Leading Edge International Academy
 

Have you tried checking-out Leading Edge International Academy? They have a hangar and use the runway in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines although Ground School is conducted in Manila. What I liked in LEIA is that their pre-solo Flight Instructors are retired Philippine Air Force Generals who were former Blue Diamonds Aerobatic Team members and seasoned Combat Pilots. More so, they strictly adhere to CAAP regulations. Message me if you want more details.

synthia331,

first thing first,

what is your nationality? where do you intend to work?

If you are a Malaysian, and wants to work in Malaysia, The best is, just do your training in Malaysia.

I know some guys who did CPL in Australia, and then returned to Malaysia to complete their Multi-Engine Rating and IR in order for them to get a Malaysian License. The multi-engine rating and IR took them almost a year to complete.

If you are not a Malaysian, but holds a Malaysian License, and wants to work in Malaysia, It's possible, but it's not that easy to get a job over here.

Hi cynthia,

Few of my friends in flying school actually done their CPL overseas (Aussies,NZ's) and they want to get Malaysian license. I cant confirm you about this but they told me that the IR for your CPL must be done here in Malaysia, with multi-engine aircraft.. Hence they only clocked single-engine hours overseas and need to convert the license to Malaysian license AND done their IR here. Same goes to AirAsia cadet who train oversea. Pls consult DCAM for confirmation about this matter :ok:

I am an Indian Citizen
 

Since I am an Indian Citizen it seems that the under the Indian DGCA law that I am able to do all of my training overseas. I have a few friends who have gone to the school I was talking about in Maldives. They seem happy, chilled out life by the beach and no problems. The airspace is restriction free too. Please give me your thoughts on the school. Their syllabus follows the Indian DGCA curriculum and I would get my 200 hours as needed. The website with their details is Asian Academy of Aeronautics - Home
They operate 7 aircraft, one of which is a Seneca and the others are C172 and C150. With around 20 full time students, I would be able to easily clock around 25 to 30 hours a month. Please let me know what you guys think?

Maldives is a new pilot training destination in the SE asia. I have heard about the school, and what i have heard was all good. They claim to follow jaa training standards. I even came across their training package. It looked really expensive though. So what i can suggest you here is if you are willing to spend that much, then why not think about the us or australia.

@synthia331

Prior to undergoing flight training abroad , there are a couple of things you need to do first .

1. Class 1 Medical from the Indian DGCA . Different countries have different medical standards . While you might be capable of obtaining a class 1 medical abroad the Indian standards are quite strict .
You would not want to find yourself in a situation where you do your CPL abroad and then wont be able to convert it when you come back because you are unable to pass the medical .

You will need to get an DGCA class 2 medical first . Once that is received you can obtain a Class 1 medical . On the DGCA class 2 medical a file number will be given .
This number will be used by the DGCA whenever you deal with them for medicals , apply for a CPL , FRTOL etc .

2. Get a Computer Number . This number is used to write the DGCA exams . Its permanent number issued once by the DGCA .
You will need to be 10+2 Pass with Maths and Physics as subjects in order to apply for the computer number and get an Indian DGCA CPL as well .

3) Once that is done give all your DGCA exams as well as radio license exams .
Once you get the radio license apply for the FRTOL . This will save you a lot of trouble once you back with the foreign CPL

4) After you obtain your foreign CPL you will have to come back to India and give a skill test at one of the flight schools in India . Only then can you apply for the Indian DGCA license .

A few tips when selecting a flight school abroad .

1) A good rule of thumb is to go to a DEVELOPED country ( eg US , Canada , Australia , New Zealand etc ) especially ones that have a large amount of General Aviation involved .
Developed countries are also easier to deal with when you have to submit things like Verification of License to the DGCA

Developing countries have a lot of bureaucracy and corruption involved just like the Indian DGCA when having to deal with problems , verification , lost licenses etc .

2) See whether the license has an expiry date . Certain countries have an expiry date on the license including the Indian DGC . The DGCA requires a valid license at the time of conversion and in some countries can be very expensive to renew .
The US and Canada are examples of licenses that dont have an expiry date .

The US , Canada and Australia also have their appointed doctors in India and other countries where you Class 1 medical can be renewed .
That way you wont have to go back to the foreign country every year when your medical expires .


3) Make sure the flight school has the same aircraft that is available with the flight schools in India . The DGCA has a rule thats says the aircraft you want endorsed on your DGCA license has to be registered in India and should have a valid Certificate of airworthiness .
The C172 , C152 are popular options for single engine . Piper Seneca , DA 42 and P68 C are the popular options for multi engine
This of course also helps seeing that you will have to come back to India and give as skill test on the same aircraft .

4) Some schools ( infact most of them ) require that you pay all the fees upfront . In the US you can negotiate with flight schools and tell them you will be PAY AS YOU GO i.e you will pay for the flight after its flown , instead of them having your money in an account and then subtracting after each flight .
This helps a lot if the school is facing financial difficulties . I know way too many students ( 100+ ) who have lost a lot money at flight schools around the world . They paid the entire fees upfront and the flight school shuts down after some time .
In one particular case the flight school took 30,000$ from a student and shuts down the next day .
They might tell that you we will offer big discounts if you pay the money upfront , but once they have your money they will act very arrogant as you will be in a binding contract that prevents any refunds

5) Some schools advertise that you will finish in 40 hours for private training , 35 hours for IR and 200 for CPL . This is usually the bare minimum required and very few candidates are capable of passing the skill tests at the minimums . Hence depending on your skill you should expect to budget a lot more than the advertised minimums .

