Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/4/2011

Question
hello sir,
am 26 years old and live in Sudan  and I've been wanting to start a flying career...i was suggested by a friend that Ukraine and Russia have a good and not so expensive flying schools, i was wondering if they are right? do i have to have any experience ? what i need to begin? how do i register to school their ? and also do you have any idea what the total coast would be to get my PPL and ATPL license? and what requirements do schools ask for as a beginner...and just any suggestions you can give me about anything
thank you!!!

Answer
Hi, Wael:

Thank you for your questions, I will try to assist.

With regard to flying schools in the Ukraine and Russia, I am not an expert in that.  

I can help with some general suggestions for you about selecting a flight school, for example:

When selecting a flight school, consider the following:

1.  Is the training that you receive certificated and approved to international standards approved by one of the recognized, international civil aviation agencies such as ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) or by the U. S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA);  without such approval, your training will not be internchangeable and recognized in other natins;

2.  Cost/affordability---the costs here in the USA for everything up through a PPL, a commercial certificate (with an instrument rating and a multi engine rating, as well as a flight instructor certificate so that you can teach others to fly) will be in the area of $40,000 to $60,000 (in US dollars).  You should be able to earn the prior certificates and licenses in about 300 flight hours for the costs noted.  An Air Transport Pilot Certificate here requires 1500 flight hours...so, many more flight hours and more costs (unless you earn the flight hours above 300 by flying for hire and working your way to the flight hour totals needed for certification);

3.  Quality--not withstanding the approvals mentioned in #1 above, are the instructors and faculty who are teaching you themselves well-trained, and are the aircraft well-maintained, etc?

4.  Educational value:  Is the training connected in any way to a post-secondary aviation education organization (a college or university).  Usually, such programs, if connected to colleges or universities, are of high quality and also allow you to pursue an aviation degree (which can help make you more competitive).

I hope that these suggestions are of help to you.

Please contact me if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer