Non-US citizens who do not currently hold an FAA pilot certificate, or who wish to gain an instrument rating or multi-engine rating, must complete the TSA Alien Flight Student Program process before beginning flight training at GGH.
You should begin this process well in advance of your proposed start of training; although the process shouldn't take more than 2-4 weeks, if there are problems or errors in your application it may take longer. In addition to documents and an application (online), you must also supply fingerprints, which requires you to show up in person (there are a few sites outside the US).
If you already hold an FAA-issued certificate, you do not have to go through the program (exceptions are for an instrument or multi-engine rating) to earn additional ratings or exercise the privileges of your pilot certificate.
Here are the steps in the process:
- Request an account at the TSA Alien Flight Student Program website. Fill out the online form, and the TSA will email you a username and password.
- Ask your GGH instructor for his/her Program Provider ID number and information.
- Login to the Flight School Candidates website and fill in and submit your application. Here are some guidelines:
- Category: 3
- Provider: [Your instructor's name]
- School student identification number: [Your first initial and last name]
- Course identification number: 101 (Private Pilot) or 102 (Instrument)
- Course name: Private Pilot or Instrument Rating
- Course description: Private Pilot training or Instrument training
- Rating goal: FAA Private Pilot Rotorcraft-Helicopter or FAA Instrument Rotorcraft-Helicopter
- Aircraft type: Robinson R22/R44
- Start date: [Enter a date about 30 days from today's date]
- End date: [Enter 1 year after your start date]
- Review the information and submit the application.
- Your GGH instructor will receive a notification that you have applied and will confirm your application.
- The TSA will notify you that your fee is now payable.
- Once your payment has cleared, the TSA will notify you with your AFSP Training Request number and instructions for fingerprinting. PRINT OUT THIS EMAIL.
- Locate the nearest fingerprint office. If you are not in northern
California, go to the TSA Clearing House for Fingerprints website and find
the nearest office and contact them for instructions. There are
currently only two fingerprinting offices in the San Francisco Bay
Area: San Francisco International Airport, and Nice Air at
Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose (408-729-3383). Call to schedule an
appointment to submit fingerprints. Ask if the facility
requires that you supply fingerprint cards, and ask about accepted
payment methods.
What to take to your appointment:- A printed copy of your TSA confirmation email.
- Your passport (if a non-resident alien), resident alien card, or US drivers license (if resident alien).
- If required by the fingerprint collection location, two (2) fingerprint cards and a pre-paid shipping envelope (for a traceable shipper such as UPS or Fedex).
- Payment.
- TSA will acknowledge receipt of your fingerprints.
- Call us to confirm that your instructor has also received acknowledgment.
Congratulations! You are ready to begin training.