Questions from students and parents.

Under FAA rules you can fly solo at 16 and hold a private pilot licence at 17, a commercial licence at 18 (14 CFR 61.83, 61.103, 61.123). EASA uses 16 and 17 for solo and PPL, and 18 for CPL. Younger students can start EASA ground-school study first.

None. Most students start from zero. Good maths and physics help, and you need a good level of English.

We send you our pilot pathway assessment and English language test by email. Complete both online and we list you for the next EASA ground school classes. An aviation advisor is available on WhatsApp if you have questions.

Pilots use English every day: manuals, instructors and air traffic control. Pilots flying internationally need ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 or above, assessed by an approved assessor. Our test shows where your English is today so we can place you in the right class.

FAA licences are issued by the United States regulator and EASA licences by the European Union regulator. Both train you to a high standard, but each licence lets you fly aircraft on its own register, so airlines expect the licence that matches where you'll work. We build your training on the FAA licence in Florida for practical reasons: flying there is more affordable and more available, the weather allows flying almost every day of the year, and a huge network of airports gives you real cross-country experience, so you build hours faster. You study the EASA theory online alongside the flying from the start, then convert your FAA licence to an EASA licence once the flying is done — an internationally recognised licence for European or Gulf airlines, built on the most efficient flight training. We explain every route honestly so you can choose with your eyes open.

The theory part of your training, delivered entirely online by our approved EASA ground school partner, an EASA-approved training organisation. The course meets all European regulatory standards. Take it as an after-school activity, hosted by your school or online at home, at your own pace. Complete the EASA PPL theory before you fly your PPL in Florida. The 13 EASA ATPL theory exams follow, also after school, and you can start the commercial flying before they are all done. We suggest doing the FAA PPL as well: you sit the FAA knowledge test before flying and complete the FAA licence in Florida.

Yes. Your training is built on the FAA licence, and you can convert it to an EASA licence for Europe. We help you through theory, skills assessment and licence issue with our EU partner ($17,550 package).

The ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) is the licence an airline captain holds. You hold a "frozen" ATPL once you have a commercial licence with instrument and multi-engine ratings and have passed all the ATPL theory exams — in other words, everything an airline first officer needs except the flight hours. It becomes a full ATPL once you build the required hours (around 1,500 for a US ATP). A frozen ATPL is what most airlines look for when they hire first officers.

No. We explain the options and recommend what fits you. Where we recommend a training partner, we tell you so.

The Professional Pilot Programme (CPL, ME and IR) is US$88,000, paid by bank transfer. It covers up to 240 flight hours including 10 hours of multi-engine time, all exam fees, up to 12 months' accommodation during the commercial training, transport between your accommodation and the airport, and collection from and drop-off at Miami International Airport. The Summer PPL is US$19,500. Every family also receives a full written breakdown before committing.

Yes. You can pay the US$88,000 programme in a single payment or in four instalments — the total is the same either way, with no interest or added fees: 40% (US$35,200) on enrolment to secure your place; 20% (US$17,600) before you arrive in Florida; 20% (US$17,600) before the instrument rating phase; and 20% (US$17,600) before the commercial and multi-engine phase.

No. The programme costs US$88,000 whether you pay in full or in instalments.

Payments are made by bank transfer, with bank details on your enrolment confirmation and every invoice. For the PPL, the theory course is paid before it starts and flight training and accommodation before you arrive in Florida. For the professional programme, theory and training software are by subscription with our partner, and flight training and accommodation are paid in full or in the four instalments above. If you'd prefer to pay by card, contact us first and we'll confirm the options.

Flight training pauses until the outstanding instalment is paid in full. Ground study and theory can continue in the meantime, and flying resumes at the next available slot once payment clears. You remain responsible for any extra costs a pause causes, such as longer accommodation or refresher flights.

Separate from your course fee, the US government charges three fixed fees, paid directly to the authorities: the SEVIS I-901 fee (US$350), the M-1 visa application fee (US$185) and the TSA Flight Training Security Program fee (US$140) — about US$675 in total. These are set by the US authorities and can change, so check the official sites before paying. You'll also budget for your FAA medical and your travel.

For a professional career, a Class 1 medical from an approved aviation medical examiner. Take it early, before paying for training. For a private licence, an FAA third-class medical is enough, or an EASA Class 2 if you plan to convert.

For a professional career you need an FAA First Class medical from an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Do it early — before you pay for training — so any question is resolved up front. Complete the online FAA MedXPress application (Form 8500-8) at medxpress.faa.gov, then book an exam with a First Class AME. You can do this in your home country before you travel (find an AME on the FAA Designee Locator at designee.faa.gov) or in Florida after you arrive; we recommend before you travel. Bring your passport, MedXPress confirmation, any glasses or contact-lens prescription, and relevant medical records. If you later convert to an EASA licence, you'll also need an EASA Class 1 medical.

International students train on an M-1 vocational student visa. The steps: (1) Global Flight Training Solutions (GFTS), our SEVP-certified partner school in Florida, issues your Form I-20 once you send your passport scan and proof of funds — get this before paying any course fee; (2) pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (US$350) at fmjfee.com; (3) complete the DS-160 application online; (4) pay the US$185 visa fee and book your interview at your nearest US embassy or consulate; (5) attend the interview with your passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, I-901 receipt and proof of funds. Your passport must stay valid for your whole training period plus six months. M-1 students may not work in the US and must keep up a full course of study. We help with every step, including the embassy appointment.

Every non-US citizen needs approval from the US Transportation Security Administration before any flight training. You create a candidate account on the TSA Flight Training Security Program portal, submit a training request naming GFTS, pay the US$140 fee, and give fingerprints at an approved location (this can be done after you arrive). Approval comes by email, and flying can't begin until it does. One approval is valid for five years, so it normally covers your PPL, instrument, commercial and multi-engine training. We guide you through it.

Everything is done online — there are no paper forms to download, and GFTS issues your Form I-20 to you. The official sites:

• ceac.state.gov — M-1 visa application (DS-160)
• fmjfee.com — SEVIS I-901 fee payment
• usembassy.gov — US visa appointment at your embassy or consulate
• fts.tsa.dhs.gov — TSA Flight Training Security Program
• medxpress.faa.gov — FAA medical (MedXPress, Form 8500-8)
• designee.faa.gov — find an FAA medical examiner near you

Bring your passport with the M-1 visa, your Form I-20 and SEVIS I-901 receipt, your TSA approval email (if it's through), proof of funds, and your medical records with any glasses or contact-lens prescription. When you land, we collect you from Miami International Airport and take you to your accommodation.