Aviation is not only about ease of transportation, high-tech transport and travel around the world; this is a calling. Modern Russian airlines are experiencing an acute shortage of qualified personnel. The times when schools and institutes lacked teachers and equipment are long gone. Today, everyone can receive a comprehensive aviation education by learning on modern aircraft and simulators. Each educational institution is also equipped with laboratories, workshops and modern classrooms. There are civil aviation institutes and flight schools in many regions of Russia. Let's take a closer look at them.
To obtain higher education in the aviation field, you should enroll in a higher civil aviation flight school or a corresponding civil aviation institute. There are a lot of them in Russia. The most prestigious universities are located in the following cities:
- Ulyanovsk;
- Moscow;
- Saint Petersburg;
- Samara;
- Kazan;
- Chelyabinsk.
Today, university education programs include time-tested methods and modern European teaching technologies. The list of subjects that future graduates will encounter includes general and humanities disciplines, foreign languages, physical training, as well as highly specialized subjects.
Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation (UI GA) is one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
Future specialists, bachelors, and graduate students can get an education here. Here they study both full-time for 5 years and part-time (5.5 years). Students who already have specialized secondary aviation education or higher education behind them are trained in an abbreviated form. The institute offers a wide range of specializations including piloting, maintenance, flight control and management, and security. Cadets are provided with food and dormitory; The institute has a military department. The branches of the UI GA are several schools located in Sasovo, Omsk and Krasny Kut.
Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation (UI GA)
Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) is a large research university. Here, not only the training of students takes place, but also the design and development of the latest achievements in the aviation, rocket and space spheres. You can study for a fee or free of charge, full-time and part-time. Special preparation courses for admission are organized for applicants.
MAI faculties include not only specialized disciplines and areas: there are opportunities for teaching social engineering, foreign languages, applied mathematics and physics. The remaining faculties graduate specialists in the field of radio electronics, management, computer science, aviation components, etc. A dormitory has been created for nonresident students. The military department is also present at the university.
Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI)
State Technological Institute named after. Tsiolkovsky, or MATI, trains students in the development and operation of equipment for astronautics, as well as humanitarian areas. Currently, the university is merging with Moscow Aviation Institute. The forms of education correspond to the previous institutes; there are training courses for schoolchildren and graduates, and a military department.
The State Aerospace University in Samara has the status of a research educational institution. Future designers of aircraft and their components, engineers and technologists, specialists in the field of printing, economics, energy, etc. are trained here. The university has a branch located in the city of Tolyatti. The university has the opportunity to receive correspondence education, and also runs preparatory courses.
St. Petersburg is home to two venerable universities, one of which is dedicated mainly to aerospace instrumentation, and the second to civil aviation. The lists of faculties and specialties here are similar to similar universities in the country.
The cost of paid training depends on the specific institute and faculty. At MAI, for example, the first year of study will cost at least 144,000 rubles for a full-time course and 59,000 rubles for a part-time course. In St. Petersburg, full-time training costs from 2000 USD. e. and from 1000 cu. e. it costs correspondence.
Samara State Aerospace University
How to enter an aviation university
The rules for admission to aviation institutes and universities are in some respects similar to admission to civilian institutions. Applicants take the Unified State Exam in the required subjects (most often the Russian language, mathematics and physics). In addition, a flight medical examination is required, within the framework of which a detailed examination of the health status of the future student is carried out. Passing the selection is possible only after passing the commission and a successful psychological interview.
If the scores are the same, applicants are selected based on their success in passing specialized subjects. Applicants who did not qualify for the budget can apply for paid study. Girls can also study at universities, but they are often not accepted for training to pilot aircraft.
Benefits upon admission may be provided to orphans and representatives of socially vulnerable segments of the population. The practice of targeted direction is widespread, when the enterprise provides the applicant with a guarantee of employment upon graduation.
Secondary specialized educational institutions in the field of aviation
In addition to universities or institutes, numerous civil aviation schools in Russia provide educational opportunities. They are located in different cities, have options for admission based on grades 9 or 11, and have different lists of specialties of study. Leading secondary educational institutions in the aviation sector are located in the following cities of Russia:
- Red Kut;
- Omsk;
- Buguruslan;
- Sasovo.
