How To Get A Student Pilot Certificate – Flying a plane through the sky is an interesting experience that only a few people are opportune to have, compare to driving a motor vehicle which is readily available for all.
Getting a pilot certificate is more like getting a driver’s license however comes with a lot of checks and paper works. Pilot certificates are not really that hard to get, if you follow the necessary steps and meet the necessary requirements then having them isn’t really that difficult.
So if you desire to get a pilot certificate then you would go through the process which would be listed below. Being a pilot is fun and demands a lot of safety measures, you are either flying a commercial plane or a private one.
So, before you are issued a certificate or license all these needs to be checked.
How To Get A Student Pilot Certificate
A pilot certificate or License is categorized into two different types. These include the Private Pilot certificate/License or The Commercial Pilot Certificate/License.
The Private License and The Commercial Pilot License are both allowed to fly Aero planes, Helicopters, Airships, Power-Lifts, Balloons or Gliders. Also, there is one called the Airline Transport Pilot License limited to some services.
Now the question is how do I get a student pilot certificate. The process includes;
Go For Aviation Program
Before you are even awarded any certificate in Aviation you must have completed a program in an Aviation school, so you know which of the certificate you would be getting at the end of the training.
You have to look for any training school within your country or outside if possible to attain. For students in Nigeria who desire to take an aviation program, there are schools of Aviation in Nigeria with which one can enrol with.
Not all these Aviation Schools offer pilot training, I would recommend just three in Nigeria, International Aviation College, Gibair Aviation Academy and Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
Apply For A Student Pilot Certificate
Student Pilot certificate/License is a license given to students before they can fly Solo. A solo flight is when a new aero plane pilot completes a takeoff, usually a short flight and lands safely by themselves.
To get this certificate there are requirements you have to meet which are;
- Step One: The first step, students should visit the NCAA website for general requirements which include; students not being 16 years and above, knowledge and excellent medical condition, you can visit this link for more info on requirements http://old.ncaa.gov.ng/media/1049/student-pilot.pdf.
Once the student meets all necessary requirements as stated in Part 2 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARS).
- Step Two: After this, the guidelines and requirements can be issued to applicants who wish to apply, this could be hard copies or printed online at https://ncaa.gov.ng/directorates/operations-licensing-training-standards/
- Step Three: The applicants are to attach all the required documents as specified in the Nig. CARs, Part 2; section 2.3.3.
- Step Four: The applicant submits the required documents as specified in the Nig. CARs, Part 2; to the Licensing Office via the Tracking office of NCAA,
- Step Five: Upon receipt of the application and the attached documents, the application will be subjected to an evaluation process in the Licensing Directorate by License Examiners/ASI;
- Step Six: The applicable fee for the authorisation is stipulated in the NCAA Scheme of Charges, the applicant will obtain a payment slip for processing fees and payment is made immediately at a designated bank;
- Step Seven: The teller is presented to the NCAA cash office where an official receipt of payment is obtained and submitted at the Licensing Directorate upon which the application for Issue or Renewal is processed within 48 working hours;
- Step Eight: The applicant is notified of the collection of the signed License which will be released upon presentation of identification or letter of authority from the company;
So once this is done, what next is for you to get your License, with this you are allowed to fly an aircraft solo, however, if denied a written letter of denial would be sent to the applicant within 24 hours informing the applicant reasons for the denial.
The applicant would be advised on the outstanding documents to meet his or her request. if a further process is needed, the applicants would need to submit the outstanding students.
Conclusion
A student pilot certificate is a prerequisite for a pilot student, however, you don’t need one if you are not in a piloting school. The certificate allows you to fly an aircraft solo or under monitoring. The certificate is issued by NCAA in Nigeria, it is advisable you apply on time if you are in piloting school before you get to the solo stage.
We have gathered the process of getting a student pilot certificate, so you don’t hassle around getting worried about how to get a student pilot certificate. we hope you find this insightful.
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a pilot in Nigeria, you might have to spend a lot, however, a short three months course could cost you around 50,000 naira while a standard piloting course 7.5 million naira.
Depending on the type of piloting field you enrol for, piloting training can last around 6 months to 1 year.
To get student pilot’s license, you would need to visit NCAA office in Nigeria.
Yes, however the student would be limited as the student may not act as pilot in command.
No, however, they may withdrawn from the student or suspended.
Getting a student pilot certificate in Nigeria would take you approximately three weeks.
No, Student can only fly under the Visual Fly Rules which means you can fly anywhere at anytime.
Before you request for the pilot student certificate, student have to be 16 years and above anything less would not be allowed. So student should be 16 and above before you can fly solo.
References
- Nigerianfinder.com – How to become a pilot in Nigeria
- Scholarshipsawards.com – Pilot Training or Flight Training Schools in Nigeria
- Ncaa.gov.ng – Student Pilot Authorization
- Wikiprocedure.com – What is a student pilot license
- Aviationfly.com – What is a student pilot license?
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