Frequently Asked Questions

As a newly graduated pilot with limited experience, you should have a flexible mindset towards which airline will be your first employer. We will strive to help you with lucrative options, however, we cannot guarantee that you will work for a specific airline of your choice.

The demand for pilots is dictated by the airlines and thus you should expect a base anywhere within Europe. It will not always be possible to choose freely and it is therefore wise that you have a flexible mindset when venturing into your pilot career. On the positive side of this, you will get to discover new places around the world and one of them might end up being your favorite in the end.

Since we cooperate with many different airlines who have different payment structures, we are not able to pinpoint your exact salary when you start working. Your salary will be competitive but can range from 2.800-4.000 EUR a month depending on the airline.

Please note that these numbers may change in relation to market rates, inflation and supply, and demand. In other words, you should view the above-mentioned numbers only as guidance to give you a general idea of the pay-scale for a newly graduated Junior First Officer.

Salary will increase over time as you gain more experience. A substantial increase in salary can be expected when and if you upgrade from First Officer to Captain. A process that can take anywhere from 5-10 years or sometimes even more.

With all the European airlines lined up for you, there will also be a greater palette of different aircraft you may end up flying after graduation. It is the need of the airline that dictates which aircraft you will fly for them.

A professional pilot must be reliable, punctual, and organized. You need the discipline to get through your studies and complete your assignments in a safe and efficient manner.

It´s important that a student in flight school is susceptible to feedback and constructive criticism. You are expected to share your knowledge and experience with your classmates and others at the flight school. It´s also important that a pilot is civil and has respect for others.

There is zero tolerance for narcotics and alcohol abuse.

Before you can apply for an integrated flight training education at OSM Aviation Academy you need to fulfill these requirements:

1. 18 years of age
2. Graduated from High School.
3. Pass an online Pilot Aptitude Test 
4. Pass an EASA Class 1 medical examination (the medical examination can be done after you apply, but must be done prior to the course start).

! Please note that if you are an international applicant from outside Europe you need to have a residence permit that allows you to live, work and study in Sweden or Norway.

For instructions on how to apply for these permits please visit:

• The Swedish Migration Agency
• The Norwegian Migration Agency

Read about the requirements for:

• Swedish applicants
• Norwegian applicants

The Pilot Aptitude Test will ensure that you have what it takes to complete the training and to become a professional pilot. So the simple answer to the question is: You need it for yourself!

An EASA Medical Class 1 is a requirement to become a professional pilot and it needs to be renewed each year. This is a requirement from the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA) and your pilot certificate is worthless without a valid medical certificate.

The evaluation can be scheduled with one of the approved Aero Medical centers:

SWEDEN

• Flyg- och Dykmedicinskt Centrum (Sabbatsberg Närsjukhus, Stockholm)
• Flygmedicinskt Centrum – FMC (Malmö, Sweden)

NORWAY

• Norges Flymedisinske Senter (Oslo, Norway)
• Flymedisinsk Institut (Oslo, Norway)

All employers in the aviation industry demand an extract from your criminal records before employment. We have no demands for your criminal records however you will need it after your education to work as a professional pilot.

Please note that if you are an international applicant from outside Europe you need to have a student visa that allows you to study in Sweden, Norway, or the USA.

A student visa is the student's responsibility, OSM Aviation Academy will however issue an Invitation Letter once you are accepted to the program and have paid the application fee.

FIRST OFFICER PROGRAM, SWEDEN & NORWAY:

Residence permit for studies in Sweden is applied through the Swedish Migration Agency.

Residence permit for studies in Norway is applied through the Norwegian Migration Agency.

PROFESSIONAL PILOT PROGRAM, USA / SWEDEN:

Student visa for training in San Diego, USA is applied through the American Embassy.

Residence permit for the last training months in Sweden is applied through the Swedish Migration Agency.

The Pilot Aptitude Test is a test that we use to ensure that you have what it takes to become a professional pilot.