The Omsk Flight Technical College, the Krasnokutsk School and the Sasovo School are part of the branches of the Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation, and the Buguruslan School operates under the control of the St. Petersburg Institute of Civil Aviation. Such mergers of educational institutions help graduates of schools to enroll on a short-term basis at institutes or get a job in leading Russian companies and enterprises.
Russian civil aviation flight schools after 9th grade train cadets for 3 years 10 months. This opportunity is provided by the Omsk Flight College. It offers several specialties: airplane and helicopter pilot (one of the few institutions that offer helicopter training), flight mechanic, aircraft mechanic, navigation and radio equipment engineer.
The school has about 1,000 students, including both full-time and part-time students. The selection process for college is very strict: as a rule, only half of the applicants successfully pass it. The cadets train on airplanes and the Mi-8 helicopter. For the successful development of the educational and methodological program, there is an airfield, hangars, warehouses, laboratories and workshops on the college territory - all for theoretical and practical classes.
Russian civil aviation flight schools after 11th grade are presented in a wider range of options. Omsk College, mentioned above, provides the opportunity to enroll after 11th grade. In addition to it, the Krasnokutsk School, a school for civil aviation pilots, operates in Russia. Education based on 11 classes lasts for a period of 2 years and 10 months. Future pilots train on 5 types of aircraft and various simulators. In total, about 300 people study in Krasny Kut. Cadets are provided with dormitory, food and uniform. There is the possibility of training on a paid basis, the cost of which for the entire period will be more than 100,000 rubles.
Omsk Flight Technical College
Future commercial pilots receive full-time training in Buguruslan. The duration of study is standard for the specialty. Each year, the school enrolls about 320 people; Most of the cadets study for free, the rest study at their own expense. The college has a large fleet of aircraft, simulators and other elements of modern equipment. Paid training here costs a lot, more than 2.7 million rubles for the entire time.
Sasovo also provides training for civil aviation pilots and information equipment technicians. Previously, this school was considered especially prestigious due to its proximity to the capital. Its current condition is also good: the school is well equipped with everything necessary. You can study for a fee or for free.
All Russian aviation schools, in addition to the general training course for cadets, provide paid services. This could be retraining of personnel, various courses including teaching English. Each of them is equipped with a dining room and catering unit; cadets are given free meals three times a day. In addition, colleges are equipped with assembly halls, sports complexes with various halls and sections, and dormitories.
Cadets on the territory of schools are required to comply with a strict daily routine and rules of conduct, leave the territory at a set time for a certain period, and meet the requirements in their studies and everyday life. Orphans and socially vulnerable cadets are provided with financial assistance, social scholarships, and allowances for the purchase of things necessary for study. Students of budgetary departments receive a scholarship.
Sasovo Flight School
The rules for admission to secondary specialized educational institutions are the same. First of all, the average score of the certificate after 9 or 11 grades is taken into account. Among them, mathematics, physics, Russian and foreign languages, in that order, are of particular importance. In case of dispute, grades in these subjects will be the deciding factor for admission. Passing marks may vary from college to college. They are high in Sasovo, Omsk and slightly lower in Krasny Kut and Buguruslan.
An equally important factor in how to enter a flight school in Russia is a psychological interview and a medical commission. The timing of its implementation is strictly established, since the duration of each certificate may be different. There is a fee for passing the commission. Usually it can be completed either at the educational institution itself or at another medical institution adapted for this purpose. The studies include a comprehensive examination of doctors: dentist, psychiatrist, narcologist, venereologist, radiologist, surgeon, etc. In addition, blood, urine, stool tests are taken, x-rays, ECG, etc. Successful completion of the commission is one of the most important conditions for enrollment in any aviation school.
For admission to both a college and a Russian university, the applicant’s application, identification documents, a certificate, and the results of the Unified State Examination in higher education are required. In addition, you will need an insurance card, military ID and medical insurance.
Employment after graduation from institutes and schools
Graduates of aviation educational institutions have a chance to get a job in their specialty in airlines, factories in the production of aircraft, helicopter and space equipment and air hubs. The chances of employment as pilots increase with a sufficient number of flight hours and a high level of foreign language proficiency.
