Taking Flight: KwaZulu-Natal’s First Aviation High School Lands in Pietermaritzburg

On the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, a bold new experiment in education is preparing to take off. Where most high schools measure success in exam scores and sports trophies, this one will measure it in take-off clearances, drone flight hours, and the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals.

KwaZulu-Natal is about to open its first aviation-focused high school — a pioneering initiative led by Fuze Aviation Academy (FAA), a training institution that has already made its mark in the fields of pilot training, aircraft maintenance engineering, and drone operations. From early October, the refurbished Redlands campus, nestled along Old Howick Road, will welcome learners who dream not just of classrooms, but of cockpits.

A School with Wings

At the helm is Dr Thandi Ngcobo, founder and CEO of FAA. For her, the project is about more than establishing another private school — it’s about reshaping how South Africa prepares its young people for industries often seen as inaccessible.

“Too many learners only discover aviation after matric, when the financial and academic barriers seem insurmountable,” she explained in an earlier announcement. “We want to start that journey earlier, in high school, and make the dream feel possible.”

The aviation school promises a hybrid approach: a full Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum — with the rigour of Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, and Life Sciences — enriched by aviation-specific content. Life Orientation classes, for example, won’t just explore health and personal development; they’ll also weave in career awareness, aviation safety culture, and problem-solving under pressure.

Pathways into the Sky

Admission won’t be automatic. Prospective learners must show strong grades (at least level 5 in key subjects such as English, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences), pass aptitude tests, and undergo medical checks. It’s an effort to ensure that students have both the academic foundation and the physical fitness required for future aviation careers.

Once enrolled, learners will progress from Grade 8 through Grade 12, preparing not just for matric but also for the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s recognition of their studies. That recognition is key — it gives graduates a formal bridge into pilot licences, engineering certifications, and drone operations qualifications.

For many, this could cut years (and significant cost) off their pathway into the skies.

Opening Doors in a Closed Industry

South Africa’s aviation sector has often struggled with diversity and accessibility. High costs, limited training pipelines, and a lingering perception of aviation as an elite pursuit have kept many talented young people on the ground.

By establishing a high school model, FAA is attempting to rewrite that story — particularly for Black learners, girls, and students from under-resourced backgrounds. Ngcobo herself is one of the few Black female leaders in the sector, and her presence at the helm is a statement in itself.

“This is not just a school,” an FAA spokesperson told local media. “It’s about transformation, skills development, and giving the province’s youth access to an industry that needs them.”

A Community Invitation

The school will formally introduce itself with an Open Day on 4 October, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and learners will be able to tour classrooms, meet educators, and engage with industry partners. Applications for the first Grade 8–12 intake in January 2026 open the next day via the FAA website.

The atmosphere around Oribi and Pietermaritzburg Airport has already shifted. Local businesses are eyeing the potential for new partnerships, while parents see an opportunity to anchor their children’s futures in a sector that spans everything from commercial aviation to cutting-edge drone technology.

Looking Ahead

Of course, challenges remain. Recruiting qualified aviation-savvy teachers, securing ongoing funding, and balancing academic rigour with specialised training will be no small feat. And like any pioneering model, the school will be watched closely to see if it can deliver on its lofty promises.

But optimism is running high. With a first intake of learners ready to step into refurbished classrooms — and perhaps soon into hangars and control towers — KwaZulu-Natal’s skies may one day be filled with professionals who took their very first lessons not at a flight school, but in a high school designed to dream bigger.

For Pietermaritzburg, this isn’t just a school opening. It’s the start of a story where education and aviation intersect, and where young South Africans learn that the sky is not the limit, but the classroom.