If you would like to sign up for the online Pilot Aptitude Test at OSM Aviation Academy you can click below.

Click here to register for your Pilot Aptitude Test

You will be tested in the following capacities during the test:

• Personality
• Hand-eye co-ordination
• Sense of direction
• Multitasking ability
• Monitoring ability
• Logical reasoning 
• English

You have 3 attempts. 

The test is valid for one year.

The short answer is yes. In the same manner that you can train your body, you can also "take your brain to the gym" and make it better, stronger and faster. One of the most important things to think about, however, is to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before the tests.

If you want to learn some tips and tricks that can help you train your brain, we suggest that you download our guide, "How to prepare".

It usually takes 2-3 business days before you receive the results of your Pilot Aptitude Test.

 

EASA Medical Class 1 needs to be completed and sent to OSM Aviation Academy before the course start. We recommend you do the EASA Medical Class 1 evaluation after you have received an acceptance letter, as there is a fee for the evaluation.

The evaluation can be scheduled with one of the approved Aero Medical centers:

SWEDEN

• Flyg- och Dykmedicinskt Centrum (Sabbatsberg Närsjukhus, Stockholm)
• Flygmedicinskt Centrum – FMC (Malmö, Sweden)

NORWAY

• Norges Flymedisinske Senter (Oslo, Norway)
• Flymedisinsk Institut (Oslo, Norway)

You are allowed to wear glasses. The acuity with or without correction (glasses or lenses) shall be 0,7 or better for each eye and with both eyes 1,0 or better. You cannot be more astigmatic than 2 Dp.

If you are unsure about your eyesight and/or any of the limitations, consult an aviation medical examiner. You can find a complete list of medical examiners in Sweden on the Swedish CAA website.

Laser-surgery of the cornea can be a problem. The applicant can get approval from the authorities after an extra assessment.

It depends to what extent. The Ishihara-test must be passed. Contact a flight-doctor for further information.

If you use insulin through injections you will be disqualified. On the other hand, it's okay if you take tablets that are used for the mild form or early stage of diabetes.

Diabetic and obesity sometimes go in hand and with that come high blood pressure which is definitely not a good combination. But you can do something about it like regular exercise and a healthy diet. Basically, just remember to take good care of yourself to avoid that kind of disease.

Watch our video where a medical examiner is answering questions related to the Medical Class 1 examination: Can a pilot be obese, diabetic, colorblind or have ADHD?

 

Did we answer your question?

If we did not answer your question our recommendation is that you contact a medical center directly to get the most accurate answers.

It depends to what extent. Doing a medical examination will determine if you meet the requirements of a medical class 1 certificate.

Blood pressure above 160/95 on several occasions will most likely be disqualifying.

Low blood pressure that causes fainting and heart problems will inhibit you from obtaining a medical class 1 certificate.

You are not allowed to have any sort of heart problems.

There is no specific height that is too short or too tall. We can determine whether or not your height is within limits at our location in Västerås. Where we have the possibility of placing you in the cockpit of several aircraft to see if your length will be out of limits.

When flying an aircraft the length of your arms and legs, as well as the force you are able to apply to the control wheel and rudder pedals, has to be sufficient to safely operate as a commercial pilot.

Max Body Mass Index (BMI) to work as a pilot is 35. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilograms (kg), divided by your height in meters (m) squared.

For instance, a person weighing 105 kg and being 194 cm tall would calculate their BMI in the following manner:

1,94 x 1,94 = 3,7636

105 / 3,7636 ~ 27,9 BMI

With minor dyslexia, you need a flight psychologist to conduct a psychological evaluation and a review if you have any former investigations to make sure you can become a professional pilot.

If you have more severe dyslexia you can´t become a professional pilot.

• Sleep apnea
• Dizziness/balance disorder
• Epilepsy
• Migraine
• Insulin treatment for diabetes
• Using psychiatric medicine
• Untreated inguinal hernia or umbilical hernia

During a Pilot Open Day, you will have the opportunity to learn more about our school and how to become a commercial pilot.

