Hello guys,

Does anyone have any idea of how to become a pilot in Nigeria? I want to know more.

Why not try Aviation College, Zaria, Kaduna State? It's the best I know of in Nigeria.

join the Airforce

, jump off a tree and flap your arms
only kidding, as mentioned the best place is the Aviation school in Zaria though I have heard one can get lessons in Lagos & Warri, check thru the airfields/airports you shld be able to get info from them.
Further afield a friend learnt to fly in SA

Apply to the Nigerian Defence Academy (They start selling forms end of the year) and then you could become a military pilot in the Airforce, Navy or Army. You can still continue as a civil pilot after you leave the military.

If you do not have the funds to sponsor yourself your best bet is the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), once you get in try to get an airline to sponsor you throught the course.

The second option is to go through an airline, Virgin Nigeria for instance, they were recruiting sometime last year but be warned competition is stiff because you will be competing with people who are already comercial pilots with minimum flying hours.

Another option is to join the Nigerian Airforce but you'll have to gain admission to NDA, after a couple of years you'll begin you flight training thats if you make the standards to become a military pilot, believe me its not for the faint hearted, i've seen guys quit after a week at NDA (wimps !).
Be warned though military aviation is very different from civil aviation so when you quit the airforce you'll have to retrain for civil flying but your previously gained skills and knowledge will not be wasted.

If you do have the money just  apply to a flight training school in the US. You'ss start with attaining your private pilots license, then instrument rating & multi engine rating, i'd also advise you to get you flight instructor rating so you can build up your hours while at the same time earning some money, next go for your comercial pilots license and finally Airline Transport Pilots license but it does not stop there, you also need to be type rated in the types of aircraft you'll be flying but don't worry whichever ailine employs you after your taining will usually cover the cost.

Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) web site:
http://www.ncatz-ng.org/index.htm


Nigerian Defence Academy website:
http://nigeriandefenceacademy.org/

Virgin Nigeria pilot recruitment:
www.virginnigeria.com/en/ng/jobs/Virgin%20Nigeria%20Pilot%20Application%

Professional Pilots Forum discussion on Virgin Nigeria recruitment:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=234419







I hope this helps

Thanks Bro, i think I will Check those Sites And See if i Would Find a Chance

Hello Digiman,
Concerning what you wrote on Nairaland about [How to become a Pilot] and i quote "If you do have the money just apply to a flight training school in the US. You'ss start with attaining your private pilots license, then instrument rating & multi engine rating, i'd also advise you to get you flight instructor rating so you can build up your hours while at the same time earning some money, next go for your comercial pilots license and finally Airline Transport Pilots license but it does not stop there, you also need to be type rated in the types of aircraft you'll be flying but don't worry whichever ailine employs you after your taining will usually cover the cost."
How does one go about this?
Because i applied to a scholl in the US year 2006 to stuty Proffesional Flight , but when i got the complete course fees , In Naira it came to about 14,000,000 .Which is a no go area.Far more expensive than here at Zaira.
But her you have said that if one does not have the money he should apply toa flight training school in the US.
***AND ALSO you wrote "If you do not have the funds to sponsor yourself your best bet is the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), once you get in try to get an airline to sponsor you throught the course.
"
Please expound on both that of US AND how one will get an airline to sponsor him through out the course at NCAT.
It would be really helpful.
Already the infomations you have written concerning the piloting issue on nairaland has been really helpful.
I await your reply. My email address is eekayjay@yahoo.com
Regards.

Hello mee2002 ,
Concerning what you wrote on naira land "it is by investing 33,000naira or USD200 and get $6,000 or 900,000naira in less than 5weeks."
The links you have put there are either not complete or they do not exist.
Check what you have put down for your self and see what i am saying.
I await your reply.

Lmao, u go to school so they could teach u how to become a pilot.

Just jump down from a skyscrapper!

Of course not, there's an aeronotic school in Kaduna but I don't know anyone who had an opportunity to test fly while there

oshaks:

Hello guys,

Does anyone have any idea of how to become a pilot in Nigeria? I want to know more.

