Frequently Asked Questions
Get Some Answers to the Most Asked Questions
Here are some general questions about the aviation training industry with straight-forward answers to provide you with some insight in making your decision.
- What are the steps to becoming a student in this program?
- I am an international student, how do I apply for a visa to learn to fly in the United States?
- Is simulator training better than actual flight experience?
- What is a 141 school?
- What is a 142 Training Center?
- What is an AATD?
- What is Computer Based Training?
- Is training in aircraft equipped with a glass cockpit better than conventional instruments?
- Can I log the time I receive in the full-flight-simulator?
- Are the aircraft I will be flying equipped with an autopilot?
- What is the experience level of the management and instructor staff?
- Is delaying my airline pilot career while working as a flight instructor a viable option?
- How long will it take to complete my ratings?
- What are the course start dates?
- Are the accommodations shared?
- Will I keep the same flight instructor?
- What is a training partner?
- What will happen if I do not get along with my partner or instructor?
- Do I have to pay all my money "up front"?
- Are pilot examiners independent or do they work for the school?
- Do I need a student visa to fly in the US?
- What is TSA and AFSP?
- Are the aircraft insured?
- What about health insurance while I am in the US?
- Will I need to rent or buy a car?
- I have a non US license, how should I convert it to an FAA equivalent?
- How often will I fly?
- How do I pay for the training package?
- What is the best month to train?
- What is the dress code at the flight school?
- Why are uniforms required?
- Do I need to have an FAA Medical certificate?
- What is a Type Rating?
1. What are the steps to becoming a student in this program?
The first step is to complete our online Application Form and submit a $500 refundable deposit.
For complete details for getting started, see Program Enrollment – Step 1 at the bottom of the page of the specific course you are interested in, i.e. US, European, Indian, or Type Rating.
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2. I am an international student, how do I apply for a visa to learn to fly in the United States?
Once you have completed Step 1 and 2 of the Enrollment Process, the next step is to go on line and apply for an M-1 Visa.
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3. Is simulator training better than actual flight experience?
Flight training in a simulator is the most efficient way to learn how to fly. Rain of shine, simulator flight training will prepare you to be a competent pilot in the shortest amount of time.
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A 141 flight training school has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 141 to conduct and maintain the highest standard of flight training.
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5. What is a 142 Training Center?
A 142 Training Center has been approved under by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 142 to conduct airline training in large commercial aircraft using Full flight Simulators (FFS).
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AATD stands for Advanced Aviation Training Device. These very efficient aircraft simulators duplicate a fully functioning cockpit of an aircraft, with a full visual display, and can be “flown” like an aircraft for all phases of flight training. Although AATDs do not move like the Full Flight Simulators, they are a valuable training tool for high level flight training.
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7. What is Computer Based Training?
Computer Based Training (CBT) is a ground training system that is accomplished on line using training programs designed to train specific topics.
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8. Is training in aircraft equipped with a glass cockpit better than conventional instruments?
We have found that students who do their training using conventional instruments are more proficient at the basic instrument flying skills than students who learn in glass cockpit aircraft. The airlines realize this as well, and will hire competent non-glass trained pilots. It is an accepted fact that pilots with strong conventional analogue instrument skills can easily transition to the glass cockpit environment.
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9. Can I log the time I receive in the full-flight-simulator?
Yes, you will receive 38 hours of logable flight time in a Full Flight Simulator when you receive your B737 Type Rating. This is also considered flight time by the DGCA.
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10. Are the aircraft I will be flying equipped with an autopilot?
The training aircraft you will fly for your private, instrument and commercial licenses are not equipped with an autopilot. However, because the autopilot is critical to flying modern commercial jet aircraft, you will be fully trained to use the autopilot when doing your B737 Type Rating in the Full flight Simulator.
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11. What is the experience level of the management and instructor staff?
Members of both the management and instructor team have airline experience. All instructors are FAA certified or FAA certified as applicable.
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12. Is delaying my airline pilot career while working as a flight instructor a viable option?
Any delay to getting hired by a commercial jet carrier is costly. Because the importance of seniority in the airline business, your goal should be to get hired with a Jet airline soon as possible. However, if necessary, working as a flight instructor is an excellent way to build flight time.
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13. How long will it take to complete my ratings?
In this program, it is possible to go from 0 time to commercial pilot with a B737 type rating and over 230 hours of flight time in just 7 months.
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14. What are the course start dates?
A new class starts the second Monday of every month.
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15. Are the accommodations shared?
You may plan to share your accommodations with one or two other students. Typical accommodations include a kitchen and bathroom.
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16. Will I keep the same flight instructor?
We try to keep you and your training partner together with the same instructor throughout the course.
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17. Will I have a training partner?
At the beginning of your training you and another student will be assigned to train as partners for the duration of the course. Airlines traditionally pair pilots to train as partners for all phases of training.
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18. What will happen if I do not get along with my partner or instructor?
Should a conflict arise, we will take whatever steps necessary to resolve the problem, as a last resort, we will consider changing partners or instructors.
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19. Do I have to pay all my money "up front"?
No, you can pay in 4 to 5 installments, depending on the training program.
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20. Are pilot examiners independent or do they work for the school?
Flight Examiners for FAA ratings are both in house FAA certified examiners and independent FAA examiners, ensuring continuous external monitoring of our training standards.
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21. Do I need a student visa to fly in the US?
As a non US citizen, you are required to have either an alien residence card (Green Card), or obtain an M-1 training visa prior to commencing training. We will assistance you with the application process.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all non US students enrolled in Flight Training to be approved through the Alien Flight School Program (AFSP).
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Yes they are.
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24. What about health insurance while I am in the US?
Health insurance for international students is included in the total cost of the program.
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25. Will I need to rent or buy a car?
This is your option; public transportation is available for all training events.
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26. I have a non US license, how should I convert it to an FAA equivalent?
This is handled on an individual basis. To complete our program, it is necessary to convert to the FAA System. We will assist you with this process. You will also be required to pass an in house evaluation to determine your level of competency.
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You should be scheduled to complete at a minimum of 4 training events in either, an airplane, a simulator, ground school, or training lab, a week.
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28. How do I pay for the training package?
The initial deposits are paid via PayPal, the remaining installments can be paid via bank transfer, cash or check. Your payment details will be worked out with our enrollment coordinator.
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29. What is the best month to train?
This is not an issue, we train year round.
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30. What is the dress code at the flight school?
All students are required to wear a pilot uniform for all training events. You purchase uniforms when you arrive in the US.
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31. Why are uniforms required?
It has been our experience, in training over 1000 airline pilot candidates, that wearing the uniform sets a standard of excellence during training that is carried over to the airline when the candidate is hired.
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32. Do I need to have an FAA Medical certificate?
Yes. You must have a First Class FAA Medical Certificate prior to beginning this course. This is included in the cost of the program and will be obtained when you arrive at the school.
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This is an additional rating which is required to fly large aircraft (weighing over 12,000 pounds).
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