TSA Requirements to Begin Flight Training

Unfortunately, the events of 9/11 brought some restrictions for non-US citizens wishing to receive flight training in the United States. The US government requires all flight schools and flight instructors to verify the citizenship of all students before flight training can begin. All non-US citizens wanting to apply for a certificate or rating are required to complete the approval process through the US Transportation Security Administration. This process applies to ALL non-US citizens, even those that hold a permanent resident “green card”.

This process is NOT needed for pilots wishing to do Cirrus Transition Training, proficiency training, recurrent training or flight reviews. It is only needed for training leading to a new certificate or rating.

To begin the process, go to http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov

Here you will be asked basic info about yourself to open an account. You will also have to pick the flight school you want to train at from a drop down list. Choose the individual instructor's name that you have been assigned to work with. You will be asked to fill in questions about what course and course number etc. Simply fill in “Private Pilot Single Engine Land” or “Instrument Rating” as appropriate. For course number, use the following chart. Under course description, simply put “ground and flight training”.

Course	Course Number
Private Pilot Single Engine Land	01
Private Pilot Multi-Engine Land	02
Instrument Rating	03
Commercial Single Engine	04
Commercial Multi-Engine	05
Initial Certified Flight Instructor	06
Instrument Flight Instructor	07
Multi-Engine Instructor	08
ATP Single Engine	09
ATP Multi-Engine	10

There are multiple links on the TSA page that will describe and guide you through the process. After you finish the application process and pay the $130 fee you will need to send in fingerprints to the TSA. There is a facility on the field here at Opa Locka that can do the fingerprints and send them in for you.

This entire process only takes 4 or 5 days if you already have the correct VISA or if you do not require one.

AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a very helpful page that puts a great deal of this information into an easy to understand format. You can see this page at http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/