All students pilots, whether you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the U.S or an international student from a different country is required to comply with TSA’s alien flight training/citizenship validation rule .
Transportation Security Administration, Alien flight Student Program is to ensure that candidates seeking training at flight schools regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) do not pose a threat to aviation or national security.
Persons seeking flight training must submit a request if they are not citizens or nationals of the U.S. and:
- They wish to receive flight training in the U.S. or its territories, regardless of whether training will lead to an FAA certificate or type rating; and/or
- They wish to receive flight training from an FAA-certificated facility, provider, or instructor that could lead to an FAA rating whether in the U.S. or abroad.
This site contains the application for aliens seeking to train at FAA-regulated flight schools. www.flightschoolcandidates.gov . Candidates are required to complete this application prior to beginning flight training.
The TSA formality needs to be completed three consecutive times.
1. Before commencing Private Pilot Course
2. Before commencing Instrument Rating
3. Before commencing Multi Engine Rating
TSA approval is a prerequisite to commencing your course. We will not be able to start your course unless you have a TSA approval. Therefore please plan to have your approval before your course start date. This way your training commencement will not be delayed.
Processing fee payment
After submitting the AFSP training request application and Avel Flight School validates it, payment instructions will be sent via email. At that time, you should login to your AFSP account at www.flightschoolcandidates.gov and pay the processing fee.
The Application process
- Please read directions available on the TSA website prior to filling.
- If your password is incorrect the second time you type in, please do not type incorrect password the third time as this will lock you out of the system for the following twenty four hours. Please click on forgot password and your correct password will be sent to your email.
- Private TSA needs to be done before starting the course (you can get this done while you are applying for your visa)
- Instrument TSA can be done towards the end of Private Pilot License course followed by Multi Engine TSA.
The TSA Clearance process:
• Go to www.flightschoolcandidates.gov
• Click LOGIN → New Student Account
• Complete all the requested information; if you have any questions, we can help you. Here are a few items that students usually need assistance in completing:
Step 7 of 9 (Please select Category 3 candidates for training on aircraft weighing 12,500 lbs and under)
For Private Pilot License:
- State: Illinois
- Provider: Avel Flight School Inc.
- Student Identification # from School: Located on upper right hand side of I-20
- Course ID: FAR 141
- Class Name: Category 3 – Initial License
- Aircraft type: PA28 Cessna 150 Cessna 172
- Start Date: 5 days after the last date of arrival on I-20
- End Date: End of I-20 Validity
Step 8 of 9 (Please select Category 3 candidates for training on aircraft weighing 12,500 lbs and under)
For Instrument:
- State: Illinois
- Provider: Avel Flight School Inc.
- Student Identification # from School: Located on upper right hand side of I-20
- Course ID: FAR 141
- Class Name: Category 3 – Instrument Rating
- Aircraft type: PA28 Cessna 150 Cessna 172
- Start Date: As soon as the Second Payment is made
- End Date: End of I-20 Validity
Step 8 of 9 (Please select Category 3 candidates for training on aircraft weighing 12,500 lbs and under)
For Multi Engine Rating:
- State: Illinois
- Provider: Avel Flight School Inc.
- Student Identification # from School: Located on upper right hand side of I-20
- Course ID: FAR 141
- Class Name: Category 3- Multi-Engine Rating
- Aircraft type: PA 34 PA39
- Start Date: As soon as Second Payment is made
- End Date: End of I-20 Validity
Finger Print Process
Your finger print has to be processed as part of this TSA formality. If there is no fingerprinting* agency located at your home country, you will need to have the fingerprint portion of this process completed after entering the United States. You can verify if there is an agency in your home country by going to the TSA link: TSA Flight Candidates, and completing the form.
An email will be sent to you requesting fingerprints and you will be given access to a website that will list all fingerprinting agencies.
The fingerprinting process should be initiated ONLY after the Candidate has paid for the AFSP training request, had the training request and documents accepted, and received the “Fingerprint Instruction” e-mail. Fingerprints collected prior to receiving the e-mail notification will result in fingerprint submission rejection and cancellation of the associated Training Request.
The TSA fee can be paid after you have received approval for your M-1 Student Visa.
You will need to upload a clear color copy of your passport and your visa. If you are unable do this, we will assist you when you arrive at the Avel Flight School.