How to become a civil aviation pilot. Start in the profession of a pilot: advice to applicants and addresses of educational institutions. How to choose an employer, what to look for

Mar 21, 2016

For many boys, the passion for aviation begins with aeromodelling courses, but few decide on something more serious. For those who, like Howard Hughes, or who intend to be at the helm of an aircraft, the site asked vital questions about flight training to the owner of the flight school, Andrey Borisevich. Heradically changed his whole life to do a business that burns his eyes - he left the Russian media business and founded the ideal school for flying in Miami.

Andrey Borisevich, owner of the SkyEagle Aviation Academy flight school. Photo: Andrey's personal archive.

Andrei, do you teach at the flight school yourself?

I recently received my Ground Instructor certification, which means that I can teach theory courses in the Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot programs. For a long time I really want to finish my training as a full-fledged flight instructor, but administrative functions take up most of the time and there is simply not enough time for my own studies.

What should a person do who decides they want to learn how to fly an airplane?

First of all, decide what it is for. If the goal is to fly for pleasure, then in Russia there are still aviation training centers (I can recommend Chelavia, as the largest in the Moscow region), which can train a private pilot of an aircraft and issue a Russian-style pilot's license. From helicopter training centers, I can advise the proven Heliport, where I got my own helicopter license. After obtaining a private pilot's license (in the Russian Federation it is absurdly called an “amateur pilot” certificate, which is not true), a novice pilot can start flying around Russia on his own or rented aircraft / helicopter.

If the goal is to become a professional pilot civil aviation, then practically the only way is a flight school or academy (Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation, St. Petersburg State University civil aviation, the Krasnokutsk civil aviation flight school) or the same Chelavia, which is currently training commercial pilots in Chelyabinsk.

End of data educational institutions does not yet guarantee employment, because in the Russian Federation there is now an excess of active pilots and there seems to be no shortage for obvious reasons (only after the bankruptcy of Transaero, more than 1,000 qualified pilots appeared on the market).

Cessna 172 over Miami (USA), photo: SkyEagle Aviation Academy.

What is the difference between a business aviation pilot and a civil aviation pilot?

The fundamental difference lies in the schedule of work and flights. A civil aviation pilot flies on schedule, working for a large airline (for example, Aeroflot). Such a pilot winds up 80-90 hours a month, has a fairly tight schedule, plus duty in the reserve crew. Well, such a pilot flies with a large number of passengers “behind”, if it is Airbus or Boeing.

A business aviation pilot works for a small charter operator or private aircraft owner. As a rule, the work schedule of such a pilot is “on call”, when the owner or potential client wants to fly somewhere. These pilots have much less flight hours (20-40 hours per month), but the salary can be much higher because they work for wealthy business jet owners who value safety, loyalty and other qualities of a “personal pilot”.

Who is a Line Pilot?

The line pilot is highest level pilot qualification, which confirms that the pilot has more than 1500 flight hours and passed the exams in accordance with the requirements for a civil aviation line pilot. All captains of aircraft on scheduled flights (in large airlines) definitely have the qualification of “Airline Pilot”. Co-pilots are usually qualified as Commercial Pilot.

Russian student Nikolai Batrakov after completing the PPL program at the Fort Lauderdale Executive airfield (South Florida). Photo: SkyEagle Aviation Academy.

What do you need to start studying at your school?

Only three things:

Wish;
Language (at least at the Advanced level);
Money.

What the cost of studying?

We have many programs and options. We train both private and commercial pilots on airplanes and helicopters. In addition, we give additional ratings (instrument rating for instrument flight, multi-engine rating for flights with two or more engines).

The cost of training starts from 10-12 thousand dollars for a private pilot course and up to 50-55 thousand dollars for a full program from scratch for a commercial pilot of a multi-engine aircraft.

What happens at the end of classes? Can I then fly in Russia, Europe?

After training, the student receives a pilot's license (private or commercial, depending on the chosen program) and can fly around the world in aircraft or helicopters with registration N (this is the first letter in the registration number of American aircraft).

If the holder of such a license wants to fly in other countries on aircraft with a different registration, he must undergo a validation procedure. As a rule, any country in the world recognizes the American certificate and the validation procedure does not present any problems.

Andrei Borisevich with a flight school student who validated a foreign private pilot's license to fly a helicopter for an FAA PPL(h) license, photo: SkyEagle Aviation Academy.

What are the hardest parts of learning?

