he or she—
(a)
is in possession of a valid medical certificate, issued to him or her in terms of Part 67;
(b)
has submitted a copy of the medical certificate to the licensing authority, as required in subregulation 61.01.6 (6) in the event that the aviation medical examiner is unable to submit electronic data to the Director; and
(c)
complies with the Maintenance of Competency requirements.
(2) The holder of a valid PPL(H) may, by day in VMC, act as PIC or co-pilot of any helicopter for which he or she holds the appropriate valid type rating.
(3) To provide for special VFR, the holder of a PPL(H) may fly in IMC, in sight of the surface and clear of cloud, fog or mist within a control zone, after being authorised to do so by the responsible air traffic services controller.
(4) If the holder of a PPL(H) has the appropriate valid rating, he or she may furthermore exercise the privileges of the licence for any of the special purposes referred to in regulation 61.04.8. (5) The holder of a PPL(H) may—
(a)
act as co-pilot of any helicopter on which a co-pilot is not a requirement;
(b)
not act as PIC of an helicopter that is carrying passengers or freight for reward or hire;
(c)
not be remunerated for acting in any pilot capacity in an helicopter;
(d)
act as a pilot-in-command of a helicopter in the course of his or her own or employer’s business, provided that—
(i)
the helicopter is not used as an essential or integral part in the furtherance of that business;
(ii)
the cost of the helicopter and or pilot is not recovered directly from the proceeds generated by the use of the helicopter;
(iii)
the helicopter does not perform a service for reward in any form; and
(iv)
the helicopter does not carry passengers or freight for reward or hire.
(Editorial Note: Wording as per original Government Gazette.)
Period of validity of a PPL(H)
61.04.6 A PPL(H) is valid for a period of 10 years provided that—
(a)
currency fees are paid in terms of regulation 61.01.17;
(b)
competency is maintained in terms of regulation 61.04.7;
(c)
annually, together with the fee referred to in paragraph (a), the completed application form as prescribed in regulation 61.04.2 (2) is submitted including certified copies of the last 3 pages of the logbook containing entries indicating a record of flight times, an annual summary indicating flight time per category, class, type and total time as well as certified copies of any endorsements entered into the logbook in the preceding 12 months. 
