So… you’ve always had that itch for aviation and have now made the decision to scratch it. I’ll be outlining how to get from that desire to day one of ground school. Parts that are more relevant to international students will be marked as such.
- The first thing you want to do is ensure you’re able to hold a Commercial Category medical certificate. Every pilot license needs to be endorsed by the appropriate medical certificate which confirms that you are fit to fly. Every year, a few pilots-in-training find they’re unable to progress their training past PPL, or take massive delays in training while waiting for an exemption due to their medical history or an undiagnosed medical condition.
- (For International students) Now you know you are medically fit and able to hold a Pilot license. The next decision is which Country to complete your training. Training in Europe will cost you a lot more but provides the quickest path to an Airline flightdeck. North America is cheaper but the USA’s immigration laws mean you will have to return to your country upon completion of your training. Canada has more friendly immigration laws but starter jobs tend to have less than ideal working wages and conditions. South Africa and Australia have a number of great institutions and a decent bottom level industry.
- The next step is choosing a flight school. Your choice should be guided by alumni reviews and a tour of the facilities in conjunction with the cost of living in its host city/town. You want to know if the school has jobs available to students that can support you. Integrated programs demand a lot from you and not everyone is cut out for their frantic pace. Smaller flying clubs with fewer airplanes are usually happy to go at a slower pace.
- (For International Students) You’ve decided on a school. Now you should figure out your Visa or Study permit situation. Application times can range from 3 months to a full year, depending on the relationship between your home country and where you’re applying to. Ideally, you want to look up the immigration requirements up to a year in advance of when you hope to start your studies and begin putting your documents together.
Enjoy the journey! The connections you make in flight school are going to follow you through the span of your career for better or for worse.
- Time to ‘Set Thrust! Contact the flight school you’ve chosen, book an introductory flight and begin the admission process. A lot of schools will require a non-refundable deposit of anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 to reserve your spot.
- (For international students) Get all your documents together, fill out all the immigration application forms and wait for your Study Permit/visa.
- The next step is finding accommodation. Ideally, you want to be within walking distance of your flight school. If unattainable, you want to be along the public transit route. This point is moot if you own a vehicle. Flight lessons sometimes require you to be at the school 2 hours or more before the scheduled activity. You have a 6 AM flight, you’ll need to be at the flight school for 4 AM. You may also have flights that bring you back home in the early hours of the morning, outside of public transit hours.
- (For international students) Most airports have taxis waiting at the airport; remember to convert your cash into the local currency and get yourself an international bank card. You won’t go wrong with either Visa or Mastercard. You’re settling into your new home away from home. You’ll want to rebuild your identity. Open a bank account, get yourself a social insurance number, a health card or convert your Driver’s license.
- Enjoy the journey! The connections you make in flight school are going to follow you through the span of your career for better or for worse.