For foreign students the first problem is the language and radio communication with the control services on English language. 60% of our students who do not pass the exam the first time do it precisely because of the insufficient level of English.

The second tricky part is the theory. It is very voluminous even for private pilots: you need to know the design of the aircraft, weather and forecast maps, US airspace, radio traffic, navigation, flight planning, and so on. This is such a thick textbook of 400 pages. Plus aviation legislation.

What are the advantages of your graduates compared to other schools?

We put a lot of emphasis on theory. Most American schools prefer to give theory to self-study. Books and teaching materials are given out and “if you have questions, you can ask your instructor.” We profess a different approach and be sure to give theory in the classroom with lectures, presentations, educational materials. This helps with passing the exam and makes the pilots more professional, allows you to learn more knowledge. In addition, since the school is owned by foreigners (Russians), we know how to work with foreign students, what they need, we help with cars, accommodation and even meals during the course of study.

At graduation, the license will be the same for any graduate of any US school, but we hope that the knowledge gained in our school will be more complete, better and correct for safe flights around the world.

Piper Arrow aircraft for commercial pilot training (retractable landing gear model). Photo: Piper.

There are statistics, why do the students of your school learn to fly - for a profession or as a hobby?

50 / 50. Most foreign students study for a profession and work as a pilot in their country. American students generally receive only private pilot licenses and sometimes an instrument rating for instrument flight in bad weather. Although among them there are many who dream of making it a profession. Especially now, with a shortage of pilots in US airlines.

How many hours do you need to fly in order not to be afraid to fly a plane?

Depends on a person, minimum program- 35 flight hours. As a rule, the average figure is from 40 to 60, but we consider the pilot confident after 100 hours, of which 40-50 he must fly himself, without an instructor.

Is learning to fly an airplane very different from learning to fly a helicopter?

It differs radically! We have students who already have access to aircraft and now they are studying to fly a helicopter. But there is also a reverse story, now we have three helicopter pilots undergoing training for the plane. Including one instructor who plans to continue working at our school.

What technology is taught in your school?

We have five planes and one helicopter. We mainly use the most popular and common aircraft Cessna C172 () for initial training, in addition, we have Piper Arrow for training commercial pilots (the aircraft must be with retractable landing gear) and Piper Seneca II twin-engine aircraft for training for multi-engine rating.

Cessna 172 Skyhawk. Photo: Cessna Media Gallery.

For students of helicopter programs, we use my favorite Robinson R44 helicopter.

Is it possible to rent a plane at your school like a car and fly to another state? How much does it cost on average?

Of course it is possible. In August, I had a guy from Russia who rented a plane for two weeks and flew all over the Bahamas with his wife, then flew across the country to and from and returned. In two weeks, he flew about 50 hours on his own in the United States. A trip like this costs about $10,000. The aircraft can be rented from $140 per flight hour and more.

Another student plans to take a plane from me to travel with his family to the Bahamas for 4 days, it will cost him about $ 3,000.

Civil aviation - a unified and standardized field human activity. National and international flights are carried out according to the same rules.

Civil aviation pilot training systems practically do not differ between countries. If there is a desire and free funds, anyone can learn to fly an airplane and become a certified amateur pilot.

Pilot training: types

Training programs and skills requirements vary depending on which aircraft and for what purpose the person is going to fly.

In total, there are 3 types of licenses for operating a civil aircraft (in Russia - certificates).

Table 1. Types of piloting licenses.

Type of certificate	Analogue of the license in the USA and Europe	What does it entitle
PPS - Private Pilot License	PPL - private pilot license	management of private small aircraft, without making a profit
SKP - Commercial Pilot License	CPL - commercial pilot license	piloting commercial aircraft (cargo and passenger with a number of restrictions)
SLP - Line Pilot License	ATPL – airline transport pilot license	to control an air vehicle operating line flights (mass passenger transportation, including as a first pilot)

Recreational pilots have the opportunity to obtain a Private Pilot License (PPL).

Where do you learn to fly an airplane?

In Russia, aviation training centers are engaged in training and issuing certificates. As a rule, there are such centers in every region, and in some, for example, in the Moscow region, there is not even one.

Training time - from 6 months. In principle, you can learn to fly faster. But flight schools have their own standards, which do not allow, for example, to fly more than 3 hours a day.

Flight practice is often limited to 1-1.5 hours. However, they do not fly every day. Plus - theoretical lectures.

