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FAQ

FAQ2023-06-13T13:37:18-07:00

The following are answers to some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. For additional information please contact us!

Contact Us

The following are answers to some of our most Frequently Asked Questions. For additional information please contact us!

Contact Us
Do I need an airplane license before I learn to fly helicopters?2023-05-03T09:12:36-07:00

No! Airplane and helicopter pilot certifications are completely separate. No airplane pilot certificate or prior flight time is required to begin flying helicopters.

Does Universal issue VISAs and/or help with immigration?2023-05-03T14:45:41-07:00

Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters have been providing flight training to foreign student applicants for years. We have extensive experience with the processes involved and are approved to issue authorization letters for M-1 Foreign Student Visas, as required, to receive flight training in the U.S. We also work directly with applicants regarding TSA applications and processing.

Please contact us to learn more.

How soon can I start?2023-05-03T14:47:32-07:00

We maintain a flexible infrastructure that allows most students to start right away! Please contact us to learn more.

Do I need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot?2023-05-03T09:15:21-07:00

This is a long-held misconception. The current FAA requirement is 20/20 corrected vision.

What’s the difference between Part 141 and Part 61 training?2023-05-03T14:48:05-07:00

The difference between training under Part 61 and Part 141 can be difficult for a new student unfamiliar with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to understand.

CFR 14 Part 61 of the FARs outlines the requirements and standards for pilot certificates and ratings. Any Certified Flight Instructor may conduct training under Part 61.

CFR 14 Part 141 of the FARs is a set of requirements and standards for certified flight schools.

Becoming a Part 141 Certified Flight School comes with a long list of requirements, standards, and procedures for your school’s curriculum, personnel, facility, and aircraft. As a student at a Part 141 school, you will be subject to a more rigid training structure with optimized curriculum, efficient scheduling, and professional personnel.

There are many benefits to training under Part 141 certificates, and it is often preferred by our career-oriented students. Training under our optimized Part 141 certificates allows capable students to train at an accelerated pace and acquire their certificates and ratings in fewer total flight hours while ensuring a very high standard of training. Receiving your Commercial Pilot Certificate from a Part 141 school is also necessary for pilots wishing to apply for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP), receiving your ATP certificate in fewer than 1500 hours.

Please contact us to learn more.

How is the career outlook for pilots?2023-05-03T14:48:30-07:00

The career outlook for airplane and helicopter pilots has never been stronger!

In 2020, facing complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines offered early retirement packages to tens of thousands of pilots nearing retirement age. Most pilots took their offer, leaving airlines with a severe shortage in 2023. With thousands more pilots set to retire in coming years, and airline travel expected to double in the next 15 years, many projections have airlines facing a shortage of 30,000+ pilots by 2032.

In an attempt to ease their shortage, airlines are now taking pilots from the helicopter industry, leaving a new-forming shortage of helicopter pilots as well.

Simply put, career outlook, job security, and salaries are at all time high for both airplane and helicopter pilots. Please contact us to learn more.

Do you accept the VA Bill for flight training?2023-04-17T13:11:15-07:00

We do not currently accept the VA Bill for flight training.

Can Universal help with job placement after I graduate?2023-05-26T13:03:34-07:00

Once you’ve gained all necessary flight time working as an instructor, we are uniquely positioned to provide unmatched job placement assistance, with close contacts and graduates in critical hiring and management positions at many operators worldwide.

We can provide assistance to our Airline Pilot Career Program students who wish to enroll in a cadet program with a regional airline. Regional cadet programs have many benefits including access to tuition reimbursement and direct-flow access to major airlines. Please contact us to learn more.

Please visit our Regional Cadet Programs & Job Placement Assistance page to learn more.

Are Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters the same company?2023-04-17T12:56:17-07:00

Yes. Universal Helicopters was founded 20+ years ago in Scottsdale, Arizona. We changed our name to Universal Flight Concepts in 2019 to accommodate the addition of airplane flight training programs. Universal Helicopters remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Flight Concepts and we often use the names interchangeably because of Universal Helicopters’ world-wide acclaim.

Do you offer financing?2023-05-26T13:02:12-07:00

We offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

We also assist our Airline Pilot Career Program students with their enrollment in a regional airline cadet program, where they can gain access to tuition reimbursement.