I cant comment on the flight school in Maldives , But for the price they offer you can get a better Deal in countries like the US and Canada .
Moreover its a brand new school and probably the only one in the Maldives . I would wait and see for a few of their students to successfully convert to an Indian DGCA license before you start your flight training there.
Its better to go to a school that has been around a few years in the business

You show your location as Malaysia . If you have permanent residency right or a work permit in Malaysia then you should consider the option of converting and obtaining a Malaysian license as well .

Last but not the least , I hope you are aware that there are close to 7000 unemployed DGCA CPL holders in India with another 2000-3000 in various stages of training and conversion .
You should ask yourself what happens after i get my DGCA CPL ?
Is anyone hiring at present ?
Getting called for an airline written exam ( whenever it happens ) seems to be the luck of the draw ( or what connections you have ) as they dont have the place to accommodate or interview everyone .
Lot of airlines also demand a type rating ( ever since a lot of unemployed CPL holders decided to get one :ugh: ) on the aircraft they fly before applying for the job . This costs an additional 20,000-40,000$ depending on the aircraft .
Then again getting called for the assessment depends on your luck......

If you dont have a college degree I strongly suggest you get one first prior to any flight training so that you can have an alternate career/backup plan incase during or after your training or somewhere down your career you fail the Class 1 medical test and made permanently unfit .

Why not NZ?
 

@synthia331
Reading by all your posts why not consider New Zealand?

NZ has got some great flying schools and the level of knowledge you get by doing the ASL exams is far greater than FAA plus u don't have to convert radio telephony in INDIA.Good mix of GA and controlled airspace, if you choose the right school you can be done with your 200hrs easiny within a year(great weather here).

PM me if you need any info :)

@Three_Blader

Why do you keep using Mainland Air's name?:confused:

I have seen several posts from you about Mainland Air, In what way are you affiliated to them?Were you a previous student or are you a present instructor?

AU, NZ, MY?
 

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I would like to take up a course on CPL but I'm not sure which is the best.

Should I go for those in AU, NZ or MY? Frankly, I would like to do it in HK, however there is none offered here.

In addition, with the current mid 30s, is it too late to do the course? Would there be no opportunity to be hired after graduate?

Shannon,

Do not even consider doing your flight training in Malaysia unless you are Malaysian. A friend of mine did it and now he is unable to unfreeze his ATPL from the Malaysian DCA because (1) he is a foreigner, (2) as a foreigner, he is unable to get a flying job as a FO there, and as a result, his hours abroad is not recognised.

Hi Shannon,

I'll be frank with you. You are too old, you are from the wrong part of the globe, and you are in the wrong place to ask this kind of thing, just stick to your current job.

Firstly first, before you take license, you must know about licensing conversion first.

First, let me tell you about licensing conversion (for low timers only).

In Malaysia, there are 2 types of licenses directly accept by DCA Malaysia. HKCAD and CAAS licenses are '1-to-1' interchangeable. Meaning, there is no practical flight tests or ATPL theory exams required by DCA M'sia and it's all paper work.

For low timers Malaysians (holding HKCAD and CAAS) to convert to DCA license is easy. If not, they (not holding HKCAD and CAAS) will have to go through pain-staking ATPL theory exams and expensive twin-engine flying before they can convery their license.

I am not going to answer directly to your question now. Your location tells members you are in Hong Kong, but you never reveal what is your actual nationality (or which passport)!

When coming to low-timer looking for job, nationality is very important.

I have many job opportunities in China for low-timers but must have Chinese blood (eg. Hong Kees, Macauese, Singaporean Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Thai Chinese) and Mandarin speaking! Fake "鬼佬" and other skin colours not really welcome.

Hi All,

I truely appreciate the info and advice over here. I'm currently working in HK under working visa. Originally from Malaysia, a Malaysian Chinese. If at this point, I'm eligible to apply CX DEC, 8 would definitely go for it. Too bad that I still hv 27 months go before I could apply for HK PR.

Hence, in such situation, I really feel a little lost and not sure should I still hold on my dreams or give up and do what I'm doing now which is something not motivated at all!

Bull$****, there are Indonesian pilots working for Air HK with Indonesian DGCA ATPL. Get some facts right. :=

I doubt you passed your English. It is not right to make assumption.

I did not say, DGCA ATPL can't get airlines jobs abroad. I have seen Indonesian DGCA ATPL Captain working with SilkAir.

I am answering to shannon.lau queries based on her current situation. Different people with entry level.

Listen singboy, you are the one who said "HKCAD will 101% reject Indo license." without stating your statement is only confined to shannon.lau.

Obviously your Singlish must have gotten into you. := Did you even pass A-Level? :}

I think Shannon is a dude, not a chick.

About low timer jobs in China
 

Hey @Droste!

i am new to this forum and i will soon be acquiring a CAAS CPL ME/IR and i am also chinese. With regards to the China aviation jobs, could you please pm and tell me more about it? I have lived in China for awhile and i find that i adapt well to their culture. I am really interested in the idea of working there.. Please advise. Thanks!:D

Chris

Hello Chris,

Please do not give up on the aviation piloting opportunities in Singapore. All airlines in Singapore are hungry for pilots, and priority is awlays for Singaporeans with CAAS license (irregardless of flying hours).

According to the CAAS SP&L office, there is a surplus of low-timer CAAS license holders (including those from RSAF). It is just matter of time for the local airlines to suck them in.

The airline culture (especially pilot recruitment/application) in China is totally different from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and etc.

It is true they (the Chinese airlines) want Captains. There is too much advertisement (from those sickening pilot recruitment agencies looking for Captains). However, these airlines in China have direct recruitment for low timers and lots of people (referring to the Chinese blood) don't know how to jump the loops of application.

Mandarin speaking is not good enough but must be Chinese (regardless of nationality). And these are the applicants rank above "鬼佬".