Every so often a book comes across my desk which is either sufficiently interesting or important enough to qualify as the Gadget of the Month.

This month’s book is both interesting and important. As pilots, our licenses are fundamental to who we are. Trouble is, over time the licensing has become more and more complicated.

Well-known retired instructor and Boeing 747 pilot Lilith Seals has produced a handy reference to the entire Pilot Licensing (Part 61) section of the Air Navigation Regulations and the applicable Civil Aviation Technical Standards (CATS).

This is a treasure trove of information. Ranging from what is the difference between a tug (pulls gliders) or tow pilot (pulls banners) to what it means to be an ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) or the vaguely obscene sounding (and oxymoronic) PICUS (Pilot in Command Under Instruction) .

Lilith has made the complex material accessible by using tables that give a synoptic view of the license requirements. If I have one minor quibble it’s that there isn’t an index in the back. Lilith says she may look at this for future revisions.

This invaluable reference work is available for just R100, directly from Lilith Seals.

Call her on 082-440-8625

or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it