DGCA + FAA India Pilot Program

Academy of Aviation in the USA welcomes flight training students from India.

Start your journey with Academy of Aviation by filling out the questionnaire below. Please be as detailed in your answers as possible. An AoA International Admissions repesentative will then respond and assist you further. Thank you for your interest in studying abroad at Academy of Aviation.

Indian Student Required Information

Please read all of the information presented below. We have compiled this page specifically for students from India only, who wish to become a pilot by training in the USA. This page contasins everything you need to meet DGCA requirements for easy co-validation.

**F1 Visa for Flight Schools Has Been Discontinued.** The Student and Exchange Visa Program (SEVP/SEVIS) in late August 2021 determined that a degree program will be required, along with flight training, in order to offer the F-1 Visa. Read more at: F-1 Visa Information.

Minimum Qualifications to Enroll with Academy of Aviation

17+ years of age
Passport with 2+ years until expiration
Proof of funding to present to the US Embassy during your student visa interview (approximately $35,000 - $45,000)
Able to obtain a minimum 3rd Class FAA Medical
Proficient level of English (evaluated by Admission Team)
High school diploma or equivalent.

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NC/GA/NY Locations: PPL-CPL (Single + Multi) Course Details

Estimate your Duration of Training: International students are scheduled 5 days per week and our training sessions are 2 hours. Therefore, you can estimate 8-10 hours of flight per week. Referring to your quote above, in the section labeled "Total Logged Time", you can divide those hours by 10 for an estimate of weeks in order to complete all of your training.

Example Payment Schedule: Payment Schedule based on C-152** with a start date of January 11, 2022. You are only contracted for your tuition estimated at $45,695 and will pay checkride, written, non-tuition and pilot supplies fees as they become due. The first payment due after you are issued the visa, a minimum of 1 week prior to arrival, is $5,000.

1/11/2022: $5,000 + $400 Cessna kit (non tuition fee) = $5,400
2/11/2022: $7,139
3/11/2022: $7,139
4/11/2022: $7,139
5/11/2022: $7,139
6/11/2022: $7,139

*Aircraft upgrade to the C-172 G1000, add approximately $1,500 to each monthly payment.
**If you are 6+ feet tall and/or 200+ lbs, you are not eligible to fly the C152 due to the compact size of the aircraft.

NOTICE: Farmingdale Campus Additional Non-Tuition Landing Fee: $2-$3 per flight

Class Start Dates: The 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Curricular Practical Training Eligibility: On the M1 visa students are eligible for unpaid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) when they complete their CFI, CFII and/or MEI. Calculated by USCIS as 1 month of CPT for every 4 complete months of training, maximum of 6 months. Read more about CPT at Curricular Practical Training.

Logging Hours to Airline Minimums: You can always enroll for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single and Multi Engine Pilot Program to start and decide later, while you are at the school, to continue with your Flight Instructor Ratings (CFI, CFII and MEI).

The tuition costs are approximately $20,000 for the 3 Flight Instructor courses and the maximum tuition reimbursement is up to $10,000. Making the decision when you are nearing completion of your CPL is what we advise, so that we can properly evaluate how much Curricular Practical Training you would be eligible for.

You would still be eligible to train other students in order to log up to 1,000 total hours and for the tuition reimbursement offer.

Flight Instructor Tuition Reimbursement Offer: Up to $10,000 upon completion of all of your flight training AND approved CPT by USCIS. Your total estimated tuition reimbursement will be calculated upon approval by USCIS. Only USCIS can approve CPT; no school can guarantee you CPT because it is not within the school's authority. You cannot be paid to work as a Flight Instructor on the M1 visa!

FAA Medical: Depending on your career goals, students should obtain a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Class FAA Medical before arriving to Academy of Aviation. You can typically find FAA Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) at major airports in every country. If not, please review disqualifying medical conditions and medications that may prevent you from obtaining the necessary medical certificate in order to conduct flight training in the United States.

Our Admissions Team and staff are not AMEs, doctors or medical professionals so we cannot appropriately advise on what would or would not be a disqualifying condition or medication. If you are concerned about your ability to obtain your FAA medical certificate and there are no AMEs within a reasonable distance to you in your country, we advise you to obtain your country's aviation medical certificate prior to beginning the enrollment process with Academy of Aviation. This will be a good indicator of your eligibility for the FAA medical certificate when there are no other options.

Student Housing Options and Transportation Information

Charlotte Area Campus: (AKH) Gastonia, North Carolina
$1,000 per month Private Room
10 minute drive/e-bike * 15 minute bicycle ride * 25 minute walk
Fully furnished, utilities and wifi included.

Atlanta Area Campus: (FFC) Peachtree City, Georgia
$1,000 per month Private Room
10 minute drive/e-bike * 15 minute bicycle ride * 25 minute walk
Fully furnished, utilities and wifi included.

Long Island Campus: (FRG) Farmingdale, New York
$1,300 per month Private Room
10 minute drive/e-bike * 15 minute bicycle ride * 25 minute walk
Fully furnished, utilities and wifi included.

$1,500 per month Private Crew Quarters (hotel room) at Republic Airport
1 minute drive/e-bike * 5 minute bicycle ride * 10 minute walk
Fully furnished, utilities and wifi included.

White Plains Campus: (HPN) White Plains, New York
No student housing available.

Is is certainly not mandatory that student's reside in student housing. Any housing arrangement within a reasonable commuting distance (max 45 minute commute) is acceptable. Many students become familiar with the area within 2-3 months and often relocate to alternative housing. Upon arrival, students may request to be put on the "Roommates List" if they would like to share a room for a reduced monthly cost. When a shared room and roommate situation becomes available, their living arrangements will be reorganized for the following month. There is no guarantee nor reservation for a shared room nor roommate option prior to a student's arrival. All students must budget for private room costs.

Due to insurance and liability, Academy of Aviation does not offer transportation at this time at any of the campuses. Students can obtain their own vehicle, utilize Uber or bus/train, and e-bike/scooter or bicycle.