General Information

Non-US Citizen Information

I am not a United States citizen. What opportunities are there for me?
Tragically, our organizational structure does not lend itself to acting as legal counsel for the purpose of resolving right to work issues. We are not credibly aware of work issues in all other countries. However, we are constantly seeking non-U.S. pilots in other countries to act as mentors and intelligence sources so as to further expand our network and outreach capability.

I am a citizen and pilot in another country. I want to come to work and/or train in the United States. What can I expect from OBAP?
Due to the limited resources that OBAP operates with, OBAP is unable to offer any form of financial assistance to anyone other that pilots who have already earned the private pilots certificate and have the legal right to work in the United States. This does not mean that some aviation training institutions do not offer such assistance. Nor do we currently have records of such institutions. OBAP will provide as much mentoring as our organization has to insure the success of any OBAP member. However, we cannot assure success.

PPDP Information

May I enroll in your PPDP?
Once you join OBAP you are automatically enrolled in the PPDP

FUNDING

Funding Training

Where do I find money to finance my aviation training?
We strongly suggest that you consult with the financial officer of schools that you are considering for your educational training. These financial administrators commit fulltime to being aware of all financial options available to potential students.

What financial assistance does OBAP offer?
Please refer to PROGRAMS to review assistance information.

CAREERS IN AVIATION

What career fields are there available for a PROFESSIONAL PILOT?
Previously we used the term recreational pilot – someone who flies for the joy of airmanship. However, many individuals are compensated for being a pilot. Although the following is very simplified, it does explain the basic professional opportunities available for professional pilots. A general job description is also given.
Commercial Pilot – pilots receiving compensation in smaller aircrafts types or acting as second in command or flight engineer on larger aircraft types.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or Certified Flight Instructor Instruments (CFII) – Instead of being the pilot learning, you are now the pilot instructing.
Corporate Pilot – Pilots operating for compensation for corporations. Sizes of aircraft can vary from smaller single-engine aircraft to very large aircrafts requiring type ratings.

Part 135 Pilot – Not quite general aviation, but not quite regional airline flying. This is one of the time building jobs for pilots going to the next professional level. These pilots carry lighter loads of freight, packages or passengers in smaller aircraft (realize that small is a relative term – it probably seems like a Boeing 747 to the starter pilot).
Regional Airline Pilot – Pilots of aircraft who by description typically carry more than 20, but less than 100 passengers.
Major Airline Pilots – This represent the maximum professional achievement level for pilots, not only in terms of aircraft size, but also in terms of compensation. Major airline pilots include passenger carrying air carriers as well as cargo air carriers.
Military – This is an alternative career path progression in comparison to the civilian option. If the risk of a military commitment does not sway you, this can be a doubly rewarding opportunity. Spend 20 years in the military and earn a pension. Then join the major airlines and earn a second pension as you start your second career.

I am not the youngest person in the world. I am already established in another profession. Can I successfully become a professional pilot?
Yes, you can be successful. Assuming that you have the aptitude to become a successful pilot. However, there are no guarantees. Each individual must make the personal assessment of why they are considering entering this career field. Is it for the joy of flying? Is it for financial reward? Is it for some of the perks of the industry? Is it because you feel that you are burned out or at a dead end in your current profession? We also have our failures in this industry. This includes members of our organization. Everyone will not be successful in this career field. Particularly during these challenging times in the industry, there are no guarantees. However, there will always be opportunities for competent pilots.

Are there other professional opportunities available to me in aviation other than becoming a pilot?
Of course! Start by looking at our programs. Then look through our useful links. Have your pen and paper handy and let your enthusiasm help you visualize the multitude of career opportunities in aviation.

OTHER CAREERS IN AVIATION

What are some other fields in aviation?
Mechanic, Air Traffic Controller, Dispatcher, Human Resource Administrator, Station Manager, Gate Agent, Ticket Agent, Loaders, Utility Service Person, Scheduler, Air Carrier Inspector, Reservations

Are there other professional opportunities available to me in aviation other than becoming a pilot?
Of course! Start by looking at our programs. Then look through our useful links. Have your pen and paper handy and let your enthusiasm help you visualize the multitude of career opportunities in aviation.

CERTIFICATION & TRAINING

What about pilot training schools? Which one should I attend?
One size does not fit all. Teaching philosophies, rate of academic and flight training varies significantly from one flight training program to another. Each individual needs to assess what is appropriate for their individual learning behavior and financial predicament in order to identify a good fit for their aviation goals and objectives.
Are other aviation programs offered by other organizations?
Yes, many of the organizations listed under useful links on our website also offer aviation programs. Additionally, there may be additional programs offered in your community that we are not aware of.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS & RATINGS

Are other aviation programs offered by other organizations?
Yes, many of the organizations listed under useful links on our website also offer aviation programs. Additionally, there may be additional programs offered in your community that we are not aware of.