I see some flight schools offer an “accelerated” program. Does Universal?2023-05-26T13:01:40-07:00

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, and be wary of any flight school who advertises their program as “accelerated.”

“Accelerated” is a marketing term some flight schools use to advertise their reduced-hours Part 141 certificates. And while we have our own FAA-approved reduced-hours Part 141 certificates, we do not advertise our courses as “accelerated.” While keeping to an expeditious timeline is important, we believe in placing quality and safety above all else.

We are one of the only flight schools that maintain the infrastructure, curriculum, aircraft, and high-time personnel to help students achieve their goals on an expeditious timeline. Placing safety, quality and efficiency first is what allows our students to graduate in a shorter elapsed time than most other flight schools.

Please visit our Why Universal page to learn more.

What certificates does Universal offer?2023-05-26T13:05:22-07:00

Private Pilot Helicopter, Commercial Pilot Helicopter, Instrument Rating Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating Helicopter

Private Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Instrument Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL), Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL)

We also offer advanced training courses to helicopter pilots including Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Initial, Recurrent, and Instructor, Turbine Transition Training, High-Altitude Training, and an Autorotation Refresher Course. Additionally, we are the only Bell-Certified Training Facility in the U.S.

Most of our courses are available as a single-certificate course or as part of our broader career programs. We are FAA-certified to conduct training under Part 141 for most courses.

Please contact us to learn more.

How long does training take?2023-05-26T13:00:52-07:00

Training times vary depending on certificates and ratings sought.

Full-time students in our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program are typically finished with their training in six to eight months! Please contact us to learn more.

What would my training schedule be like?2023-05-26T13:00:00-07:00

Full-time students of our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program receive an average of 3-4 hours of ground training and 1-2 hours of flight training daily.

Students typically have their selection of a morning or afternoon training block. Please contact us to learn more.

What kind of aircraft does Universal use for training?2023-05-26T12:58:26-07:00

At Universal we take tremendous pride in the quality of our Aircraft. We maintain an immaculate fleet of Robinson, Bell, and Tecnam helicopters and airplanes. Featuring state-of-the-art avionics, all-glass cockpits, advanced safety systems, and industry-leading performance, every aircraft in our fleet was hand-selected by our CEO and custom-ordered from its respective factory to best suit the needs of our students during every stage of their career-oriented training.

How much does flight training cost?2023-05-03T14:51:31-07:00

Costs vary depending on your goals, certificates sought, and prior experience.

Many flight schools advertise a very low price, i.e., the cost of training if you earn each certificate/rating at the minimum required time, a nearly impossible feat for even the most capable student pilots. These schools also ask for a large sum of capital up front, knowing they lack the infrastructure and staff to enable even the most capable student to finish at the quoted minimums.

At Universal we take a very different approach. We are honest and up-front about the cost of training, discussing realistic expectations and offering a pay-as-you-go structure.

We do offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

Do I need an airplane license before I learn to fly helicopters?2023-05-03T09:12:36-07:00

No! Airplane and helicopter pilot certifications are completely separate. No airplane pilot certificate or prior flight time is required to begin flying helicopters.

Does Universal issue VISAs and/or help with immigration?2023-05-03T14:45:41-07:00

Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters have been providing flight training to foreign student applicants for years. We have extensive experience with the processes involved and are approved to issue authorization letters for M-1 Foreign Student Visas, as required, to receive flight training in the U.S. We also work directly with applicants regarding TSA applications and processing.

Please contact us to learn more.

How soon can I start?2023-05-03T14:47:32-07:00

We maintain a flexible infrastructure that allows most students to start right away! Please contact us to learn more.

Do I need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot?2023-05-03T09:15:21-07:00

This is a long-held misconception. The current FAA requirement is 20/20 corrected vision.

What’s the difference between Part 141 and Part 61 training?2023-05-03T14:48:05-07:00

The difference between training under Part 61 and Part 141 can be difficult for a new student unfamiliar with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to understand.

CFR 14 Part 61 of the FARs outlines the requirements and standards for pilot certificates and ratings. Any Certified Flight Instructor may conduct training under Part 61.

CFR 14 Part 141 of the FARs is a set of requirements and standards for certified flight schools.

