Incoming Student Checklist

You're that much closer to becoming an aviation professional! You're automatically accepted into the aviation program once admitted to the University. All students (Aviation Management & Operations and Flight Technology & Operations) should follow BGSU's Admitted Student Guide for guidelines on what to do after being admitted.

For those students specializing in Flight Technology & Operations (Professional Pilot Program), here are additional steps that need to be taken in preparation for your timely start at BGSU Aviation: 

1. On the first day of your flight slot you will arrive at the Bowling Green Flight Center (BGFC) to meet your Flight Instructor.  If you have questions regarding your flight slot time or need to change the time slot please contact cesmith@bgsu.edu to discuss flight slot availability.
2. TSA verification - Bring your driver’s license and official birth certificate with raised seal OR a U.S. Passport for Transportation Security Administration verification purposes. We will verify the documents and hand them right back to you. Students who are not a US Citizen or US National must have started the TSA verification process with BGFC and have been granted final approval on their TSA training request to begin training. TSA verification for students who are not a US Citizen or US National can take approximately two months, so students going through this process should not plan to begin flight training until their second semester on campus. If you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national please email cesmith@bgsu.edu to begin TSA processing. You will need to utilize the FTSP online portal to begin TSA flight training eligibility if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
   
3. Students must have obtained their FAA 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd class medical certificate by two weeks prior to the start of the semester to be eligible to maintain enrollment in their flight lab and begin flight training. Refer to the FAA medical website to locate an approved examiner. In order to access and complete your medical certification application, you will need to create an account and provide medical information. Bring your medical certificate with you to your flight slot.  If you cannot complete your exam at home you might also look for medical examiners in the Bowling Green/Perrysburg/Toledo, Ohio area. You will only need to qualify for a 3rd Class medical certificate for your flight training at BGSU; however, it is your discretion if you would like to obtain a 1st or 2nd Class medical certificate. Generally the cost is higher and you can refer to the Federal Aviation Administration website for the differences in qualification levels.
   
4. You are required to apply in person for a FAA Student Pilot Certificate with one of the following authorized individuals: a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), FAA Safety Inspector, or FAA Part 141 Airman Certification Representative. All student pilot certificates will be issued by the FAA’s Civil Aviation Registry Branch as a plastic airman certificate card once the TSA and FAA have reviewed the student’s application. BGFC will have authorized individuals to make your application to the FAA for a Student Pilot Certificate on your first day of class in August.
   
5. Students who wish to bring in Private Pilot training from outside of BGSU must have earned their Private Pilot Certificate by two weeks prior to the start of the semester to be eligible to maintain enrollment in Instrument level courses (AERT 2800 – Instrument Ground School, AERT 2810 – Basic Instrument Flight Instruction). Applicable students will receive communication from the program closer to the start of the semester to verify they meet this requirement.
   
6. You will need a headset for flight training. If you plan to purchase your headset from our online store, you will pick up and your headset and other pilot supplies when you arrive at BGFC for your first day of class. If you do not want to purchase your headset online through our store, you can purchase one from other pilot supply shops online or at an airport.
7. Ground School and Flight Lab Supplies - If you would like to purchase these supplies through the flight center, please visit our online store to place your order. Item availability is subject to stock levels. Supply lists for specific ground courses and flight labs can be found below. We've seperated out supplies based on flight training level on our store. Click the links below to access supplies based on flight training level. Please reference the supply lists below on this page to ensure you order the correct items. If you have any questions about supplies, please email aviation@bgsu.edu or call us at 419-372-8950.
   
   1. Private Pilot Supplies (AERT 2200, AERT 2220, & AERT 2230)
   2. Instrumet Pilot Supplies (AERT 2800, AERT 2810, AERT 2820)

GI Bill© and VA Education Benefits
The Aviation Flight Technology program and courses do not qualify for GI Bill© or VA education benefits. However, many students are eligible for other military education benefits; please contact Nontraditional and Military Student Services at 419 372-8136 or ntmss@bgsu.edu for further information. 

AERT2200 Private Pilot Ground School

• Jeppesen Private Pilot textbook
• FAR/AIM Manual*
• FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (digital or hard copy)
• FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (digital or hard copy)
• Gleim Test Prep – Private Pilot
• Flight Plotter*
• E6B Flight Computer *
  

AERT 2220 Private Pilot Flight I Lab

• All items denoted by * in the AERT 2200 list above,
• Pilot Headset*
• Detroit VFR Sectional*
• Pilot Logbook*
• View Limiting Device – Foggles*
• Flight Bag* 
• Pilot Operating Handbook* (wait to puchase this until after your first day of your flight lab ~$40.00)
  

AERT 2230 Private Pilot Flight II Lab

• All items denoted by * in the AERT2200/2220 list above,
• FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards – (digital or hard copy)
• VFR Sectional appropriate for cross country route of flight
• Electronic timer and Kneeboard
• FAA Chart Supplement

AERT 2800 Instrument Pilot Ground School

• Jeppesen Instrument Commercial textbook
• Gleim Instrument Pilot Test Prep
• E6B Flight Computer**
• FAR/AIM Manual**
• FAA Instrument Flying Handbook (digital or hard copy)
• FAA Instrument Procedures Handbook (digital or hard copy)

AERT 2810 Instrument Pilot I Flight Lab

• All items denoted in the AERT 2200/2220 by * and AERT 2800 by ** lists above,
• VFR Sectional appropriate for area of flight operations
• FAA Chart Supplement
• Terminal Procedure Publication or Electronic Subscription (Instrument Approach Plates)
• IFR Low Enroute Chart appropriate for area of flight operations