INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Persons seeking flight training must submit a request to the Alien Student Flight Program if they are not citizens or nationals of the U.S. and wish to receive flight training in the U.S. or its territories, regardless of whether training will lead to an FAA certificate or type rating.

Prior to applying, please reach out to one of our instructors to discuss your training goals and availability. Once you and an instructor have agreed to proceed, please follow these steps:

  1. Visit the TSA’s Alien Student Flight Program website at www.flightschoolcandidates.gov.
  2. In the top right of the screen click on Create New Student Account.
  3. Fill out and submit the brief application to create a new account.  The TSA will then provide you with a user ID and a password (sent to your personal e-mail address).
  4. Return to the website and enter your user ID and Password.  Complete the Alien Student Flight Program Student Application.
  5. In the training details section, please enter the following: 
      1. State: Washington (do not choose Washington D.C.)
      2. Provider: Name of your instructor
      3. Course ID#: Private Pilot (PVT101); and if applicable, Instrument Rating (IFR201)
      4. Class Name:  Choose your class name from the pull-down list.  Since all of Alternate Air’s aircraft have a MTOW of less than 12,500 lbs, choose a Category 3 choice.
      5. Aircraft Type:  Cessna 172 and/or Cessna 150.  
      6. Estimated Start Date:  Enter a start date that approximates when you want to commence training.  While this is an estimate, you will not be able to initiate training before the start date, and training must be initiated within 180 days of this date.
      7. Estimated End Date: Enter an end date that approximates when you want to complete training.  Candidates must complete training within 365 days of the Estimated Start Date.
  6. Once you have completed and submitted this application, TSA will request the Alternate Air TSA Director to validate you as a potential student.  Instructors will do so for only those individuals who have previously been in contact with them.
  7. The TSA will then send you instructions for the fingerprinting process.  You will need to complete the fingerprinting process and submit a $130 security threat assessment fee. 
  8. Once the TSA has acknowledged receipt of the required documentation and fees, the Alternate Air TSA Director will be sent a final document approving the student to begin training.
  9. Alternate Air's TSA Director must take a picture and upload the student's photo into the TSA database prior to starting training.

RELATED INFO

AOPA Guide for International Students