All Aviation courses in Kenya, schools, & requirements
In this article, we will turn ,the spotlight on aviation courses in Kenya, schools, and their requirements.
Without a doubt, aircraft piloting and cabin crew are the most popular aviation courses in Kenya BUT there are more courses you can pursue in the aviation industry.
These include aeronautical engineering, air traffic control, aviation management, and other specialized courses such as flight dispatch.
In this article, we will explore your career options in the Kenyan aviation industry, admission requirements, and colleges to enrol in. Let’s get to it.
Pilot training (Requirements and schools)
Pilot training is the most popular course in Kenya and the most intense. The course starts with a Private pilot license which takes 4 to 6 months to complete. With the course, you can fly and operate small aircraft.
To fly commercial aircraft, you must undergo a Commercial Pilot Licence training which takes 8 to 12 months to complete.
Entry Requirements for Private Pilot License Training
To enrol for a Private Pilot License Certification course in Kenya, you must meet the following requirements:
- At least C plain in KCSE.
- C plain or above in maths, English, geography and any science subject.
- Must Be at least 17 years of age.
- Must Be proficient in English.
- Must hold a KCAA class two medical certificate.
Commercial pilot license certification course requirements
One of the requirements for a Commercial Pilot License is to be a holder of a Private Pilot License acquired locally OR from foreign flight schools.
Other requirements are:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Be proficient in English.
- Must be a holder of a KCAA class one medical certificate.
Diploma and certificate in airport operations requirements
This course covers everything that happens in an airport environment such as navigation, metrology, radio communication and more.
The entry requirement for a diploma in airport operations is a KCSE mean grade of C minus and D plain for a certificate.
Course modules
The course covers the following units:
- Air navigation
- Air traffic management
- Aviation Meteorology
- Radio communication
- Principles of flight
- Schedule performance
- Airlaw & civil aviation regulations
- Flight planning and monitoring Dangerous goods regulations
- Aircraft load control and dispatch
- procedures
- Passenger & aircraft handling
- Birds management
- Occupational health and safety procedures Practical
- Airport safety management
IATA certificate in airline cabin crew
To become a certified cabin crew, you can enrol for an International Air Transport Association (IATA) certification right here in Kenya
The course takes approximately six months to complete at a cost of about KES 140, 000. Utalii College is licensed to offer the course by IATA.
Diploma and degree in Aeronautical engineering
We have covered in-depth the requirements for aeronautical engineering in Kenya and all schools offering the course. Make sure you check that out from the provided link.
After your degree or diploma, you will need to enrol for a certification course before you can repair, maintain, or inspect an aircraft.
Other Aviation courses in Kenya
- Diploma and certificate in aviation security.
- Diploma/certificate in air cargo.
- Bachelor of Science in aerospace science (Professional pilot, aviation security, and security logistics)
Moi University aviation courses and requirements
Private pilot licence
To enroll in this course, you need a KCSE mean grade of C plain with C plain in maths, English, geography, and any sciences.
Other requirements:
- Must Be at least 17 years of age.
- Must Be proficient in English.
- Must hold a KCAA class two medical certificate.
Commercial pilot licence
To be awarded a commercial pilot licence from Moi University, you have to meet the following requirements.
- Must be a holder of a valid Kenyan or foreign private pilot licence.
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Be proficient in English.
- Must be a holder of a KCAA class one medical certificate.
Bachelor of science in aerospace science (professional pilot option)
After successful completion of this degree program, graduates are awarded Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) as well as certificate in Instrument Rating (IR) offered by Kenya Civil Aviation authority.
Requirements:
- KCSE mean grade of C PLUS with C + in mathematics, physics, English and geography/chemistry OR be a holder of Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education with two Principals (Mathematics, Physics or Geography/chemistry) and one subsidiary with at least credit four in English at ‘O’ Level.
- Should fulfil the requirements for Kenya Civil Authority medical certificate for pilot licences.
Other specializations in BSc aerospace science are aviation security and aviation logistics.
Aviation courses in Kenya available through KUCCPS
- Diploma in airports operations offered at East Africa School of Aviation (KCSE Mean grade of C minus)
- Bachelor of Science in aviation management
Aviation schools in Kenya and courses offered
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) regulates aviation schools in Kenya, Aviation training, air navigation services, aviation safety, and security.
