1. What are the steps to becoming a student in this program?
2. I am an international student, how do I apply for a visa to learn to fly in the United States?
3. Is simulator training better than actual flight experience?
4. What is a 141 school?
5. What is a 142 Training Center?
6. What is an AATD?
7. What is Computer Based Training?
8. Is training in aircraft equipped with a glass cockpit better than standard analog instruments?
9. Can I log the time I receive in the full-flight-?
10. Are the aircraft I will be flying equipped with an autopilot?
11. What is the experience level of the management and instructor staff?
12. Is delaying my airline pilot career while working as a flight instructor a viable option?
13. How long will it take to complete my ratings?
14. What are the course start dates?
15. Are the accommodations shared?
16. Will I keep the same flight instructor?
17. Will I have a training partner?
18. What will happen if I do not get along with my partner or instructor?
19. Do I have to pay all my money "up front"?
20. Are pilot examiners independent or do they work for the school?
21. Do I need a student visa to fly in the US?
22. What is the TSA?
23. Are the aircraft insured?
24. What about health insurance while I am in the US?
25. Will I need to rent a car?
26. I have a non US license, how should I convert it to an FAA equivalent?
27. How often will I fly?
28. How do I pay for the training package?
29. What is the best month to train?
30. What is the dress code at the flight school?
31. Why are uniforms required?
32. Do I need to have an FAA Medical certificate?
33. What is a Type Rating?

1. What are the steps to becoming a student in this program?

Getting Started Domestic Student »

Getting Started International Student »

2. I am an international student, how do I apply for a visa to learn to fly in the United States?

Once you have decided on the school you wish to attend, the next step is to click on
Getting Started Non-US Student

3. Is simulator training better than actual flight experience?

See How it WorksFlight training in a simulator is the most efficient way to learn how to fly, and that is why all airlines use simulators for 100% of their flight training. Rain of shine, simulator flight training will prepare you to be a competent pilot in the shortest amount of time.

4. What is a 141 school?

A 141 flight training school has been approved under Federal regulations Part 141 to conduct and maintain and the highest standard of flight training. 

5. What is a 142 Training Center?

A 142 Training Center has been approved under Federal regulations Part 142 to conduct airline training in large commercial aircraft using Full flight Simulators (FFS).

6. What is an AATD?

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.  

7. What is Computer Based Training?

Computer Based Training (CBT) is a ground training system that uses the computer for interactive programs designed to train specific topics.

8. Is training in aircraft equipped with a glass cockpit better than standard analog instruments?

All students will receive training in a glass cockpit, however, we have found that students who do all of their initial training in glass cockpit aircraft do not learn the basic instrument skills required to be proficient instrument pilots, especially when dealing with the requirements of the airline environment. The airlines realize this as well, preferring to hire competent glass and non-glass trained pilots over all glass trained pilots. It is an accepted fact that pilots with strong conventional (non-glass) instrument skills easily transition to the glass cockpit environment .

9. Can I log the time I receive in the full-flight-simulator?

Yes, you will receive 50 hours of logable flight time in a Full Flight Simulator when you receive your B737 Type Rating.

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.

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.

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 of the importance of seniority in the airline business, your goal must be to get hired with a Jet airline soon as possible..

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 in 8 months..

14. What are the course start dates?

A new class starts the first Monday of every month.

15. Are the accommodations shared?

Students taking advantage of the accommodations package may plan to share accommodations with one or two other students. Typical accommodations include a kitchen and bathroom.

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.

17. Will I have a training partner?

Yes, At the beginning of your training you will be assigned a training partner which you will keep for the entire course.

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.

19. Do I have to pay all my money "up front"??

The total course price must be paid prior to the first day of class, however, your money is held in a third party trust and dispersed to the school as training is accomplished.

20. Are pilot examiners independent or do they work for the school?

We use both in house and independent FAA examiners.

21. Do I need a student visa to fly in the US?

As an non US citizen, you are required to obtain an M-1 training visa prior to commencing training. We will assistance you with the application process.

22. What is the TSA?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires all non US students enrolled in Flight Training to be approved through the Alien Flight School Program (AFSP).

23. Are the aircraft insured?

Yes they are. 

24. What about health insurance while I am in the US?

International students on a visa will be covered for health insurance.

25. Will I need to rent a car?

Depending on the program, personal transportation may be necessary.

26. I have a non US license, how should I convert it to an FAA equivalent?

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.

27. How often will I fly?

You will be scheduled to complete a minimum of 4 training sessions in either an
airplane, a simulator, or training lab, each week.

28. How do I pay for the training package?

With the exception of the initial deposit, payments are made via bank transfer or certified check. The payment details must be worked out with our enrollment coordinator.

29. What is the best month to train?

This is not an issue, we train year round.

30. What is the dress code at the flight school?

All students are required to wear a pilot uniform for all training events.

31. Why are uniforms required?

It has been our experience, in training over 700 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.

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.  International students will be scheduled to take an FAA medical examination upon arrival in the US.

33. What is a Type Rating?

This is an additional rating which is required to fly large aircraft (weighing over 12,000 pounds).