Finding employment after graduation can be difficult, despite the fact that Russian enterprises require employees. As a rule, each secondary school cooperates with a number of organizations and companies that regularly send lists of vacancies. Many graduates choose to continue their specialized studies at the institute or go to military service.
You can become a pilot at one of the many flight schools in the country. In order to successfully enter a flight school, you need to understand what admission conditions exist and what is required of the candidate. Accordingly, civilian training trains pilots for civil transportation and commercial organizations, while military training trains pilots for service in the air force.
Admission to flight school - entrance exams and required documents
Age is determined as of August 1 of the year of admission. Military personnel who have expressed a desire to enroll in the school to study as cadets submit a report addressed to the commander of the military unit before April 1. The arrival of candidates is carried out by call from the university through the departments of the military commissariats of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation at the candidate’s place of residence. Candidates who do not pass the professional selection are sent to military commissariats at their place of residence, military personnel leave for the place of military service.
Flight schools train future pilots and aviation technicians. Flight schools offer training to become a civil or commercial pilot. To train as a pilot, you also need a certificate of successful completion of psychological selection. The site does not store personal information of citizens of the Russian Federation (registration is closed, comments are disabled).
You can become a professional pilot by enrolling in one of the many flight schools in Russia. Studying at a vocational school can not only provide you with a sought-after and interesting working specialty, but also become an excellent start for you in obtaining higher education. Today in Russia there is only one educational institution that trains circus performers - the State Central Theater Institute named after M. Rumyantsev. The Nakhimov Naval School, unlike most military educational institutions, is not a university, but is focused on preparing students for study at higher military educational institutions. Before deciding to enroll in a particular educational institution, it is worth studying the list of flight schools in Russia.
Every boy in childhood wanted to become an astronaut, pilot or military man. After all, being a Suvorov soldier and wearing a Suvorov uniform is a great honor for most boys. But, unfortunately, not everyone can enter the Suvorov Military School.
Applicants take the Unified State Exam in the required subjects (most often the Russian language, mathematics and physics). Applicants who did not qualify for the budget can apply for paid study. Girls can also study at universities, but they are often not accepted for training to pilot aircraft.
There remain a considerable part of those who did not change their childhood dream, planning to devote their future to aviation, and after school they entered a flight school. For those who have dreamed of blue epaulets all their lives, understand perfectly what “iron discipline” is and are ready to connect their lives with the army, it is worth choosing to enroll in a military flight school. After graduating from college, graduates receive the rank of lieutenant and the qualification of a pilot according to the specification, as well as the civilian specialty of an aircraft operation engineer.
Graduates of civilian flight schools, people with higher aviation or technical education, and military pilots can study at the school.
If you want to serve in the air force, then go to the military aviation school. Please note that flight schools are divided into higher educational institutions and secondary technical ones. Upon graduation, you will receive a commercial pilot certificate. A method for those who want to learn to fly “for themselves”: Go to study as a pilot at a flying club.
Let’s take a closer look, using the example of a St. Petersburg university, as to what you need to pass to become a pilot. After college, you can enter the St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation at the command department.
To become a happy applicant to an aviation institute, you must collect and provide the admissions committee with a certain number of documents. All applications must clearly indicate that you are familiar with the institution's charter, teaching license, and the institution's certificate of accreditation. Studying the theory of flight science will play a very positive role when entering the specialty of the state aviation institute. In addition, the number of educational institutions that train excellent flight specialists is not so large. Therefore, there is a lot of competition for admission, and the requirements are not easy. Sports achievements (diplomas, medals, certificates or titles) will be very useful when applying, combining them with your knowledge, you can try to enroll in free education.
Flight school in Krasny Kut, Saratov region. Flight School named after G.A. Tarana, Sasovo, Ryazan region. Aviation flight technical school in Kaluga.
To obtain higher education in the aviation field, you should enroll in a higher civil aviation flight school or a corresponding civil aviation institute. State Technological Institute named after. Tsiolkovsky, or MATI, trains students in the development and operation of equipment for astronautics, as well as humanitarian areas. The State Aerospace University in Samara has the status of a research educational institution. In St. Petersburg, full-time training costs from 2000 USD. e. and from 1000 cu. e. it costs correspondence.
