Frequently Asked Questions

EASA's Commercial Pilot requirements are rather tolerant, however you may not have a chronic disease, such as diabetes. There are eyesight requirements but wearing glasses is not automatically an excluding factor.

Students must meet Aeromedical Class 1 requirements

Patria uses professional screening and selection methods through our Selection Psychologist, who personally tests our students. Computer-aided testing software is used during the test among other devices. The candidate cannot prepare for these tests in any way.

Candidates will be interviewed, and their level of English is also tested in both written and spoken form. Mathematics and Physics will be tested as well. For these tests, the candidate can prepare in advance.

Becoming a professional pilot requires certain personal capabilities and skills. Therefore, even if you are motivated to become a pilot, we will run our tests to all cadets to make sure that your personal knowledge, skills and aptitude is up to the task of becoming a professional pilot and a Commander of an aircraft.

Studying is very demanding and without the right qualifications, it will be a challenge to pass all exams and practical tests.

Since flight training is expensive, the tests are arranged to protect the student from making a wrong career selection and cover the sponsor of studies from investing to a wrong person. Our track record indicates that only ca 1% of selected students will terminate their studies, mostly due to motivational reasons.

Our testing fee to individual students is approximately 500 euros, excluding aeromedical center's MED1 examination fees.

Patria Pilot Training does not have strict restrictions concerning height, but our co-operative airlines might have their own.

However, height restrictions are usually somewhat individual. In addition to height, other physical features and measures is affected for operating in an aircraft.

If we run an active airline training program, you can contact the airline based on their advertisement.

In general, all training programs will last approximately 20-24 months. The duration depends greatly on the weather and also your own progress with your studies.

Patria Pilot Training does not offer scholarships, but we cannot speak for our co-operative airlines and their policies.

Our self-sponsored students are eligible for Patria’s loan guarantee.

 

Our study languages are Finnish and English. Finnish is obviously used only for Finnish students while all foreign students will have to be able to communicate in English.

Regarding all students, we only use English for training inside the aircraft. All radio communication with Air traffic Control will be in English. Therefore, all students will have to be able to speak, read and understand English well enough to reach ICAO level 4 during their training process. The English language is the language of aviation and therefore a sufficient skill level is an absolute must.

NOTE: Lack of English language skills is the single most important reason for rejection when applying for Patria Pilot Training.

 

Distance learning is not enough for completing the CPL-training and getting the license. The CPL training always includes classroom theory training and also flight training, which cannot be performed by distance learning.

Typically, PPL(A) license does not impact the duration or costs of the training. The impact depends on the course. Most airlines want their courses to be converging. There may be a possibility to discuss about compensations, but these are always individual cases. Mainly the benefit of the PPL(A) license is the student’s own knowledge on aviation in advance.

At the moment, Patria Pilot Training only offers training for airplanes. In the future, we plan to also provide helicopter services.

The Competent Authority in Finland is the Finnish CAA, also called Traficom. Our CAA is implementing pan-European EASA regulations, which form the regulatory environment for aviation in Finland. Therefore, pilot training in Finland will follow EASA regulations.

CAA = Civil Aviation Authority, Traficom www.traficom.fi

EASA = European Aviation Safety Agency www.easa.europa.eu

 

All students who have been approved to start in Finland with their studies (individual or airline/institutional recruits) will have to apply for a residence permit for the whole duration of their training and up to 24 months to allow some delays. The nearest Embassy will assist in the application process, while Patria will issue a Letter of Acceptance to each student for this purpose. You will need to have e.g. a valid passport, insurance and funds for your whole study period.

Yes.

The Finnish Immigration office requires you to be prepared for living costs of 560 euros per month (including housing). Housing costs range from 350 to 650 euros per month, depending on the quality and location of the accommodation, and if the housing is for a single person or for a group.

Your actual living costs after housing will vary somewhat based on your own habits and consumption.

Here are some estimations:

Local transport (within Tampere region): approximately EUR 50 per month

Lunch at the airport restaurant: approximately EUR 10 per day

Other food costs: EUR 300 per month

Phone and internet: Based on your own use (internet is free at the school and most housing locations)