About Our Enrollment Requirements

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General Outline of Requirements

What you need to know about the enrollment requirements

Flight training in the United States or Canada represents one of the most accessible and efficient pathways to attaining your Commercial Pilot and Airline Pilot licenses and embarking on a prosperous professional aviation career. At Aerocadet, our commitment is to uphold and enhance this accessibility. Our primary goal is to provide all students with the opportunity to experience commercial aviation training, utilizing the learning process to gauge their dedication to this profession and their capacity to succeed within the designated timeframe and budget.

It's essential for all applicants to recognize that aviation training, despite its increased accessibility in recent years, remains a rigorous and demanding endeavor. Pilots must embody a range of crucial qualities including discipline, attention to detail, multitasking ability, rapid learning aptitude, and the capability to make swift, informed decisions.

To begin with, pilots have to possess at least a high school diploma, also known as "secondary education", in order to be eligible to obtain airline transport pilot license. A degree is not required, but it is recommended for consideration after the graduation (at the moment, the most popular way to obtain an aviation degree is through a credited online universities). We have created a list of acceptable high school diplomas for the admission to professional airline pilot programs in the United States or Canada conducted under the Aerocadet umbrella.

Upper-intermediate command of English is a prerequisite for obtaining professional flight crew licenses. This requirement isn't exclusive to the US, Canada, or other English-speaking nations but is mandated across ICAO-regulated countries worldwide. Since 2009, operators flying within ICAO airspace must pass the ICAO English Level 4 exam to demonstrate proficiency in operating radio equipment in English.

Additionally, maintaining good physical health is paramount for obtaining Class 1 medical pilot certification. Pilots must be free from disqualifying medical conditions and maintain a satisfactory level of overall physical fitness.

The financial requirements are all also extremely important in the admission process. The financial status will be checked by the Canadian or the United States consulate upon application for the student loan, where an applicant will need to show sufficient funding for Flight Training and initial living expenses. Aerocadet has created a comprehensive list of financing options, which could be Successful obtained by the applicants with our special SLAS support package.

Detailed requirements regarding all the Aerocadet's Pro-Pilot Programs admissioon requirememts, aligned with the ICAO ATPL licensensing requirements, are elaborated below.

Quick Online Enrollment & Testing

The entire enrollment process for all programs, as well as entrance exams (req. only for student loans) are conducted 100% online. Quick and easy enrollment process integration, document upload and review. Applicatoon form takes only 10-15 minutes. Get approved within 24 hours!

Easy to Pass & Qualify

Enrollment requirements are very basic: there is no need to take pilot aptitude tests (unless looking for financing) that are required by most program providers. We also do not consider your matriculation score as a factor. The full list of our basic requirements is published below.


English Language

What is the minimal required command of English Language for enrollment?

General Knowledge

Students enrolling into the professional pilot programs must demonstrate the following English language standards:

General level "Upper Intermediate" or higher
Be able to converse in English freely
Be able to read and write in English
Have taken and passed an offical academic Englihs test

 

Academic English Test (U.S. Programs)

For enrollment into Airline Pilot program in the United States (FPAP-1, FPAP-IND-US, FPAP-EU and FPAP-AU), students will be required to pass either “IELTS General” (recommended) or “TOEFL” test or "TOEIC" test in order to qualify for F-1 academic student visa. The table of accepted, required and lowest acceptable scores for the US programs is displayed below:

Test / 
Level
TOEFL
Paper
TOEFL
cBT
TOEFL 
iBT
IELTS
Academic
TOEIC
General 

UI

50 underst.
50 speech
16 underst.
16 speech
15 underst.
15 speech
5.5 400

AL

54 underst.
56 speech
20 underst.
22 speech
70 G.S.
19 underst.
22 speech
6.5 600

EL

635 О..B.
60 underst..
60 speech
240 G.S.
25 underst.
24 speech
90 G.S.
26 underst.
26 speech
7.5 780

Level designators

UI

"Upper Intermediate" – it is the minimum level acceptable for the enrollment into Airline Pilot and Commercial Pilot programs. If you get this score, you may be required to undergo additional English language classes at the academy before you can start flight training phase of your program.

AL

"Аdvanced Level" - this is a medium score acceptable for enrollment. If you get this score, you may or may not be required to undergo additional English language classes at the academy before you can start flight training phase of your program.