What are Pilot Certificates and Ratings?
Just as there are different types of licenses for driving motor vehicles, there are numerous types of pilot ratings and certificates. Without becoming too detailed, these certificates and ratings are as follows:
Student Pilot – The initial learning and certification level for a new pilot.
Private Pilot - We like to refer to this as a recreational pilot level. The student pilot certificate only allows the pilot to fly by themselves or with instructors. By comparison, a private pilot is allowed to carry passengers with them with very few restrictions as to where they can go (as long as the weather is favorable).
Instrument Pilot – This is the next pilot certification level. At this certification level, the pilot learns how to fly in less favorable weather conditions. Flying in clouds can be very disorienting unless the pilot has the proper pilotage discipline. We use the term instrument meteorological conditions to generalize the conditions under which instrument pilots can fly.
Commercial Pilot – This certification level represents advanced competency in all phases of pilotage and allows the pilot, for the first time, to receive monetary compensation for services performed.
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – This certification level is quite often pursued after the commercial certification. It allows a pilot to teach other pilots how to fly.
Certified Flight Instructor Instruments (CFII) – This certification level is required to teach advanced instrument procedures to pilots learn to fly.
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) – This is one of the highest competency and certification levels for pilots. Commonly known as a type rating, all larger commercial aircraft require an ATP type certification. Each large aircraft is different. Accordingly, a type rating is required for each different type of large aircraft that a pilots flies (i.e., Learjet type rating, Citation type rating, Boeing 747 type rating, Airbus A320 type rating, etc.)
In addition to this progress of training in an airplane, a similar progression of training can occur in each of the following categories of aircraft:
• Airplane single-engine land
• Airplane single-engine sea
• Airplane multi-engine land
• Airplane multi-engine sea
• Rotorcraft ratings
• Balloon ratings
• Glider ratings
• Aircraft type ratings

GETTING STARTED

How should I introduce children to aviation opportunities?
Education is the key here. It is impossible to have a child aspire to an opportunity if they don’t know that it exist. Our ACE camps provide an excellent opportunity for our youth to learn about the field of aviation and the many career opportunities that they aspire to. Tragically, we cannot offer ACE camps in every city that we would like to offer such programs. The financial commitment for such exceeds our organizational resources. However, there are other outreach organizations that offer ACE camps and similar programs throughout the United States. Many of them are diversity outreach organizations. Refer to our useful link section to identify some of these organizations. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration offers ACE Camps in many cities throughout the United States.
For others, general exposure to the many segments of the aviation industry can serve as a stepping-stone to successfully exposing them to aviation opportunities. Other programs, such as Space Camps, offer additional hands on exposure. Programs cost vary from minimal financial commitment to payment of a full tuition commitment. Each program must be individually assessed.
Our organization does however offer other opportunities for exposing our youth to aviation through programs such as OBAP’s Pilots In The School. Additionally, if a specific need presents itself, OBAP will always try to connect address to needs of aspiring aviators.

HOW TO GET STARTED IN FLYING

What about pilot training schools? Which one should I attend?
One size does not fit all. Teaching philosophies, rate of academic and flight training varies significantly from one flight training program to another. Each individual needs to assess what is appropriate for their individual learning behavior and financial predicament in order to identify a good fit for their aviation goals and objectives.

What protocol should I follow to become a pilot or encourage someone else to become a pilot?
This is a loaded question. There is no one size fits all answer. In terms of becoming a pilot, nothing replaces some good legwork that will help you become more literate in what the expectations of the industry are. Internet researching can provide you with very useful information. At a minimal, you should review some of our useful links. Additionally, you can purchase useful guidance through our affiliates under STORE on our website.
Several issues should be assessed in making such a commitment. Once again each case is unique. However, at a minimal, you should take into consideration the following:
• Am I pursuing pilot skills for recreational purposes or am I committed to becoming a professional pilot?
• Am I physically and mentally fit to take on the challenge of becoming a pilot (you will be required to pass a medical examination that can only be performed by a designated FAA aeromedical examiner)?
• Does my work or school schedule permit me the flexibility to commit to the required time to academic studying as well as flight lessons?
• Are there issues in my background that will disqualify me from becoming a pilot (i.e., civil/criminal convictions, traffic violations, some medical conditions, some prescription medications, etc.)?
• Do I want to attain my training in my local community or am I committed to attending an ab-initio/accelerated training program?
• What finances are available to me?
• Do I want to consider a military flight-training program to avoid incurring flight training expense and still be paid a generous salary while training?
One of the most prudent approaches to considering becoming at pilot at any level is to go out to one of your local airports and purchase an orientation flight. Sometimes, these flights are referred to as DISCOVERY FLIGHTS. Quite often, discount coupons are available for these types of flights. View www.beapilot.com to attain additional information on the subject.