In flight schools in the USA and Europe, if desired, you can study for 6 months. There are intensive courses in which the full curriculum can be mastered in 3-6 weeks. On an intensive course, they fly daily for 3-6 hours. It is believed that daily practice allows you to learn to fly faster and more efficiently.

How is the flight training going?

In order to learn how to fly, you need to master two courses: theory and practice.

Thematic courses are taught in specialized training centers. Some information can be gleaned from textbooks. Features of the device of the aircraft, its flight characteristics are contained in the operational manual.

Theoretical course for pilots

The pilot must learn the following theoretical aspects:

elements of aerodynamics;
device and design features aircraft;
operation of onboard equipment;
aviation meteorology;
aircraft navigation;
training in pilot-controller slang.

What a person who takes the course should know and what skills should he/she learn:

know the basics of aircraft control;
know the characteristics and operating limitations of a particular aircraft type;
be able to calculate the center of gravity of the aircraft;
be able to calculate the effect of loading on flight characteristics;
have route planning skills;
have an understanding of the principles of control of probabilistic threats and human errors;
have an idea about the algorithm of actions in an emergency;
understand and analyze meteorological reports;
be able to use aeronautical charts;
know aviation codes and abbreviations;
have the ability to communicate with dispatchers.

In fact, all of the above is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Despite the fact that the course is theoretical, the information given on it is purely practical.

All this knowledge and skills are tied to a specific aircraft. Those. theory is given in a limited and dosed way, without loading students with unnecessary information.

The essence of theoretical studies is not that a person knows everything about aerodynamics at the level of an engineering university, but that he has basic information that will make the behavior of an aircraft understandable to him in certain conditions.

Practical course for pilots

Practical classes are held in parallel with the theoretical course. On the first sorties, the aircraft is controlled by an instructor, the student observes and acts as a co-pilot. At a certain flight time, the instructor and the future pilot change places. At this stage, the student assumes the function of the aircraft commander, and the instructor prompts, corrects, and insures him against wrong actions.

In addition to flying during the daytime, it is necessary to learn how to fly at night, according to instruments, in the absence of visual references, to be able to overcome a long flight with several landings.

Table 2. Flying Requirements for Beginner Recreational Pilots in Various Countries

standard	Requirements in different countries
standard	Russia		Europe
Minimum total flight hours	40	40
with an instructor independently along the route
Number of flight hours by instrument	1	3
Hours of night flights	3	3
Number of takeoffs and landings at night	5	10, 1 night flight at a distance of at least 185 km
One long route with the number of landings / takeoffs at various airfields	270 km., 2 at 2 airfields	278 km., 3 on 3 airfields	2 at 2 airfields

As can be seen from the table above, flight training requirements for pilots in the United States are more stringent: they involve a greater number of flights at night, including one long, 3-hour flight in the absence of visual references, and the passage of one route with 3 takeoffs / landings on different airfields.

It should be noted that the flight requirements given are the minimum. Nothing prevents schools from increasing the duration of training, including flight practice, if there are reasons for this (for example, due to the fact that a person is slowly mastering the technique).

In particular, some American flight schools offer intensive three-week pilot training courses with 60 flight hours. At the same time, every week there are 20 hours in the air, which, with daily flights, averages 3 hours a day.

Upon completion of training, pilots pass a theoretical exam and make a control flight. With satisfactory results, aviation The educational center issues a Private Pilot License to the applicant.

What does a Private Pilot License entitle you to?

A licensed private pilot has the right to:

Fly within the borders of the country that issued the certificate on a certain type of aircraft (the one on which the training took place).
Quickly retrain for flying on other types of aircraft.
Having confirmed the Certificate abroad (by passing the exams without training), you can get a license for the right to pilot in any chosen country.

All civil aviation licenses issued in the world are standardized international organization civil aviation (ICAO). This means that they are international driving licenses for private jets.

How much does it cost to learn to fly an airplane?

The cost of training depends on the aviation school, the type of aircraft used. In Russia, you can learn how to fly an airplane for $7,000-$8,000 thousand (500 thousand rubles).

Cheaper schools operate in the US and Europe. However, travel, living expenses, a visa, and a mandatory language exam will bring the total cost of education closer to $8,000-$10,000, and possibly more.

At the same time, American education is traditionally considered the best. At least from an organizational point of view.

What if I want to fly big planes?

You can learn commercial or linear piloting in Russia at specialized higher educational institutions after completing a full 5-year course.

In Europe and in the USA, this is easier. For 8 months you can get a commercial pilot license. For 12 months - become a real pilot of a linear flight with the right to control large passenger liners. The cost of such courses is from $50,000.