EL

"Expert Level" - this is a desired score for enrollment. If you get this score, you will not be required to undergo additional English language classes at the academy before you start flight training phase of your program, and you will be admitted to take the ICAO-4 "Operational" aviation English exam immediately after arrival.

Academic English Test (Canada Programs)

For enrollment into Airline Pilot program in Canada (FPAP-C, FPAP-IND), students will be required to pass IELTS Academic test. No other test is acceptable. The lowest acceptable overall score is 6.0. Only one single band score can be 5.5.

(Please note: as of January 1, 2020, the above requirement for English proficiency is set by the Canadian government as a mandatory qualification for the aviation student permit, and can not be waived or negotiated. Applicants who apply for the Canadian visa without the IELTS Academic certificate with the overall score lower than 6.0 and any of the individual scores lower than 5.5 will not be able to obtain the Canadian student permit. No English test waivers are awarded to holders of majority English-speaking countries, such as U.K. or Australia: all student must have IELTS Academic test certificate in order to obtain the Canadian Student Permit visa for flight training with our Canadian FTP)

English Test Waiver (U.S. Degree Programs only)

The consulate will not grant you an English test visa waiver unless you are a legal resident or citizen of one of the following countries placed on the official English test exhemption list:

Antigua and Barbuda Guyana
Australia Ireland
The Bahamas Jamaica
Barbados New Zealand
Belize St Kitts and Nevis
Canada* St Vincent and the Grenadines
Dominica Trinidad and Tobago
Grenada United Kingdom

All other applicants from all other countries must have an Academic English test for Enrollment. ICAO English certificates are not acceptable for enrollment into academic programs.

ICAO English Certificates

Because ICAO English Certificates are not considered to be academic in nature, the US Department of State (visa granting authority) and the college accreditation committee, do not accept ICAO English test certificates as a proof of academic English knowledge.


Medical Fitness

How fit do I need to be to fly as an airline pilot?

In general, most healthy adults are able to obtain the FAA (United States) and TC (Transport Canada) class 1 medical (the highest required medical for the airline pilots). However, there are some specific requirements and disqualifying conditions that you must consider before starting your application.

For detailed information from the goverment sources, you can review the following medical examination standards materials:

Federal Aviation Medical Guide (US) or Transport Canada Medical Guide (Canada)

For the Canada program applicants: due to longer than usual waiting times for the TCX class 1 medical certifiate, we encourage applicants to apply and take Transport Canada Class I medical before arrival in Canada and at the initial application phases. If you elect to take the medical after arrival in Canada - Aerocadet's FTP admin will book you an appointment with the medical examiner in the metropolitan or greater Toronto area. However, some countries allow pilots to take TC Class I medical locally, before arrival in Canada. Please review this page to see if a TC medical examiner is available in your country/region. 


Vision Acuty

Candidate's vision must correspond to the following standards, with or without vision correction lenses:

  • Have a Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.
  • Have a Near vision of 20/40 or better, corrected or uncorrected.
  • Ability to perceive those colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties.
  • Have a Normal fields of vision.
  • Have No acute or chronic pathological condition of either eye or adnexa.
  • Heterophoria must not exceed 1 prism diopter of hyperphoria, 6 prism diopters of esophoria, or 6 prism diopters of exophoria and show no evidence of diplopia or serious eye pathology

Hearing

Candidate's hearing must correspond to the following standards:

  • Be able to hear medical examiner conversing with him/her in a calm and slightly muted voice.

Blood

Candidate's blood pressure and Cholesterol must not exceed the following measurements (unmedicated or medicated):

  • 155 Systolic
  • 95 Diastolic
  • 240 Cholesterol units

Urine

Candidate's content of glucose (sugar) in urine must not exceed (unmedicated or medicated)

  • 0.8 mmol/l (15 mg/dl)

Disqualifying Medical Conditions

Candidate must be free of the following medical conditions:


Medical Waivers

Please note: Candidates who are not free of the disqualifying medical conditions may qualify to receive Class I or II medical under the FAA Medical Waiver Program which applies as following:

When an Airman fails a flight physical, s/he may have the option to appeal the unfavorable aviation medical determination. Disqualifying factors are reviewed on a case by case basis, and some applicants are eventually found medically fit to perform aviation duties and are thus granted an "exception" to FAA policy. In contrast to the US military phraseology, standard FAA terminology and literature does not use the term waiver very often, and their vocabulary confuses many pilots. The process is not that difficult once the words are defined, and the FAA has a mature and established waiver process for civilian pilots with minor problems who intend to pursue flight authorization after they have been found to have a disqualifying medical defect. In fact, over 25,000 US pilots have procured official permission (Authorization) to exercise at least some of their Airman Privileges for a limited period of time +/- operational limitations. These Authorizations can sometimes be issued despite what initially appeared to be a disqualifying medical condition. It is best to discuss the probability of success with your AME before embarking on a costly pursuit of a medical waiver. FAA waivers are simply formal permission slips from the FAA that grant civilian flight privileges to Airman found to have minor medical defects that are technically disqualifying per 14 CFR Part 67. Pilot and public safety comes first, so airmen requesting reconsideration are usually required to undergo additional testing and prove that their condition is stable over time. The burden is on the airman to prove that their condition is truly compatible with aviation duties. Only staff at the FAA higher headquarters (Regional Flight Surgeon or higher) can issue these initial waivers, but once issued, existing waivers can often be renewed by a local AME.

Education

What type of education is acceptable for enrollment?

Because we conduct our flight training program at an accredited academic college that is allowed to issue academic class F-1 visas and employ pilots for internship programs, you must have a certificate of secondary education as a minimal enrollment requirement. 

Your certificate of secondary education can be from any country and must be equivalent to the U.S. High School Diploma or GED, or to the British O-levels. 

In the United States, the qualification is known as the High School Diploma. The same name has been shared with an equivalent qualification awarded in Canada

PLEASE NOTE: We do not have any specific grade or score requirements.

Examples of equivalent certificates:


India

Bangladesh

Pakistan
  • Matric/SSC Secondary School Certificate (Localised Boards)

Sri Lanka
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level

Indonesia
  • Ujian Akhir Nasional (National Final Examination) - Indonesia Higher School Certificate

Malaysia

Singapore
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-level

People's Republic of China

Hong Kong SAR

Israel
  • Bagrut

Jordan
  • Tawjihi

Naturally, we are unable to list here Secondary Education Certificates for all countries. Therefore, for more information on whether or not your academic certificate qualifies for the U.S. or Canada HSD or GED equivalency, please contact our evaluation agency in Florida J.Silny&Co Academic Evaluation Services


Finances

How much money do I need to have on my bank account to qualify for the program enrollment?

Demonstrating sufficient funding for the entire flight training program and the initial six months of living expenses abroad is crucial when applying for a student visa at the United States or Canadian consulate. At Aerocadet, we understand this necessity, and we have tailored comprehensive financing options specifically for international students undergoing training in the United States or Canada.

Aerocadet has meticulously crafted a range of financing solutions to suit the needs of international students. These options are designed to cover the costs of the flight training program as well as the initial living expenses during the training period abroad. Moreover, we have developed a specialized support documentation package to assist our applicants in securing student funding from local banks, businesses, or government organizations.

With our dedicated support and array of financing options, we aim to make the process of funding flight training more manageable and accessible for our international students, ensuring they can focus on achieving their aviation goals without financial worries.

A separate page is dedicated specifically to assist applicants with the financing for training. Revie it here >>>

In addition to the information published above, for our Indian applicants, please read a separate page with a list of banks in India, which can Provide you with a student loan using our SLAS Support package >>>


Student's Character

What is the standard for my background checks?

Pilot License Certification

The FAA and TC aviation authorities will not issue an ATPL license to a pilot who does not possess "Good Moral Character". Specifically, the U.S. law states:

VOLUME 5 (AIRMAN CERTIFICATION), CHAPTER 2 (TITLE 14 CFR PART 61 CERTIFICATION OF PILOTS AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS), Section 18 (Conduct an Airline Transport Pilot Certification, Including Additional Category/Class Rating), Paragraph 5-704 (ELIGIBILITY –ATP CERTIFICATE – AIRPLANE, ROTORCRAFT, AND POWERED LIFT): Section C

  • Good Moral Character Requirement:
    An applicant must be of good moral character. The inspector must ask an applicant if the applicant has been convicted of a felony. If the applicant’s answer is affirmative, the inspector should make further inquiry about the nature and disposition of the conviction. If an inspector has reason to believe an applicant does not qualify for an ATP certificate because of questionable moral character, the inspector must not conduct the practical test. Instead, the inspector will refer the matter to the immediate supervisor for resolution. The supervisor may need to consult with regional counsel for a determination concerning whether the applicant meets the moral character eligibility requirement.