Well, oshaks, like everyone has rightfully told you, if you are going to sponsor yourself, you need funds, lots of it. if you want to go all the way, especially if you are thinking of going commercial. But if you just want to be a pilot then the PPL & couple of other ratings should do. Might not be as expensive.

O!G!:


Because i applied to a scholl in the US year 2006 to stuty Proffesional Flight , but when i got the complete course fees , In Naira it came to about 14,000,000 .Which is a no go area.Far more expensive than here at Zaira.
But her you have said that if one does not have the money he should apply toa flight training school in the US.
***AND ALSO you wrote "If you do not have the funds to sponsor yourself your best bet is the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), once you get in try to get an airline to sponsor you throught the course.
"
Please expound on both that of US AND how one will get an airline to sponsor him through out the course at NCAT.

Sorry that was a typo, Flight training in the US of A is not free. If  you want free training, the Nigerian Airforce is your only choice but then there is no guarantee that you will be eventually selected for pilot training after your basic military training and even if you did you might end up flying helcopters rather than air planes  which is also split into jet or turbo prop planes.


For flight training in the US  you WILL need to have the funds for the course plus your living expenses  since  its, most likely the  flight school would only accept you on the basis that you enrol for an "ab-inito" course since you are not resident in the US. This course takes you from PPL to ATPL hence the reason why its so expensive.

In order to save you the hassle of having to find  the full funds for your course up front you could look for a school that will allow you to do each training course bit by bit i.e.  Private Pilots - PPL  then Instrument rating - IR,  then Commercial Pilots  License - CPL and  Flight Instructor rating (FIR), you might find one that will allow you to do each course on a pay as you go basis, once you get your CPL and your Flight instructor rating you can work as a flight instructor  to build up your hours while at the same time save money towards your Multi engine rating and ATPL, you will still have to find the initial funds to start the basic courses.

Now looking at the NCAT web site it looks like you can do the courses bit by bit as I listed it the paragraph above
see list and prices   http://www.ncatz-ng.org/Fees.htm
7, 8 , 9, 10 & 12 is what you want ,  you will have to contact them and confirm.

Once you are in you can look around for an outfit willing to sponsor you through the rest of the course, you will have to be pro active in this area, see these links for examples

http://www.virginnigeria.com/en/ng/press/pr2007-3-13.html

http://www.arikair.com/ARIKAIR/racine_site/news.asp

Contact airline operators in Nigeria to seek sponsorship.


Finally if you still cannot raise funds to train to a professional level you could join a flying club and get your PPL, NCAT have a flying club -   http://www.ncatz-ng.org/Other%20services.htm


Remember where  there is a will there is a way !

I hope this makes it a lot clearer.

Hello Digiman,
I will immediately check on all you have to written again and gather all information i can get from the links.
Thanks a lot as i believe your information will be really helpful.
If i do need any thing again i will write you.As it appears you are quite informed in this area.
Rgds,.

Hello Again Digiman ,
Actually i want to be a commercial pilot.
So yo have said i need 7,8,9,10 & 12, which are[Private Pilot Licence (Ground School),Private Pilot Licence (Flight Training),Commercial Pilots License (Ground School),Commercial Pilot Licence (Flight Training),Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)]but doesn't 1 which is [Standard Pilot (SP) (PPL, CPL, IR, ME)]cover for all this?

Actually when i visited the Ncat WEBSITE earlier . i thought all i wouild need to become a commercial pilot will be 1 [Standard Pilot (SP) (PPL, CPL, IR, ME)], so pleae tell me i am going about it wrongly?

Please do reply as i plan to make a close follow up.
Thanks also for the links on arik air and Virgin Nigaria.
I had alrady sent NCAT AN email for over a week now but no reply as off now, but i plan to call today.
I'll give you an update as it goes on.
Thanks

Just so you know, if you plan on coming to the US to train as a pilot and your name starts, ends or have Muhammed, Atta, Ibrahim or any other islamic related name, don't bother wasting your money. You ain't NEVER going to be admitted.