Becoming a Part 141 Certified Flight School comes with a long list of requirements, standards, and procedures for your school’s curriculum, personnel, facility, and aircraft. As a student at a Part 141 school, you will be subject to a more rigid training structure with optimized curriculum, efficient scheduling, and professional personnel.

There are many benefits to training under Part 141 certificates, and it is often preferred by our career-oriented students. Training under our optimized Part 141 certificates allows capable students to train at an accelerated pace and acquire their certificates and ratings in fewer total flight hours while ensuring a very high standard of training. Receiving your Commercial Pilot Certificate from a Part 141 school is also necessary for pilots wishing to apply for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP), receiving your ATP certificate in fewer than 1500 hours.

Please contact us to learn more.

How is the career outlook for pilots?2023-05-03T14:48:30-07:00

The career outlook for airplane and helicopter pilots has never been stronger!

In 2020, facing complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines offered early retirement packages to tens of thousands of pilots nearing retirement age. Most pilots took their offer, leaving airlines with a severe shortage in 2023. With thousands more pilots set to retire in coming years, and airline travel expected to double in the next 15 years, many projections have airlines facing a shortage of 30,000+ pilots by 2032.

In an attempt to ease their shortage, airlines are now taking pilots from the helicopter industry, leaving a new-forming shortage of helicopter pilots as well.

Simply put, career outlook, job security, and salaries are at all time high for both airplane and helicopter pilots. Please contact us to learn more.

Do you accept the VA Bill for flight training?2023-04-17T13:11:15-07:00

We do not currently accept the VA Bill for flight training.

Can Universal help with job placement after I graduate?2023-05-26T13:03:34-07:00

Once you’ve gained all necessary flight time working as an instructor, we are uniquely positioned to provide unmatched job placement assistance, with close contacts and graduates in critical hiring and management positions at many operators worldwide.

We can provide assistance to our Airline Pilot Career Program students who wish to enroll in a cadet program with a regional airline. Regional cadet programs have many benefits including access to tuition reimbursement and direct-flow access to major airlines. Please contact us to learn more.

Please visit our Regional Cadet Programs & Job Placement Assistance page to learn more.

Are Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters the same company?2023-04-17T12:56:17-07:00

Yes. Universal Helicopters was founded 20+ years ago in Scottsdale, Arizona. We changed our name to Universal Flight Concepts in 2019 to accommodate the addition of airplane flight training programs. Universal Helicopters remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Flight Concepts and we often use the names interchangeably because of Universal Helicopters’ world-wide acclaim.

Do you offer financing?2023-05-26T13:02:12-07:00

We offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

We also assist our Airline Pilot Career Program students with their enrollment in a regional airline cadet program, where they can gain access to tuition reimbursement.

I see some flight schools offer an “accelerated” program. Does Universal?2023-05-26T13:01:40-07:00

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, and be wary of any flight school who advertises their program as “accelerated.”

“Accelerated” is a marketing term some flight schools use to advertise their reduced-hours Part 141 certificates. And while we have our own FAA-approved reduced-hours Part 141 certificates, we do not advertise our courses as “accelerated.” While keeping to an expeditious timeline is important, we believe in placing quality and safety above all else.

We are one of the only flight schools that maintain the infrastructure, curriculum, aircraft, and high-time personnel to help students achieve their goals on an expeditious timeline. Placing safety, quality and efficiency first is what allows our students to graduate in a shorter elapsed time than most other flight schools.

Please visit our Why Universal page to learn more.

What certificates does Universal offer?2023-05-26T13:05:22-07:00

Private Pilot Helicopter, Commercial Pilot Helicopter, Instrument Rating Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating Helicopter

Private Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Instrument Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL), Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL)

We also offer advanced training courses to helicopter pilots including Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Initial, Recurrent, and Instructor, Turbine Transition Training, High-Altitude Training, and an Autorotation Refresher Course. Additionally, we are the only Bell-Certified Training Facility in the U.S.

Most of our courses are available as a single-certificate course or as part of our broader career programs. We are FAA-certified to conduct training under Part 141 for most courses.

Please contact us to learn more.

How long does training take?2023-05-26T13:00:52-07:00

Training times vary depending on certificates and ratings sought.

Full-time students in our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program are typically finished with their training in six to eight months! Please contact us to learn more.