Visa Qualification

In addition to the licensing standards for GMC, U.S. or Canadian Consulate will conduct a quick back ground check for each and every student pilot who wishes to undergo his/her flight training in the United States. As a rule, you must not have any of the following offence:

  • Criminal offence of any nature
  • Reckless driving offence (does not include regular speeding tickets)
  • Drinking and driving offence
  • Bankruptcy record
  • Illegal immigration record 

PLEASE NOTE: Speeding violations, except for "Reckless Driving" are not considered to be a factor when deciding on moral character of an ATPL or Student Visa applicant.


Frequent Questions

Got a question? Hang on, maybe we got an answer for you right here!

Can I enroll with my high school diploma, if I have low grades in physics and mathematics?

Yes, you can. We do not require you to high grades, just a full certificate of secondary education.

I have a Bachelors degree. Do I need to have my certificate of secondary education for enrollment?

Yes, you do.

I studied in the English medium throughout my secondary education. Do I need to take an English test, such as TOEFL or IELTS?

If you studied in English from grade 1 to grade 10, and this is the official language in the education system of your country (such as in India, South Africa, Kenya, Singapore and so on), you do not need to take an additional English test.

I have an ICAO-4 certificate. Do I need to take an English test, such as TOEFL or IELTS?

Yes, you do. You are enrolling into an ACADEMIC program, so you need to get an academic English test. Just an ICAO certification is not sufficient for this enrollment.

I saw the medical requirements on your website. I do not know if I qualify, since I have a couple of health issues. How can I be sure I will pass the FAA class 1 medical?

Very simple. Just go to this link: http://aerocadet.com/requirement#a3 Print out the requirements and take them to your medical doctor. He will screen you in accordance with all the specified on this page criteria and, if everything is okay, you are going to pass the FAA medical test.

How much do I need to have on my bank account to qualify for your popular training and internship program “FPAP-1”?

The U.S. Department of State, which is responsible for issuing student visas of type F-1 variety, demands to see that you, or your sponsor has at least $67,000 USD on the account. The sum must show on the recent bank statement or an official letter from your or your sponsor’s financial institution. Without it, your F-1 student visa application will be rejected.

I have an ICAO PPL. Can I get a discount?

Yes, you can! If you have a current and valid ICAO PPL, you can get a discount of $10,200 USD from either the FPAP-1 program or a full AAS degree program.

Can I work in the U.S. part-time on the student visa?

Yes, shortly after arriving in the U.S, students can apply for work on-campus only. Students are not allowed to work off-campus for the first 12 months from the date of their arrival in the United States. Please note: due to limited availability of non-pilot vacancies on campus, we can not guarantee that students will have an opportunity to work on-campus before achieving their flight instructor licenses.

Can I work in the U.S. as flight instructor?

Yes, in accordance with the CPT program rules, students are allowed to work on-campus as flight instructors. The work hours are limited to 20 hours per week. The pay is limited to $20 USD per flight hour.

Can I work in the U.S. as airline pilot?

Yes, in accordance with the OPT program rules, students are allowed to work for external employers, such as airlines and charter companies. The work hours are limited to 20 hours per week. The pay varies in accordance with specific airline's work rules and pay-scale.

Do I need to buy textbooks and other study materials?

No. All the required textbooks and study materials are included in the program cost estimate.

Is food provided?

Like any other college in the US, we do not provide food, and we do not include its cost in the basic program cost ($56,883). However, the approximate cost of living expenses, including food, is included in the total program cost estimate ($67,000). Students normally use the café at the flight center for lunch. Breakfast and dinner is normally cooked by the students using the campus kitchenettes which are shared between 4-6 students. Flight training center has shuttles that takes students to popular grocery shopping places, such as Waldemar or Public supermarkets in order to stock up on the provisions.

I have an ICAO PPL. Can I get a discount?

Yes, you can! If you have a current and valid ICAO PPL, you can get a discount of $10,200 USD from either the FPAP-1 program or a full AAS degree program.

Can I work in the U.S. part-time on the student visa?

Yes, shortly after arriving in the U.S, students can apply for work on-campus only. Students are not allowed to work off-campus for the first 12 months from the date of their arrival in the United States. Please note: due to limited availability of non-pilot vacancies on campus, we can not guarantee that students will have an opportunity to work on-campus before achieving their flight instructor licenses.

Can I work in the U.S. as flight instructor?

Yes, in accordance with the CPT program rules, students are allowed to work on-campus as flight instructors. The work hours are limited to 20 hours per week. The pay is limited to $20 USD per flight hour.

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