How to become a pilot in Kenya 2024/2025 (All channels)

Becoming a pilot is a career aspiration for many Kids. Growing up, I also aspired to become a pilot but a lack of information on Aviation courses and how to become a pilot in Kenya halted my aspiration.

That will not be the case for you. In this article, we will look at entry requirements for a pilot course in Kenya and schools you can enrol in.

Road map to becoming a pilot in Kenya

You can become a pilot in Kenya through two avenues.

1. By Enrolling into a flying school.
2. By Joining the Kenya Airforce as a military cadet.

Enrolling in a flying school

There are many aviation schools in Kenya accredited by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority to offer aircraft and air balloon flying courses in Kenya.

To become a pilot in Kenya through training in a flying school, you can enrol in a flight school of your choice locally or in a country of your choice.

Note that some flying schools in Kenya have KCSE requirements BUT they are not considered for licensing by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).

However, KCAA has specific requirements which one must meet before being issued a student pilot license, private pilot license or commercial pilot license.

During training, you will be issued a student pilot licence by KCAA.

To fly a small aircraft, you will need a Private Pilot License which takes at least six months to complete.

After accumulating a specific amount of flying hours and undergoing further training, you can enrol for a commercial pilot license. With this license, you can fly commercial aeroplanes for Kenya Airways or other airlines.

How to become a pilot in Kenya by joining the Kenya Airforce

Another way to become a pilot in Kenya is through joining the Kenya Defence Forces as a military cadet.

If you join the Air Force, you might be shortlisted for the flying squad where the army will train you to become a Kenya Air Force pilot for free.

As a KDF pilot, you can fly private and commercial aircraft incase you resign or retire from the Army.

KCSE requirements for a pilot course in Kenya

To be admitted into a piloting course at Kenya School of Aviation and earn your private pilot license, you must meet the following requirements.

Note that some institutions like the Kenya School of flying have higher KCSE requirements.

1. At least a KCSE mean grade of C plain.
2. At least C plain in mathematics, English and geography.
3. C plain in any science subject.

Must read tip

The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, a body that registers pilots in Kenya does not consider your KCSE grade while issuing a flying license. However, you must meet

Other requirements include:

1. A medical examination certificate from an accredited medical examiner.
2. Copies of your academic certificates.
3. Internal evaluation in maths, English, and psychometric.
4. Five flight assessment lessons.
5. Possess a certificate of good conduct.

Course duration:

The duration for a private pilot license at Kenya School of Flying is between 4 to 6 months. In other aviation colleges, the course may take up to 12 months.

What next after getting your Private Pilot License?

After getting your private Pilot License, you can enrol for a commercial pilot license after accumulating a specific amount of flying hours.

Different institutions have various flight hour requirements for you to enrol for commercial license pilot certification.

After completing any of the courses, you are required to get a flying license from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

Training abroad

You can also opt to study abroad and later convert your foreign license through the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

To summarise how to become a pilot in Kenya, you need to meet entry requirements in your preferred college. During training, KCAA will issue you with a student license pilot. After completion of your studies, the body will issue you with a private license pilot.

After accumulating some flight hours, you can enrol for a commercial pilot licencing course and later licensing.

Frequently asked questions

That’s all about how to become a pilot in Kenya. If you have any questions, kindly ask in the comments section below.