What would my training schedule be like?2023-05-26T13:00:00-07:00

Full-time students of our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program receive an average of 3-4 hours of ground training and 1-2 hours of flight training daily.

Students typically have their selection of a morning or afternoon training block. Please contact us to learn more.

What kind of aircraft does Universal use for training?2023-05-26T12:58:26-07:00

At Universal we take tremendous pride in the quality of our Aircraft. We maintain an immaculate fleet of Robinson, Bell, and Tecnam helicopters and airplanes. Featuring state-of-the-art avionics, all-glass cockpits, advanced safety systems, and industry-leading performance, every aircraft in our fleet was hand-selected by our CEO and custom-ordered from its respective factory to best suit the needs of our students during every stage of their career-oriented training.

How much does flight training cost?2023-05-03T14:51:31-07:00

Costs vary depending on your goals, certificates sought, and prior experience.

Many flight schools advertise a very low price, i.e., the cost of training if you earn each certificate/rating at the minimum required time, a nearly impossible feat for even the most capable student pilots. These schools also ask for a large sum of capital up front, knowing they lack the infrastructure and staff to enable even the most capable student to finish at the quoted minimums.

At Universal we take a very different approach. We are honest and up-front about the cost of training, discussing realistic expectations and offering a pay-as-you-go structure.

We do offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

Do I need an airplane license before I learn to fly helicopters?2023-05-03T09:12:36-07:00

No! Airplane and helicopter pilot certifications are completely separate. No airplane pilot certificate or prior flight time is required to begin flying helicopters.

Does Universal issue VISAs and/or help with immigration?2023-05-03T14:45:41-07:00

Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters have been providing flight training to foreign student applicants for years. We have extensive experience with the processes involved and are approved to issue authorization letters for M-1 Foreign Student Visas, as required, to receive flight training in the U.S. We also work directly with applicants regarding TSA applications and processing.

Please contact us to learn more.

How soon can I start?2023-05-03T14:47:32-07:00

We maintain a flexible infrastructure that allows most students to start right away! Please contact us to learn more.

Do I need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot?2023-05-03T09:15:21-07:00

This is a long-held misconception. The current FAA requirement is 20/20 corrected vision.

What’s the difference between Part 141 and Part 61 training?2023-05-03T14:48:05-07:00

The difference between training under Part 61 and Part 141 can be difficult for a new student unfamiliar with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) to understand.

CFR 14 Part 61 of the FARs outlines the requirements and standards for pilot certificates and ratings. Any Certified Flight Instructor may conduct training under Part 61.

CFR 14 Part 141 of the FARs is a set of requirements and standards for certified flight schools.

Becoming a Part 141 Certified Flight School comes with a long list of requirements, standards, and procedures for your school’s curriculum, personnel, facility, and aircraft. As a student at a Part 141 school, you will be subject to a more rigid training structure with optimized curriculum, efficient scheduling, and professional personnel.

There are many benefits to training under Part 141 certificates, and it is often preferred by our career-oriented students. Training under our optimized Part 141 certificates allows capable students to train at an accelerated pace and acquire their certificates and ratings in fewer total flight hours while ensuring a very high standard of training. Receiving your Commercial Pilot Certificate from a Part 141 school is also necessary for pilots wishing to apply for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (R-ATP), receiving your ATP certificate in fewer than 1500 hours.

Please contact us to learn more.

How is the career outlook for pilots?2023-05-03T14:48:30-07:00

The career outlook for airplane and helicopter pilots has never been stronger!

In 2020, facing complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines offered early retirement packages to tens of thousands of pilots nearing retirement age. Most pilots took their offer, leaving airlines with a severe shortage in 2023. With thousands more pilots set to retire in coming years, and airline travel expected to double in the next 15 years, many projections have airlines facing a shortage of 30,000+ pilots by 2032.

In an attempt to ease their shortage, airlines are now taking pilots from the helicopter industry, leaving a new-forming shortage of helicopter pilots as well.

Simply put, career outlook, job security, and salaries are at all time high for both airplane and helicopter pilots. Please contact us to learn more.

Do you accept the VA Bill for flight training?2023-04-17T13:11:15-07:00

We do not currently accept the VA Bill for flight training.

