Expert: D. Norkus - 7/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Sir,

Hi :) I'm from Malaysia, and I have been scouting around for an answer if :

There is any universities in US,Canada and overseas that offers a Commercial Pilot License?

The rationale for that is because I don't come from a rich family, therefore I'm planning to complete my Private Pilot License in Malaysia, then CPL & ATPL in US, instead of a 4 year degree which will cost a bomb :(
However, I've always wanted to experience university life in the US. :)

Also, I'm considering getting scholarships to fund my studies, is it easily accessible and feasible ?

Please advice.

Btw, I'm female and 155cm.

I would deeply appreciate your help!

Best regards.


ANSWER: Vienna

1) "[Are there] any universities in U.S. that offer a Commercial Pilot License?"

Yes, there are many colleges and universities in the United States that offer flight training and pilot certification as part of an Associates or Bachelors degree program. (I am sure there are others in Canada or elsewhere that must as well but I can't advise on any.)

You can find a directory of U.S. aviation colleges and universities at teh University Aviation Association website-

http://www.uaa.aero

Contact the universities directly for tuition and foreign student information.
   
A bachelors degree from an aviation university in addition to flight training will generally cost $80,000-$100,000 USD or 288,204 to 360,256 MYR. It is not inexpensive to go this route. To most U.S. flight students, it costs a 'bomb' as well! Some students go to flight schools or academy programs unaffiliated with a degree program for this reason.

Additionally, a foreign national wanting to come to the USA for flight training (degree aside), you will be subject to what is called the "Alien Flight Training Rule"/AFTR. After a background check, you will only be allowed to attend certain schools that are approved by the Transportation Security Administration to admit non US citizens. To find out about the AFTR and the approved schools, visit-

http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov

Your costs for any flight program, university or not, will be determined by the institutions rates. Some are more competitive than others. You will have to compare rates at the schools you are eligible to attend under the AFTR.

The U.S. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association explanation of how the rule works works-
http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/

2) "I'm considering getting scholarships to fund my studies, is it easily accessible and feasible ?"

There are a lot of students who would like them, but they are nt that easy to come by. They also are often $1,000-5,000. So even if you could get some scholarship money, it's likely the awards would not cover more than 10-15% of your costs. Such awards are often given by benefactors to certain demographic groups or students at a specific university and are very targeted. To apply for most, you would need to be enrolled in a U.S. university flight program.  The UAA website scholarships page,
http://www.uaa.aero/default.aspx?cid=ZESh4GLrT58=
has a .pdf file that illustrates the types of scholarships available to students.

Organizations for females, both have scholarships:

The International Organization of Women Pilots
http://www.ninety-nines.org/sections.html

The International level of the organization gives several scholarships each year to deserving members of at least one year. Individual chapters also give small awards that are geographically restricted to benefit their areas.

This link gives you some examples of the criteris and kinds of awards that are available-

http://www.flightscholarshio.info

Women In Aviation International
http://www.wai.org

WAI gives out many scholarships each year, but for the most part you must be a very experienced pilot already. This link lists their awards available in 2010-

http://www.wai.org/education/scholarship_list_2010.cfm

Try these links and their message forums for info about becoming a pilot and career info about airline pilot cadet schemes and sponsorships-

http://www.pprune.org

http://www.askcaptainlim.com
(Especially this one since you are in Malaysia.)

Hope this helps,

Miss Dottie Norkus


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Miss Dottie,

Thank you very much for your answer.

However I just want to clarify the following:

Quoted:"Yes, there are many colleges and universities in the United States that offer flight training and pilot certification as part of an Associates or Bachelors degree program. "

So there isn't any Universities(not flying school) which offer CPL by itself without bundling it together as part of an Associates or Bachelors degree program?

Associate degrees in the US for flight training means a two-year degree (which'll include license up to ATPL)?

Much appreciate,
Vienna.  

Answer
Vienna

When you get your Commercial pilot certificate via a U.S. university or college program, you earn it as part of a larger curriculum. The commercial pilot training and coursework is only a small part of the entire degree program which also includes general subjects in addition to your aviation courses. I suppose there have been students who have enrolled and dropped out after only completing part of the degree. For you, this wouldn't be worthwhile as the application process for you to gain admission to a university would be in addition to your AFTR application. If you only want the commercial pilot certificate (plus multi-engine & instrument ratings needed for a career), you should enroll in a flight school or academy program such as 'ATP Flight School' other AFTR approved school.

Also, most aviation university students do not have their ATP certificate when they graduate. The FAA requires pilots to have 1,500 flight hours (plus some other requirements) to get that. New graduates often have only 300-500 hours when they graduate and thus do not qualify for the ATP certificate. Unlike abroad where some countries allow pilots to take ATP theory exams and get a "Frozen ATP" until they get the required flight time, the United States does not allow this. You must have the 1,500 hours minimum to get the ATP.

This site has some informative pages with all the requirements for each certificate or rating, plus other useful information about each:

http://www.flightinfo.com/learntofly.htm

~Dottie