I heard Embry Riddle has the best program,
http://www.erau.edu/

O!G!:

Hello Again Digiman ,
Actually i want to be a commercial pilot.
So yo have said i need 7,8,9,10 & 12, which are[Private Pilot Licence (Ground School),Private Pilot Licence (Flight Training),Commercial Pilots License (Ground School),Commercial Pilot Licence (Flight Training),Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)]but doesn't 1 which is [Standard Pilot (SP) (PPL, CPL, IR, ME)]cover for all this?

The Standard Pilot course (SP) (PPL, CPL, IR, ME), does not not include ATPL, you can do your ATPL after a few years if you do not have the money to do it straight after you obtain your CPL.
The CPL is enough to get you into the flight deck as a first officer/co-pilot.

I listed the courses individually because it appears the Aviation college allows the courses do be done individually, this may be to your advantage especially if you do not have the funds to go for the packaged ab-initio courses. My advice will be do to the PPL, IR, ME and hopefuly before your CPL you will find and airline to sponsor you, if you are still struggling to find sponsorship i'd suggest try getting a job part time maybe working at the college or an airfield and save up for your CPL and also do an Instructors course, once qualified as a Flight instructor you may be able to get a job with the college or elsewhere this will not only enable you to start earning money it will also enable you to build up your flying hours which will come in handy when to apply for a job as an airline pilot.

The best way to go about it is to fast. you might wake up one morning without an airplane to fly

O!G!  I got your email. I was away for a few days hence the delay in replying. I will reply here for the nbenefit of other interested parties as well.

First I congratulate you on taking the first step.
Regards the sponsorship letter,  its basically a letter requesting tarining sponsorship from the organisation, you will have to formally request it, and also state why you want/need sponsor ship, also use it as an opportunity to show that you are serious about a becaoming a pilot, what you have done so far (knowledge / skills) and what your aspirations are if sucessful.

Below are a few links I would like you to visit:

http://www.jetcareers.com/content/view/28/50/

http://www.pprune.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-65343.html

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Jobs/Pilot/pilotrecruitment_cadetsponsorshipscheme.html


http://www.futureairlinepilot.com/tips.html

This link has a sample applicaton (on page 4) of course you will made to amend it to suit you requiremens and also beef it up:

http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/ist/pdfs/trust_charities2004.pdf


Do you have any access to any aviation books / magazines, it will help if you can read up on some of the basic stuff like the PPL course modules, there are some web site which actually have the course contents, better still if you can get your hands on a flight simulator as well. Armed wityh this knowledge you'll look good at an interview.

please can some on tell me if one could get schorlarship to the aviation school. i am crazy to be there.
If you have a ny interesat in the aviation school pls call me on this number 08060818429 so we can discuss our future. i am DAYO. bye

Hi, Am a female and want to become a pilot. If u are intrested to train in nigeria, it is 7m to train as a professional commercial pilot for 18months. But i tell u, it is cheaper and faster to train outside nigeria,say us,canada,south africa.
Am working on my training in the us with us flight academy for 6months,$27,805 as tuition fee. I have gotten a sponsor and admission which was less stressful. I hope to start soon pending when my sponsors release the fund.

My dear you can see the diff is so clear.I would advice if you have ur money, try flight schools in us. It will save you from all the shakara dey do here in nigeria. If you no get sopnsor for nija,dey most likely wont take you. Abi u be senator or minister pikin? U can use google to search for their web to get info, nigeria college of avaition. meet u as one of the crews.

Chao.