Civil aviation pilots are specialists who have devoted themselves entirely to life in the skies. These are fearless people who have challenged fate and gone through many trials. Therefore, anyone who dreams of such a profession should be aware that his life path will become just as difficult and thorny.

And if such a fate does not scare, then let's talk about civil aviation in Russia. Where should you go to study? How long will it take, and how then to look for a job?

The start of a long journey

First of all, you should be aware of the fact that it will take quite a long time to study as a civil aviation pilot. Indeed, unlike a car, flying an aircraft requires extensive knowledge: from its structure to the features of flying in bad weather.

Therefore, it is worth preparing for the fact that you will have to study "tons" educational material. At the same time, it is not just to memorize all the information, but to be able to correctly use it during flights. Especially if in the future you have plans to get a job in a commercial structure.

Flight licenses

Today, all civil aviation pilots are divided into three broad categories. This happens because of the strict licensing system that absolutely all pilots must pass. It is she who subsequently determines what kind of winged machines a person can control.

PPL or private pilot. Possession of this document grants the right to fly small aircraft not intended for cargo transportation. Simply put, a person can fly as much as he likes for his pleasure, but at the same time no one will take him to work.
CPL or commercial pilot. This type of license allows a person to deliver small loads, make tourist overflights and lift paratroopers into the sky.
ATPL or line pilot. What can I say, this is the highest category of pilots, allowing you to fly multi-ton passenger airliners.

civil aviation

As soon as a person decides to embark on this path, he immediately faces a choice: apply to a flight school or limit himself to an aviation school? Oddly enough, both options have their pros and cons, so let's look at them separately.

Let's start with flight schools. here it is higher, since much more time is allocated for pilot training. In addition, students are taught not only piloting, but also other disciplines - physics, advanced mathematics and law. This allows you to educate comprehensively developed pilots who are able to perform their duties with high quality.

As for the minuses, flight schools and academies conduct recruitment based on the state order. This leads to the fact that from 10 to 12 applicants apply for one place. In addition, many accomplished civil aviation pilots say that the technical base of our educational institutions is noticeably outdated. Because of this, their graduates have to take additional courses in order to understand the peculiarities of piloting new aircraft.

But everyone can enter the flight school. Here, more important is whether a person has money for education. The quality of education here is slightly lower, although it largely depends on the school itself and what kind of teachers work there. At the same time, it is worth noting that it is much easier to get a PPL category certificate at an aviation school, since here you can take extracurricular classes.

Moving from one category to another

Both male and female civil aviation pilots in Russia pass the same standards to obtain a license. They are different for each document type, so let's look at them:

A PPL type certificate can be obtained by candidates who have reached the age of 16. To do this, they need to learn 155 hours of theoretical material, as well as fly 47 hours on a Cessna 172 aircraft. On average, training in this category takes from several months to one year, depending on the intensity of classes and the type of educational institution.
Candidates over the age of 18 can receive a CPL type certificate. To do this, they need to have a PPL type license or complete this training course from scratch. In addition, they will have to study more than 600 hours of theory, as well as fly 152 hours in a single-engine aircraft. And at the end of the training, close another 30 hours of flights on a navigation simulator and 12 hours on a multi-engine airplane.
The ATPL type certificate is a more sophisticated version of the CPL license. That is, you will need to learn everything that is in the previous categories, only with a greater depth in practice. In addition, you will have to work out flight simulations on passenger and cargo airliners.

Passage of the medical commission

All civil aviation pilots undergo strict medical checks. At the same time, it is carried out both before the start of training and after its completion. Also, a medical commission will have to be passed annually after getting a job, otherwise the pilot will simply not be allowed to fly.

The difficulty lies in the fact that any flaw or illness can become a reason for a negative conclusion. If we talk about commercial flights, then doctors can ban flights even because a person does not have a couple of teeth. This is due to the fact that such a defect distorts speech, and this, in turn, makes it difficult to communicate with the tower controller.

Finding a suitable job

In search of work, of course, all civil aviation pilots in Russia start from what kind of license they have. So, if you have a CPL, you should try to get a job with a small airline that provides travel services. As an option, you can consider the vacancies of instructors in flight schools, but then you will have to complete additional courses.

Much more prospects open up for those who own the ATPL license. In this case, it is likely that a large airline will offer you a job. But there is only one thing - most likely you will have to enroll in special courses that allow you to master the management of an airliner.