Upon completion, you will receive not only a higher military specialized education, but in addition the civilian specialty “Aircraft Operation”. Education at a military school is free, a referral can be issued by the military registration and enlistment office. However, studying in a civilian school is a little easier, and the health requirements are a little more relaxed than in a military school.
“Flight brotherhood” meant exactly this - trust, readiness to come to the rescue of a fellow winger. Some schools and flying clubs have their own traditions of “initiation into the Flight Brotherhood,” but these are rather exceptions than a widespread custom.
There are many Earthlings, and we are all very different. But among all people, some are distinguished by a special character - an ineradicable desire for the sky, a thirst for flight. It is from them that the best civil and military aviation pilots emerge. But other applicants also come to the admissions committees of flight schools. Some people were simply drawn to romance, others saw lucrative prospects in a pilot’s license, others go along with a friend who is obsessed with the sky.
In any case, it is better for each of the future cadets to know in advance what awaits them upon admission to flight school and after graduation. Many points that should be thought about before sending documents to the school admissions committee may be important for a subsequent successful career.
Military or civilian?
The first thing a future pilot has to decide is which school to prefer, civilian or military. Military schools have stricter requirements, including disciplinary ones. They pay a small stipend, provide uniforms and housing (in the barracks). Upon completion, you will receive not only a higher military specialized education, but in addition the civilian specialty “Aircraft Operation”. The main problem in obtaining the specialty of a military pilot is that in Russia today there is only one higher military aviation educational institution left in Krasnodar, and enrollment there does not happen every year. Accordingly, the competition is high and becoming a cadet is not easy. Education at a military school is free, a referral can be issued by the military registration and enlistment office. There, applicants will be able to get up-to-date answers to all questions related to the career of a military pilot.
There are much more opportunities to get the coveted civil aviation pilot qualifications. But here you should first decide why these very crusts are needed, what are your career aspirations and ambitions. To fly a light sports aircraft you do not need a higher education, but to work on large civil aviation airliners you need not only a higher education and a diploma as a line pilot, but also many hours of flight time.
Training in civil aviation educational institutions can be either budgetary or paid. There will be other costs associated with your studies. However, studying in a civilian school is a little easier, and the health requirements are a little more relaxed than in a military school.
What is needed for admission
- Good physical fitness and impeccable health. Applicants undergo a thorough medical examination, and even with excellent grades in the certificate and a high chance of passing the exams with “excellent” marks, they may fail due to health reasons. Moreover, if the student’s health worsens during his studies, the student may well be expelled.
- Age from 18 years
- Pass exams in the Russian language (exposition) and mathematics; for some specialties they also take physics
- Conclusion on professional suitability, which is issued after an interview with psychologists
What awaits a flight school graduate: career and prospects for professional growth
Like a driver's license, pilot certificates can be of different categories, and the opportunities that open up directly depend on the category. But not only the category is important: for example, graduates of higher educational institutions of civil aviation immediately receive a commercial pilot certificate, but this only gives them the right to fly as a co-pilot on most aircraft, and there are restrictions. This is due to the small number of flight hours.
And in order to become a line pilot and get the opportunity to fly on large airliners as an aircraft commander, according to Russian rules, at least 1,500 flight hours are required. Abroad, the requirements for the highest category of pilots are somewhat lower, and it is a little easier to get the coveted qualifications there.
However, the situation in Russian aviation is currently changing. Most pilots who received their specialty in Soviet times retire, and today's flight school graduates have much fewer opportunities to obtain the necessary flight hours. Therefore, many airlines are forced to reduce the requirements for the number of hours flown. Moreover, airlines are literally queuing up for graduates who have proven themselves well. Such pilots receive additional flight hours at the company’s training centers.
If you have no desire to make a career in the sky, and you only need certificates for flying for your own pleasure, you don’t have to waste time studying at a flight school. It’s easier to take courses at the nearest flying club. After fulfilling a number of standards and passing exams, you will be given a certificate as an amateur pilot, which will be quite enough to fly light airplanes and helicopters for your pleasure and join the “Flight Brotherhood” with a light heart.
Flight fraternity: what is it?