Hi IVY4U,

I'm very intrested in becoming a commercial pilot and exploring the possibility of training in the US or maybe SA. Could you please send details of how you went about yours to my email sayoplus@gmail.com. Many Thank

it good to know that there many of u that want to join us(pilot) especially the female. wish u all sucess in ur dreams, but i just want u all to know that its not as easy as u think, my advise for u all is that no matter how difficult it would like in the beginning u can always pull through especailly with the money u put into it. i am very lucky as i didnt pay anything to become a pilot the govt even paid me to be one so it was easy for some of my mates to say they cant continue these missions training, commercial pilots it even easier for u cos u have everything spelt out for u. u routes are defined most of the computer prog are easy to learn as in alt ,heading, IAS, flaps @inter full, etc u would learn all that with time.
am sure most of u can drive n u know what it was like going on ur solo's(driving in traffic on ur on own for the first time espically in lagos) thats how u would start, take it into consideration that there is nothing u do for the first time that u can do n get right(well mostly)

@PILOT955

I take it you fly in Nigeria, are you a comercial pilot ?. I have some questions about flying in Nigeria, what navigational aids are available to you guys if any , I know years ago there was an ILS system at Ikeja and some NDB's or is it VFR all the way ?

@masterme,
IT WAS NOT EASY MY DEAR. Infact, am still on my way there o. I started with applying to schools in the united state. us flight academy(USFA)and delta connection academy(DCA) replied me to say i am welcome to train in their school. But the fees for DCA was way too much for me who does not even have 100k. USFA was encouraging. When i toid them i had no enough money to pay my fees, the administrator sent me a male asking how much i can pay, and that they would see what they can do on their part. They even went ahead to give me some site which award scholarships to female, but none was for an amerture like me. To cut a long story short,they sha was encouraging me and they became my good friends.
As for the sponsorship, . it is all God's favour, 4rm d start to this very moment and am still expecting plenty more favour in Jesus name.To start with i got a scholarship 4rm DESOPADEC(an oil development commission in my state,Delta) it is like NDDC. My dear i know nobody. I just walked into the secetary's office to tell him i needed financial assitance to train as a pilot in the us. U know what he said,quote " i dnt know you and i dnt know where u came 4rm, but i ll use the commission to assit you". He told me how to address the later and were to submit it ,and indicated that it should be treated with urgency. The rest is history. Right now all am waiting for is my fund of 4m covering my tuition fee, accomodation and living expenses,to be sent to USFA so i can start my training.
Isn't God Great? Pls join me in giving God thanks.

@PILOT955,
thanks for the info. please whats the average pay of pilots flying with nigerian airlines? I really would like to know, so i would know if i shuld come back or look for a better alternative in the us. Or what do you think?
You know you are experience and know better than i do. I would really apprciate your response.

Cheers.

am a fighter pilot with the airforce. went to NDA,, n i work with airforce so i am paid with according to my rank with some flyin bonus, remain abroad my sis(am from delta state too, Isoko)

@the female i flew in lackland airforce base in the state n one thing i can say bout them is that u have to really brilliant to keep up with the pace of the training. @ the othe chap on ILS, u need it to land at night when u start flying instruments u'll need it. so guess they still have it. Also @ all u young pilots good luck

As at AIT's last documentary, the only aviation school in the country 's that in Kaduna and they pay nothing less than 10 milla

i think u guys should stop coming out without strong evidence bout these amount, cos really u just discourage pple n also spoil business for these schools. come up with ur facts pls dont just say 12million 10million etc. pls we r trying to help one another not discourage potential pilots k, am not saying it cheap all am say is let get it RIGHT thanks

@IVY4U

You have the right attitude and determination, well done ! and all the best.

My advice to anyone hoping to embark on a a career in aviation is to stick with the deram and be determined. I have read of people in their late 40's changing career to become airline pilots, by the time they finish their professional training they are already in their early 50's but that does not put them off.

For anyone in Nigeria your best bet is to seek sponsorship because that is the only way you can do it, try airlines and oil companies or join the airforce. Most privately sponsored pilots I know work 2 or 3 jobs to raise funds to train for their Private pilots license then look for loans or sponsorship for the rest of their training but that method may not be possible in Nigeria. Years ago their used to be a flying club in Ikeja, Lagos, does it still exist ?, if so joining the club to do PPL training will be a good start.

@PILOT955

What A/C are you type rated for ?