The trouble is that their cost is quite high. Consequently, it will be necessary to conclude a special agreement, according to which the pilot will deduct part of his salary in order to pay off the debt to the airline. In addition, initially a novice is allowed only to the position of a 2nd pilot, since the captain's position requires experience in flying large aircraft (over 1.5 thousand hours).

Responsibilities of a Civil Aviation Pilot

Airlines often disagree on the finer points domestic policy. However, there is something that unites them all - the rigidity of the requirements in relation to their pilots. After all, not only the safety of the aircraft, but also the life of its passengers depends on it.

Therefore, all pilots are required to comply with the following five points:

Fly professionally.
Always follow the safety regulations.
Find out in advance the reports of meteorological services.
Check the condition of the vessel before the start of the flight.
Obediently use the commands and tips of the air traffic controller.

Women Civil Aviation Pilots in Russia

Most people are used to the fact that the pilot is a man. Therefore, for them, a female civil aviation pilot is something out of the ordinary. However, the reality is that both men and the fairer sex can fly the plane. That's just for some reason, even today they are approached by large airliners with caution. And yet in Russia there are examples of women managing such giants.

So, Olga Kirsanova has been piloting a passenger plane weighing more than a hundred tons for several years. She is sure that everyone can get a seat in the cockpit of a winged car - the main thing is to want it with all your heart. What is true, Olga herself had to sweat a lot to achieve her position, since the leadership of her airline could not decide on this appointment for a very long time.

How to become a civil aviation pilot at the age of 30 in Russia - a step-by-step instruction for those who decide to realize their dream in adulthood. Where is it better to study, how much will it cost, and so on.

In Russian aviation, the age of 30 is already considered almost unsuitable for pilot training. Firstly, graduates of higher educational institutions by this age already have a flight time of at least 3-5 thousand hours. By this age they are introduced as commanders (PIC), and it is with this position that most airlines experience difficulties. Co-pilots can be recruited in the hundreds, but there are not enough PICs.

Accordingly, after training, the Russian airline will be more willing to hire a 23-year-old co-pilot than a 30-year-old co-pilot.

Secondly, health standards in Russia are as if pilots are making intergalactic flights. And after 30, the health situation worsens, but the norms remain the same. And if Alexei Kochemasov, who smokes Marlboro, can still get a discount on medical examinations, because of his colossal experience, then a 30-year-old co-pilot without a raid and experience will simply show hell.

And if VLEK is passed, then the airline also understands all the risk factors for deterioration in health with age. What is the point of teaching a graduate to be a type and preparing for a captain if in a couple of years he will be rejected at a physical examination?

Work in Russia

Nevertheless, there are examples when guys at the age of 30 and even 35 were trained as a pilot in Russia. There are two ways to get this education:

Way one. In flight schools in Russia, for example, in the Chelyabinsk flight school "Chelavia". They teach for 2 years, the cost of training is 2,200,000 rubles, after that you need to study at your own expense for a type (or get a job somewhere, which is difficult) and enter extramural at UVAU or St. Petersburg State University.

Way two. Study in Europe or the USA, get an ATPL or even a type permit, then, if you want to work in Russia, also graduate from a university in absentia.

The main thing to understand is that in Russia they require a higher aviation education. Foreign pilot's licenses are difficult to convert, and there is constant news that they will be canceled soon. Getting settled after 30 is hard.

However, if you spend about 100 thousand dollars abroad, get a powerful flight directly on Boeing or Airbus (there are also services for internships for co-pilots), have iron health (without a single article in a military ID), then graduate higher school in Russia, then there are chances for employment. But is it worth it?

Work abroad

In the West, they become pilots not only at 30, but also at 40 and even 45 years old. You can fly with -5 vision there. Health checks are minimal. The quality of education is a hundred times better. Therefore, if you want to become a civil aviation pilot in adulthood, it is worth considering a full move to Europe or America.

In Europe or the USA, people rightly believe that a person becomes more responsible with age. Therefore, there are many cases when a man after 40 works for another 25 years, and rises to the rank of captain.

Many pilots in the West fly with poor eyesight and are aged

Of course it's difficult. The language needs to be learned to perfection, and it's easy to move mountains. But on the other hand, the prospects open up much higher.

When studying in the West, you can get a cheaper CPL license, get an instructor's certificate, and work at some aviation school. And then, having earned a free flight, already improve your education (and chances of finding a job).