According to official sources, the “Flight Brotherhood” is a public organization created by graduates of the Kharkov Air Force Academy. In fact, the “fraternity of flight” refers to a special relationship that binds everyone involved in aviation. These relationships are based on friendship and mutual assistance. For example, in the old days, a pilot, finding himself in a hopeless situation in any city, could approach any unfamiliar colleague and ask for help - money, accommodation, etc. And get what you ask for. The debt was repaid strictly - by simple postal order or by mutual favor. “Flight brotherhood” meant exactly this - trust, readiness to come to the rescue of a fellow winger.
Unfortunately, all this is now a thing of the past. Some schools and flying clubs have their own traditions of “initiation into the Flight Brotherhood,” but these are rather exceptions than a widespread custom. “Flyers” simply communicate in their environment, helping their own as best they can - as happens in other communities united by a common passion, one hobby.
What about the girls?
But no one covers the girls’ path to aviation with roses. Until recently, no civil aviation academy accepted women into flight professions, until in 2007 one of the applicants sued the educational institution and won the case. Today, girls can also enter the flying profession, but airlines still prefer to hire men.
However, the growing shortage of personnel is forcing airline management to treat female pilots with increasing reverence. The leaders of the Sasovo Flight School even say that their graduates can outshine any male pilot.
The Last Frontier: How to Convince Your Parents
If parents believe that the pilot’s profession is too dangerous and not promising enough, and that it is better to choose more mundane and less adrenaline-fuelled professions, they need to be worked with and convinced. And you need to start as early as possible. The conversation should be conducted not on emotions, but with facts at the ready. For every argument of worried parents, there should be a whole volley of counterarguments, with facts, statistics and mathematical calculations.
The list of common objections is always approximately the same:
- “The profession is unpromising.” Nothing like that - very promising! In recent years, the country's aircraft fleet has been increasing annually by several dozen (or even hundreds) of aircraft, which will soon have no one to fly. Soviet-era pilots are retiring, and there are few new ones. The annual demand for pilots is about 2 thousand people, and flight schools graduate no more than 500 people.
- “Low salary” is not true! Pilots' salaries are more than decent, and increase in proportion to professional growth. Even a co-pilot can receive about 200 thousand rubles soon after graduating from school. In addition, there are pleasant bonuses: long vacations, early retirement, a good social package and big discounts on air tickets for the family. There are also excellent opportunities to work abroad: many airlines are happy to hire Russian pilots.
- “Planes crash, it’s dangerous” - what if we compare it with car accidents? There are countless more accidents on the roads and while driving cars on earth. Driving a car is much more dangerous than driving an airplane, but no one stops driving a car because of this.
In addition, many flight academies have military departments, which saves the graduate from military service.
How do the cadets live?
For those who are admitted to government-funded places, the state provides full support: uniforms, food, hostel for visitors, and a stipend. Cadets are also provided with all teaching aids and materials. Cadets of paid groups provide themselves with everything.
Discipline is strict inside the campus and within the walls of the school or academy. However, it is not as strict as in a military school, and with good motivation, cadets do not experience negative consequences from disciplinary requirements. And slobs and slobs have nothing to do in the sky.
Living conditions depend on each specific educational institution, as well as internal regulations.
Duration of training and cost
The training time for a flight specialty on the basis of secondary education (11 years) is 34 months (basic level)..
The cost of paid education is determined by each educational institution independently. For example, at the UVAU GA in the current academic year, training in the specialty “Flight Operation of Aircraft” will cost almost 90 thousand rubles for the theory. Correspondence education is noticeably cheaper: 35,500 rubles. As for the cost of practical flights for future pilots, for those studying on a commercial basis the amount starts from $140,000.
This is the renamed Krasnodar School named after A.K. Serov (or KVAI). The history of the school began in 1930, when, according to the order of the People's Commissar of Defense, the 30th Military School of Pilots was formed. At first, the institution was located in Chita. In 1939, it was named after Serov, who received the Hero of the Soviet Union and died during a military operation in Spain. In 1960, the school was relocated to Krasnodar.
Today, KVVAUL produces military pilots for service in bomber, fighter, attack, long-range, and military transport aviation. Cadets who have completed the full course of training receive the highest military specialty - military. In addition, civil qualifications “for the operation of aircraft and air traffic management” are also assigned.
