How to Obtain a Ground Instructor License in Kenya

The Ground Instructor license allows the holder to offer various kinds of ground instruction required of those seeking pilot licenses and ratings. They are issued with ratings, and these determine the exact areas in which the holder may give instruction.

Requirements for the Issue of a Ground Instructor’s Rating

An applicant for a ground instructor license shall;

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Demonstrates the ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language in accordance with the language proficiency requirements and obtain either of the following ratings;
   1. Operational Level (Level 4); Valid for 3 years
   2. Extended Level (Level 5); Valid for 6 years
   3. Expert Level (Level 6); Valid for Life
3. Pass a knowledge test on the fundamentals of instructing.
   • The knowledge test results for a ground instructor license shall be valid for eighteen months after passing the examination.
4. The knowledge test specified above is not required if the applicant holds a flight instructor rating.
5. Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas specified in PPL, CPL and ATPL.
6. A ground instructor license shall be issued with either one of the following ratings;
   1. Basic;
   2. Advanced;
   3. Instrument; or
   4. Basic and Instrument
   5. Advanced and Instrument
7. For an applicant for a ground instructor license to acquire the above ratings, he or she is required to hold or have held a Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License (i.e. these licenses could be valid or expired) as appropriate.
8. If an applicant does not hold the above licenses, then he/she should pass the following—
   1. Basic ground instructor rating; aeronautical knowledge requirements for Commercial Pilot License
   2. Advanced ground instructor rating; aeronautical knowledge requirements for Airline Transport Pilot License
   3. Instrument ground instructor rating; meet the requirements of either (i) or (ii)
   4. Be a holder of a valid instrument rating

Ground Instructor License Application requirements;

1. A duly filled application form.
2. A professional certificate from an ATO.
3. Any previously held license (CPL/ATPL).
4. Payment of Prescribed fees (To be added later)

Renewal of the Ground Instructor License

1. A duly filled application form
2. A holder of a ground instructor license shall not perform the duties of a ground instructor unless within the twelve preceding months the person has served for three months as a ground instructor. This will be substantiated by a letter from the ATO where the Ground Instructor Tutors.
3. Payment of Prescribed fees.

Procedure – Ground Instructor License

Apply in Person

1. To obtain your Ground Instructor License, one has to fully complete and submit the prescribed application form.
2. This form can be obtained by visiting the Personnel Licensing (PEL) Offices of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority’s – KCAA Offices
3. After filling the application documents you are required to submit them to the Authority’s Personnel Licensing (PEL) offices or you can forwarded them to the:-
   Director General,
   Kenya Civil Aviation Authority,
   P. O. Box 30163-00100,
   Nairobi, Kenya,
4. You are required to submit the Ground Instructor License application form with all the required documents for you to get approval to make payments for the prescribed application fees. These documents include:-
   (i). A professional certificate from an Authorised Training Organisation.
   (ii). Any previously held license (Commercial Pilot License /Airline Transport Pilot License).
   (iii). A current medical certificate
   (iv). two current passport size photographs (full face);
   (v). A photo identification card or
5. The receiving officers will check for discrepancies or ineligibility in the application documents. If a discrepancy that cannot be immediately corrected exists in any of the documents, the application and all the submitted documents will be returned to the applicant and should not be re-submitted until the discrepancy has been rectified corrected.
6. If the receiving officers is satisfied that all the requirements have been met for the issue of a licence and the prescribed application form has been completed and presented in the Personnel Licensing (PEL) Office, the applicant will be advised to pay the prescribed application fees, after which the licence will be issued.
7. You are also to proceed to pay the prescribed application fees and submit the payment receipt to together with the application documents.
   • An application fee of KSh. 5,000 is charged for the issuance of the license
     .
8. This is followed by taking of a conversion examination for a ground instructors licences and upon a successful sitting of the examination you will be issued with a license.
9. A processing time of 7 days is needed to complete the processing of the Ground Instructor License application, after which you will be contacted through a phone call to collect your new license at the KCAA’s Personnel Licensing offices.
10. You will be required to carry your identification documents when collecting your new license.