KCAA reviews flight schools offering aviation programs twice every year. Accredited institutions offer courses in Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot License, instrument rating, flight operations and dispatch, aircraft maintenance engineer license, flight instructors and cabin crews.
As of 2024, there are 24 flying schools offering various aviation courses in Kenya. The following is a list of all institutions. We shall later look at all courses offered in each institution.
Note that the aviation courses covered under each school are only courses accredited by KCAA. The institutions might be offering other courses accredited by other regulatory bodies or do not require accreditation.
| Aviation school name | Location |
|---|---|
| East African School of Aviation | Old Airport road, Embakasi |
| Kenya School of Flying | Wilson Airport; Malindi Airport; Orly Airpark |
| Standards Aviation | Wilson Airport |
| Flight Training Centre | Wilson Airport; Nyaribo Airstrip |
| Ninety Nines Flying School | Wilson Airport |
| Proactive Air Services | Wilson Airport |
| Aerolink Flight Centre Ltd | Wilson Airport |
| Skymax Aviation Ltd | Wilson Airport; Malindi Airport |
| Aerosafe African Consultants | Wilson Airport |
| Nairobi Flight Training | Wilson Airport |
| Westrift Aviation Ltd | Wilson Airport |
| Capital Connect Aviation Supplies | Wilson Airport |
| Pegasus Flyers (EA) Ltd | Wilson Airport |
| KQ Pride Centre | KQ Headquarters, Embakasi |
| Think Aviation Training | Wilson Airport |
| Flitestar Academy | Wilson Airport |
| Mt Kenya Flight school | Nanyuki |
East Africa School of Aviation (KCAA accredited courses)
The East Africa School of aviation is accredited to offer the following courses:
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
- Aircraft Maintenance engineers license
- Air Traffic Control
Kenya School of Flying
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Airline Transport Pilots License
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument Rating
- Flight Instructors Rating
Standards Aviation courses
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Airline Transport Pilots License
- Flight Instructors Rating
Flight Training Centre
- Private Pilots License (Airplane & Helicopter)
- Commercial Pilots License (Airplane & Helicopter)
- Airline Transport Pilots License
- Flight Instructors Rating
Ninety-Nines Flying School
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument Rating
- Flight Instructors Rating
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Proactive Air Services
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument Rating
Aerolink Flight Centre Ltd
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument Rating
Skymax Aviation Ltd
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Aerosafe African Consultants
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Nairobi Flight Training
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Airline Transport Pilots License
- Instrument Rating
Westrift Aviation Ltd
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Airline Transport Pilots License
- Instrument Rating
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
- Flight Instructors Rating
Capital Connect Aviation Supplies
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Multi-Engine
- Instrument Rating
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Pegasus Flyers (EA) Ltd
- Private Pilots License
KQ Pride Centre
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Think Aviation Training
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Flitestar Academy
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
- Flight Operations and Dispatch
Mt Kenya Flight School
- Private Pilots License
- Commercial Pilots License
Those are all accredited aviation schools in Kenya. KCAA reviews this list twice a year therefore we will update it in case of any changes.
Thats all on aviation courses in Kenya. Before you enrol in a course, ensure it’s certified by the relevant regulatory body otherwise you risk going unregistered after completing your course.
Ilike the course and I am interested but I don’t know how to apply,I haven’t met some requirements I need assistance kindly.
Hi Zawadi, in which institution would you like to apply?
can i make it without geography?
because i really love this career!
What about aircraft maintenance is it available through kuccps in eldoret aviation college
I just finished high school in 2022 and got; MEAN GRADE C+ AGP 47 ENG D+ KIS C MAT D BIO C- PHY B- CHE C+ GEO B CRE B+.
What courses can i fo in aviation.
I scored C minus in my KCSE examination in 2022 and iwant to join the Aviation Schools. Which courses can i persuewith that grade.
Tvet aviation schools eligible for helb loan
Hello my son scored c- interested in doing diploma air port operation is it tvet or does kuccps sponsor.Kindly advice.
Kindly check on the KUCCPS website.
What about certificate in airport operation
I completed the four year secondary course and I had a mean grade of c minus which course can I persue in aviation and how long can it take
Hi hosea, you can go for airport operations
I scored a c minus in my kcse examination in 2015 and i want to join the aviation schools
Which courses can i persue with that grade and how long will it take up to completion
You can enrol for a course in dispatch. sorry for the wait