This specialty fully complies with the educational standard adopted in Russia.
The school trains specialists in 4 faculties:
- basic flight training: study of theoretical fundamentals, initial flight training, cadets take place in Krasnodar;
- fighter aviation: flight personnel are trained at the Armavir training center (specialty - military pilot);
- bomber, attack aviation: training takes place at the Borisoglebsk Aviation Training Center in the specialty of bomber pilot, attack pilot;
- transport, long-range aviation: pilots are trained at the Balashov Aviation Training Center (civilian pilots are also trained here).
Syzran Military Flight School (SVAAUL or SVAI)
Another name is Syzran Military Institute. The only military flight school in the country that trains military helicopter pilots. Organized in 1940 as a pilot school, in 1998 it became a higher military educational institution. Today it is recruiting cadets for training in the specialty “aircraft operation, air traffic management.” profile - military helicopter pilot.
After graduating from college (period of 5 years), the cadet receives a qualification. The school has two faculties:
- flight: everyday, combat activities of aviation military units. After training, you are awarded the rank of lieutenant and the qualification of engineer-pilot.
- technical: operation of engines, aircraft, their repair. As well as the operation of navigation, flight systems and radio-electronic equipment. The qualification “military technician” is awarded. The duration of study at this faculty is 3 years.
If you have benefits for admission, for example, you are an orphan, or the son of a military serviceman, then you need to attach to your application documentary evidence from the social welfare department of your or district, or other government agencies. Then the entrance exams will give you an interview.
Once the documents have been accepted, you will be assigned days to arrive and take the entrance exams. As a rule, in military schools they take mathematics, dictation, and physical training, but it is better to check the exact list of subjects with the admissions committee.
Please note
Back Information Useful information How to enter a military school. Candidates entering the Military Institute of Physical Culture must have sports titles or sports ranks of at least second in one of the sports; for the Military Institute (military conductors) of the Military University - professional skills in playing one of the instruments of a brass band.
Useful advice
Who has the right to enter the Suvorov Military School? In accordance with the instructions (Appendix No. 1 to the order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation dated January 15, 2001 No. 29), minor male citizens of the Russian Federation aged no older than 15 years can enter the Suvorov military schools and cadet (naval cadet) corps (as of December 31 year of admission), who graduated from the 8th grade of a general education institution, respectively, in the year of admission...
A flight aviation college or school trains future aviation technicians and pilots. The main difference between a technical school and a college is that in addition to the basic training provided to students by technical schools, colleges also add an advanced training program.
Choosing an educational institution
You shouldn’t enroll in a flight and aviation college under the influence of a momentary impulse of feelings or just for company with your best friend. Further education from the applicant will require patience and interest in the future profession. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider your flying specialty in advance and choose an educational institution. The first question that arises is the issue of accreditation of the future citadel of knowledge. Currently, both higher and secondary flight schools have performed well in this area of education. However, a pilot is still closer to secondary education, because belongs more to the field of machine operation than to engineering activities.
Sadly, according to statistics, the number of flight and aviation colleges in Russia has decreased, and the choice is not very large. Today, it is best to be guided by geographical factors when choosing a school. It is necessary to first find out whether the chosen school is a branch of a specialized university, where, if desired, it will be possible to obtain a higher education. If there is no flight school in nearby areas, you can contact the territorial selection commission, which is located in the regional office, for detailed information. If an applicant sees himself exclusively as a military pilot, then he should go straight to a higher educational institution.
Requirements for applicants
When entering a flight school, exams are taken or the Unified State Exam results are taken into account:
- mathematics;
- Russian language and literature;
- physics (for some specialties).
Graduates of secondary schools whose age does not exceed 25 years have the right to enter the school. But the most important criterion for learning to fly is the state of health. All certificates and results of medical tests of the applicant must be provided to the admissions committee. Their list includes certificates from a psychiatrist and narcologist. A complete list of medical documents can be found in the admissions office of each school. Another surprise for the applicant may be the number of photographs - about 12, so keep this in mind.
In addition to a school certificate and excellent health, the applicant will need quick reaction, the ability to make instant decisions, resistance to stressful situations and composure. The teaching does not promise to be easy, so be prepared to patiently complete all the tasks of the mentors.