Can Universal help with job placement after I graduate?2023-05-26T13:03:34-07:00

Once you’ve gained all necessary flight time working as an instructor, we are uniquely positioned to provide unmatched job placement assistance, with close contacts and graduates in critical hiring and management positions at many operators worldwide.

We can provide assistance to our Airline Pilot Career Program students who wish to enroll in a cadet program with a regional airline. Regional cadet programs have many benefits including access to tuition reimbursement and direct-flow access to major airlines. Please contact us to learn more.

Please visit our Regional Cadet Programs & Job Placement Assistance page to learn more.

Are Universal Flight Concepts and Universal Helicopters the same company?2023-04-17T12:56:17-07:00

Yes. Universal Helicopters was founded 20+ years ago in Scottsdale, Arizona. We changed our name to Universal Flight Concepts in 2019 to accommodate the addition of airplane flight training programs. Universal Helicopters remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of Universal Flight Concepts and we often use the names interchangeably because of Universal Helicopters’ world-wide acclaim.

Do you offer financing?2023-05-26T13:02:12-07:00

We offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

We also assist our Airline Pilot Career Program students with their enrollment in a regional airline cadet program, where they can gain access to tuition reimbursement.

I see some flight schools offer an “accelerated” program. Does Universal?2023-05-26T13:01:40-07:00

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, and be wary of any flight school who advertises their program as “accelerated.”

“Accelerated” is a marketing term some flight schools use to advertise their reduced-hours Part 141 certificates. And while we have our own FAA-approved reduced-hours Part 141 certificates, we do not advertise our courses as “accelerated.” While keeping to an expeditious timeline is important, we believe in placing quality and safety above all else.

We are one of the only flight schools that maintain the infrastructure, curriculum, aircraft, and high-time personnel to help students achieve their goals on an expeditious timeline. Placing safety, quality and efficiency first is what allows our students to graduate in a shorter elapsed time than most other flight schools.

Please visit our Why Universal page to learn more.

What certificates does Universal offer?2023-05-26T13:05:22-07:00

Private Pilot Helicopter, Commercial Pilot Helicopter, Instrument Rating Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Certificate Helicopter, Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Rating Helicopter

Private Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Pilot Certificate Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Instrument Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Certified Flight Instructor Rating Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL), Commercial Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL), Certified Flight Instructor Multi-Engine Land Class Rating (MEL)

We also offer advanced training courses to helicopter pilots including Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Initial, Recurrent, and Instructor, Turbine Transition Training, High-Altitude Training, and an Autorotation Refresher Course. Additionally, we are the only Bell-Certified Training Facility in the U.S.

Most of our courses are available as a single-certificate course or as part of our broader career programs. We are FAA-certified to conduct training under Part 141 for most courses.

Please contact us to learn more.

How long does training take?2023-05-26T13:00:52-07:00

Training times vary depending on certificates and ratings sought.

Full-time students in our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program are typically finished with their training in six to eight months! Please contact us to learn more.

What would my training schedule be like?2023-05-26T13:00:00-07:00

Full-time students of our Airline Pilot Career Program and Helicopter Pilot Career Program receive an average of 3-4 hours of ground training and 1-2 hours of flight training daily.

Students typically have their selection of a morning or afternoon training block. Please contact us to learn more.

What kind of aircraft does Universal use for training?2023-05-26T12:58:26-07:00

At Universal we take tremendous pride in the quality of our Aircraft. We maintain an immaculate fleet of Robinson, Bell, and Tecnam helicopters and airplanes. Featuring state-of-the-art avionics, all-glass cockpits, advanced safety systems, and industry-leading performance, every aircraft in our fleet was hand-selected by our CEO and custom-ordered from its respective factory to best suit the needs of our students during every stage of their career-oriented training.

How much does flight training cost?2023-05-03T14:51:31-07:00

Costs vary depending on your goals, certificates sought, and prior experience.

Many flight schools advertise a very low price, i.e., the cost of training if you earn each certificate/rating at the minimum required time, a nearly impossible feat for even the most capable student pilots. These schools also ask for a large sum of capital up front, knowing they lack the infrastructure and staff to enable even the most capable student to finish at the quoted minimums.

At Universal we take a very different approach. We are honest and up-front about the cost of training, discussing realistic expectations and offering a pay-as-you-go structure.

We do offer Financing OAC. Please contact us to learn more.

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