South African Air Force (SAAF) Recruitment, see Application Requirements & Form 2025-2026

We are pleased to inform you about SAAF Recruitment 2025-2026 | Application Form & Requirements

The South African Air Force (SAAF) (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag) is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. The South African Air Force was established on 1 February 1920. The Air Force has seen service in World War II and the Korean War.

So when do I apply

Recruitment of prospective SAAF student pilots and navigators is an annual process. The process is initiated by advertisements in the Sunday Times, Rapport and City Press around February each year. A closing date is given. No applications are processed prior to the closing date i.e. if you apply in January, your application will be held over and processed as part of the annual batch. There are no exceptions unless a special drive for affirmative action candidates is required.

The process followed after the closing date involves the initial sifting of anything up to five thousand applications. Here the chancers are eliminated, as are job seekers, and those who do not meet the criteria called for in the advert or application form, eg no maths or science, overweight, no matric, not SA citizens, etc. The next step are those identified for initial psychometric tests. The potential candidate is contacted for the first time and told to report for these tests and others. The streaming process continues, tests, interviews, initial selection and aviation medical until the final thirty candidates (dependant on SAAF requirement) are selected.

Please note that the above is a summary of the selection process which and can take over a year. For example, the 2018 year application process should commence at the 2018 closing date, the selection process in 2019, the Basic Military Training and SAAF orientation courses 2020 and flying 2021. Scholars are encouraged to apply in the Grade 11 year with selection during the Grade 12 year. The successful candidate will then join the SAAF straight from school.

Why wait till the next recruitment drive?

Instead of waiting for the advert to appear, you could also send your CV to the SAAF now. They should keep it on file until the next recruitment drive.

Suggested items to include in your CV include:

• Full name
• Postal address
• Telephone numbers
• ID number
• Marital status
• Height
• Weight
• Gender
• Race
• Contact details
• Whether you want to be a pilot or navigator
• Current tertiary level
• Subjects, symbols and HG/SG/other
• A copy of your ID book

And again, what about www.saairforce.co.za/recruitment is the official sites of south african air force recruitment. And they are also the site where south african air force 2019/2020 application form will take place. www.saairforce.co.za/recruitment will answer the questions of ‘How can I join the south african air force pilot?

How to Apply for South African Air force Recruitment Application Form 2025-2026

The South African Air Force Recruitment is very simple to APPLY.

Therefore,

• GOTO www.careers.mil.za OR www.saairforce.co.za/recruitment to apply successfully.

South African Air Force Recruitment Application Form Requirements 2025-2026

The bottom line:

More than 89% of our visitors have testified that they got recruited by their strict adherence to our south African air force pilot requirements 2019 guidelines.

General Requirements

• CITIZENS: Firstly, A South African Citizen (No dual citizenship)
• AGE: Secondly, Age between 18 and 22 at the time of joining (Not more than 26 for graduates)
• Marital Status: A Single person.
• Medical Fit:  Comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the SANDF
• Academic Grade: Currently in Grade 12 or completed Grade 12 or equivalent with subjects specific to a career selection
• You don’t need to be area bound
• And also, must not have a criminal record
• Physically Fit and Medically Fit
• Comply with all the prescribed requirements for appointment in the SANDF
• So also, must be willing to relocate and to participate in deployments both in South Africa and abroad if required to do so
• Finally, Be recommended by a selection board.

South African Air Force Recruitment Application Form & Portal Selection Process

Applications complying with the minimum requirements will be subjected to further screening. Candidates identified will then be invited to partake in a selection process.

The selection process entails the following:

Psychometric evaluation: 
The aim is to assess the candidate’s aptitude and potential to develop in the position that was applied for. The nature of these tests will depend on the position applied for.

Selection Board (formal interview):
A Selection Board will be conducted in order to assess the applicant’s interest in the position applied for, as well as his or her interest in the Defence Force in general. The interview will also focus on self-confidence, leadership potential and communication skills.

Medical Evaluation:
A comprehensive medical evaluation will be conducted by appointed military medical practitioners in order to assess the applicant’s medical history and current medical status. All applicants must be declared fit for military training before commencement.

Criminal Records: 
The fingerprints of applicants will be sent to the Criminal Record Bureau for verification. Records of convictions will be evaluated based on the severity thereof and how recently the offense (s) occurred.

Offer of Employment
Successful applicants will receive an offer of employment. Candidates who are not successful will be informed by correspondence. It is unfortunate that not all applicants who are recommended for training will receive an offer of employment due to the large number of applications received.

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