Required Documents

The following forms should be duly filled and signed;

1. Dully filled prescribed application form
2. A professional certificate from an Authorised Training Organisation.
3. Any previously held license (Commercial Pilot License /Airline Transport Pilot License).
4. A current medical certificate
5. Two current passport size photographs (full face);
6. A photo identification card or Passport.
7. Payment receipt of Prescribed fees of Ksh. 5000
   

Office Locations & Contacts

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority – Head Office,
Aviation House, Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport, Nairobi
Tel: +254 020 827470-75
Mobile: +254 728 606 570, +254 709 725000
+254 728 606 586, +254 734 000 491, +254 734 000492
Fax: + 254 020 822300
P.O. Box 30163 -00100 Nairobi
Email: info@kcaa.or.ke
Website: KCAA Website

Other Regional Offices Contacts

Eligibility

• An applicant for a ground instructor license shall;

1. Be at least eighteen years of age;
2. Demonstrates the ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language in accordance with the language proficiency requirements and obtain either of the following ratings;
   (i). Operational Level (Level 4); Valid for 3 years
   (ii). Extended Level (Level 5); Valid for 6 years
   (iii). Expert Level (Level 6); Valid for Life
3. Pass a knowledge test on the fundamentals of instructing.
   • The knowledge test results for a ground instructor license shall be valid for eighteen months after passing the examination.
4. The knowledge test specified above is not required if the applicant holds a flight instructor rating.
5. Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas specified in PPL, CPL and ATPL.
6. A ground instructor license shall be issued with either one of the following ratings;
   (i). Basic;
   (ii). Advanced;
   (iii). Instrument; or
   (iv). Basic and Instrument
   (v). Advanced and Instrument
7. For an applicant for a ground instructor license to acquire the above ratings, he or she is required to hold or have held a Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License (i.e. these licenses could be valid or expired) as appropriate.
8. If an applicant does not hold the above licenses, then he/she should pass the following—
   (i). Basic ground instructor rating; aeronautical knowledge requirements for Commercial Pilot License
   (ii). Advanced ground instructor rating; aeronautical knowledge requirements for Airline Transport Pilot License
   (iii). Instrument ground instructor rating; meet the requirements of either (i) or (ii)
   (iv). Be a holder of a valid instrument rating
   

Fees

• A fee of Ksh 2000 is charged for issuance of this license
• Charges for Air Navigation Services and Regulatory Fees
  

Validity

• The validity period is one year.
  

Documents to Use

• The application form for issue of a ground Instructor License may be obtained from the Authority’s Personnel licensing (PEL) offices.

Processing Time

• The processing time is seven days.

Instructions

• The applicant should –

1. Make sure they are eligible for the license.
2. Obtain Application form from PEL Offices and complete the prescribed application form,
3. Submit all the required documents.
4. Pay the applicable fees and submit the payment receipt.
5. Wait for the processing period to elapse then collect your new Ground Instructor License.
   

Required Information

1. Full names
2. Postal and physical address
3. Date and place of birth
4. Nationality
5. Gender
6. Name of Approved Training Organisation where you got instructed
7. Particulars of licences already held (Place and Date of Issue , Type of Licence, Number and Expiry Date )
8. Whether you are able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language in accordance with the English language proficiency requirements of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
9. Whether you have met all the requirements for the issuance of this licence
10. Declaration
11. Signature of Applicant
12. Date of Application

Need for the Document

• The Ground Instructor license allows the holder to offer various kinds of ground instruction required of those seeking pilot licenses and ratings.
• They are issued with ratings, and these determine the exact areas in which the holder may give instruction.

External Links

• The Civil Aviation Act
• Personnel licensing
  

Others

• Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) was established on 24th October 2002 by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act, 2002 with the primary functions towards;

1. Regulation and oversight of Aviation Safety & Security;
2. Economic regulation of Air Services and development of Civil Aviation;
3. Provision of Air Navigation Services, and Training of Aviation personnel KCAA;

as guided by the provisions of the convention on international civil aviation, related ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), the Kenya Civil Aviation Act, 2013 and the civil aviation regulations.