In the West, there will be no crises, a fall in the currency, constant layoffs and tightening of medical examination requirements. There, much attention is paid not to idiotic formulas, but to piloting experience, so the quality of education is noticeably higher as a result.

Also, as an option, you can consider working in the CIS countries, China, Africa, and so on.

In this regard, studying abroad in terms of working there is much better than in Russia. And if there is a cherished dream, then for the sake of it it is worth sacrificing your own Muhosransky.

Step-by-step instructions for someone who wants to become a civil aviation pilot

Here, in fact, 10 steps for those who want to become a pilot after 30 years:

Passage of VLEK (if you plan to work in the Russian Federation) and Medicalabroad to assess their capabilities.
Preparation of English and a minimum of 50,000 euros (preferably 100,000).
Obtaining a PPL Private Pilot License.
Obtaining IFR ratings, licenses for single-engine and twin-engine aircraft;
Obtaining a CPL(here you can try to get a job as a co-pilot or in chemistry);
Getting an ATPL;
Training per type;
Internship, raid;
Ratings;
Employment.

By itself, the instruction is short, exemplary, and does not include obtaining licenses for radio communications, passing English at ICAO levels, and so on. As a result, after preparation and a lot of money spent, you will have 770-1000 flying hours, good English, and a great chance of getting a job.

To work in Russia, you will also need to graduate from a university with a degree in pilot engineering.

Considering that all this is very expensive, there is another way - to get a PPL private pilot license, to buy a light aircraft, it will come out in the same 100 thousand. Or - to get only PPL, but to fly in an aero club, the price of such training will be about 8-10 thousand euros plus 100-200 euros per hour of aircraft rental.

Many people who are in love with the sky are trying to conquer its vast expanses. How to become a professional pilot? It is not simple. However, endurance, willpower and a great desire to move forward will allow any person to learn this difficult profession.

Russian legislation gives the right to issue flight permits in three categories:

amateur pilot;
commercial pilot;
line pilot.

How to become a pilot? This question does not leave alone many amateurs and beginners in the field of aviation. To realize your dream, you need to accurately understand and be aware of all the difficulties and problems that a pilot may encounter. Pilot training is a long and laborious process that includes the following:

receiving special education at the university;
flying club training;
obtaining a pilot's license.

University education

How to become an airplane pilot? Get training at a flight school or university. This process is the longest and most laborious, averaging five years. In Russia, there are two flight public schools, which are located in St. Petersburg and Ulyanovsk, the rest of the institutions are branches.

To enter such institutions, a potential pilot must have exceptional health and endurance, so the first step on the way to training is to pass sports standards: time running (100 m and 1000 m), pull-ups on the horizontal bar. If the commission is satisfied with the results of the student, then he enters. It is important to note that if the state of health deteriorates during the training process, a potential pilot may be expelled from the university.

Mostly in schools they study theory, which is taught according to various directions: aircraft design, flight manual, piloting, aviation medicine and more. Upon completion of the course, the pilot is issued a diploma.

Having received the necessary knowledge, a person begins to practice. To get a job as a pilot, a graduate needs to fly on an airplane for about two hundred hours.

Training at the flying club

How to become a pilot? Any specialist must constantly improve and improve their skills. Here, various courses organized in flying clubs come to the rescue, where experienced teachers will talk about the latest in the field of aviation and control test flights.

If a person intends to become an amateur pilot, then it is enough for him to pass full course in the flying club primary education at the Academy of Civil Aviation. However, the Federal Air Transport Agency requires a large amount of practical and theoretical knowledge from the pilots of the flying club.

At the very first lesson, a beginner will be offered to make a test flight together with an instructor and will be told about the operation of the main instruments on the aircraft control panel.

The pilot will have to master the theoretical training on his own, since training in flying clubs is more focused on practice and flying hours.

At the end of the course, the newly-made pilot passes the medical commission of VLEK GA (medical-flight expert commission) for professional suitability.

It is important to know that only flying clubs that have all the necessary certificates and licenses are granted the right to exercise professional activity within the framework of the current law.

Documentation

An amateur pilot who has completed training at an flying club receives a certificate that gives him the right to fly solo in light aircraft, but limits him to work for hire.

A graduate of the flight academy receives a commercial pilot certificate, which allows him to become the commander of a single-engine and multi-engine aircraft.

It is the most difficult thing for a line pilot to obtain a flight license of the appropriate level. The total flight time should be one and a half thousand hours, and health requirements have been increased.

Commercial and line pilots are divided into classes, of which the third is the lowest, the second is the middle, the first is the highest.