National Pilot Licence
Fly your own microlight or light-sport aircraft with the same depth of knowledge as a private pilot — we take you through the full PPL theory course and help you obtain your National Pilot Licence.
About the course
The same knowledge as a private pilot
Guthrie Aviation can help you obtain a National Pilot Licence to fly microlight and light-sport aircraft.
We believe the knowledge needed to fly safely is the same whatever you fly, so NPL students follow the same theory course as our Private Pilot students. The only difference is that your flight training is completed in your own non-type-certified aircraft, subject to approval by your instructor and an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO).
In February 2026 CAAZ announced a national licensing system for pilots of non-type-certificated aircraft such as microlights and light sport aeroplanes: a National Student Pilot Licence while you train, and a National Pilot Licence with category, class and type ratings, under new Civil Aviation (National Licensing) Regulations (Part 39). Until those regulations are published, national pilot licensing falls under the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association (ZNTCAA).
How it compares with a PPL
- The same theory course as our Private Pilot Licence students
- Flight training in your own non-type-certified aircraft, rather than ours — subject to instructor and AMO approval
- We confirm when you have met the minimum requirements to sit the CAAZ PPL examinations
- Some applicants choose to take those exams — for example, to obtain a radio licence
- Until CAAZ’s Part 39 regulations are published, the NPL falls under the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association (ZNTCAA)
What the new CAAZ regulations will ask of you
- An age requirement for the licence you’re applying for
- Medical fitness, as prescribed in the regulations
- Completed theory training and knowledge exams
- The required flight training hours and experience
- A skills test with a CAAZ-designated examiner
- English proficiency appropriate to the licence
From CAAZ Advisory Circular CA/PEL/AC-00 (February 2026). The exact ages, medical standard and minimum hours will be set in CAAZ’s Part 39 National Licensing Regulations, which have not yet been published. Until then the NPL falls under the ZNTCAA — ask us for the current requirements.
Costs
| Ground school | US$1,500 — the same PPL theory course, including learning materials, online access and classroom time |
|---|---|
| Flight instruction | $60 per hour |
| Aircraft | Your own, subject to instructor and AMO approval |
The ground school fee is non-refundable, and the course must be completed within 12 months or the fee is payable again. CAAZ licence and exam fees are separate. Prices are indicative and may change without notice — see our disclaimer.
Your training journey
How the course runs
Talk to us
Tell us about your aircraft and your flying so far. Enrolments run Monday to Friday, 08:00–13:00.
PPL theory course
Work through the same ground school as our PPL students, covering all nine subjects.
Fly your own aircraft
Once your instructor and an AMO have approved it, your flight training is completed in your own non-type-certified aircraft at Charles Prince Airport, at $60 an hour for instruction.
Exams or ZNTCAA route
We confirm you’ve met the minimum requirements to sit the CAAZ PPL exams. Take them — for example, for a radio licence — or follow the ZNTCAA’s requirements.
Ground school
The full PPL theory course
Exams & test
We confirm when you have met the minimum requirements to sit the authority’s PPL examinations.
If you take them: CAAZ sets the knowledge exams and the pass mark is 75%. Exams are written at CAAZ Head Office, Harare International Airport, and are moving to CAAZ’s computer-based PEXO system.
Not every NPL applicant writes the CAAZ exams — some follow the requirements of the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association instead.
Why it matters
Trained to understand, not just to pass
“In the absence of all other standards, maintain your own.” — the standard we hold ourselves to.
A licence is the start, not the goal. What counts is how you handle the moment something doesn’t go to plan — and that comes down to how deeply you were trained.
Over the years, Guthrie-trained pilots have gone on to fly for — and reach the senior levels of — some of the world’s most recognised airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Qatar Airways, and to serve as chief pilots for corporate operators and private families.
Training at Charles Prince (FVCP)
Where you’ll train
Your training takes place at our school and at Charles Prince Airport, Harare.
Charles Prince sits high on the Harare plateau. Training at altitude builds performance planning and density-altitude awareness into every flight — skills that travel anywhere.
A CAAZ Approved Training Organisation (certificate 0006), also approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (0162/98). Training here since 1995.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need my own aircraft?
Yes. NPL flight training is completed in your own non-type-certified aircraft, subject to approval by your instructor and an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO). Your theory training is with us.
What does it cost?
Ground school is US$1,500, the same as for the PPL theory course, and flight instruction is $60 an hour. You fly your own aircraft. CAAZ licence and exam fees are separate.
Where does the training take place?
At our school and at Charles Prince Airport, Harare.
Who issues the NPL?
In February 2026 CAAZ announced a national licensing system for non-type-certificated aircraft (Advisory Circular CA/PEL/AC-00), with a National Student Pilot Licence for training and a National Pilot Licence with category, class and type ratings, under new Part 39 regulations. Until those regulations are published, national pilot licensing falls under the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association (ZNTCAA). Ask us how the changeover affects you.
Which aircraft does it cover?
CAAZ’s national licences cover non-type-certificated aircraft — microlights, gyroplanes, hang-gliders, paragliders, light sport aeroplanes and touring motor gliders — through category, class and type ratings. Our NPL training is for microlight and light-sport aeroplanes.
Why the full PPL theory course?
Because we believe the knowledge needed to fly safely is the same as it is for a PPL.
Do I have to write the CAAZ PPL exams?
Not always. We confirm when you meet the minimum requirements to sit them. Some applicants take them, for example to obtain a radio licence; others follow the requirements of the Zimbabwe Non-Type Certified Aircraft Association.
Request information
Ask us about the NPL
Tell us where you are now and what you’d like to achieve. We’ll come back with the next intake, a training plan and costs.
Keep going
Related courses
Fly your own aircraft, properly trained
Ask us about the NPL and the next theory course.