You will learn more about the aviation industry and we will teach you how to line up on the runway and prepare for takeoff.

 

Yes! On our Pilot Open Days in Västerås, Sweden, you have the unique opportunity to schedule an introductory flight with one of our flight instructors in a Cessna 172 G1000!

The price of the intro-lesson is 120 EUR and there are a limited number of spots. Since these intro-lessons are very popular we recommend booking them well ahead of time.

Yes! On our Pilot Open Days in Västerås, Sweden, you have the unique opportunity to schedule an introductory session with one of our flight instructors in our Boeing 737 NG simulator!

The price for the simulator intro-lesson is 95 EUR and there are a limited number of spots available. Since they are very popular we recommend booking them well ahead of time.

You can find the next upcoming dates for our Pilot Open Days on our event site by clicking the button below.

The complimentary Pilot Open Days are held continuously in cities in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

• Arendal, Norway
• Oslo, Norway
• Västerås, Sweden
• Göteborg, Sweden
• Copenhagen, Denmark

The market for pilots looks brighter than it has in many years. This is a result of both a steadily rising number of passengers in the world and the fact that many of the airlines have a large number of older, soon retiring pilots. Read more about the market outlook here.

Boeing and Airbus have conducted extended market outlooks of the need for pilots and aircraft for the upcoming 15 years. Read their forecasts below:

See Boeing's market outlook

See Airbus' market outlook

OSM Aviation Academy also has a great collaboration with many different airlines. Read more about the partners here.

Being a Flight Instructor (FI) is one of the most rewarding careers you can have in aviation. You will also gain valuable experience as a teacher and Pilot in Command as you are teaching future generations of pilots.

Your logbook will also start filling up with Pilot in Command hours, a valuable column in your pilot logbook that will enable you to upgrade to Captain at a later stage in your career.

Becoming a Flight Instructor is not for everyone though, you must have a passion for teaching, and having a creative way of thinking helps in becoming a great educator. Some discover that they have a passion for teaching others during their own training, as they tutor classmates and more junior students in their spare time.

Read more about how to become a Flight Instructor here.

For all students graduating from one of our integrated programs, we offer a Career Support Program. This concept includes recurrent events where former students have the possibility to return to OSM Aviation Academy and refresh their knowledge. You can participate in a simulated job interview, receive support from our instructors and fly our Boeing 737NG Simulator.

We are tremendously proud of our students, we have from a front-row seat followed their personal development and how they have taken on all the challenges that come with a pilot education. We live by the motto that our students are future colleges, a mantra that is deep within our organization and it reflects in the competence and skills possessed by our graduated students.

The Career Support concept shows that we have complete confidence in our students. We know that they received the best pilot education available and have a high level of professionalism. Career Support was launched to make sure that all former students receive support for as long as it takes them to land their first pilot job.

Lånekassen

OSM Aviation Academy was given status as an approved higher vocational training provider in Norway by NOKUT on the 8th of April 2019.

This means that Norwegian citizens can apply for low-interest student loans through Lånekassen once they are enrolled in an integrated flight training education at OSM Aviation Academy in Arendal, Norway.

Read more about financing for Norwegian citizens on our Norwegian website.

Financing - CSN

Students enrolled in one of our integrated flight training programs are eligible to apply for student funding from the National Board of Student Aid (CSN). Please note that special requirements apply to non-Swedish students and that you may be more likely to receive student loans from your country of citizenship.

Follow the link to CSN’s website if you wish to read more about being approved by CSN.

As a foreign student, we recommend you contact your domestic student loan provider for an individual assessment to see if you are eligible for student funding.

Alternatively, you will have to solve the financial matters through a private loan, savings, or you might be fortunate to get help from your family and friends.

OSM Aviation Academy is striving to make your student life and flight education easier for you by offering scholarships and financial solutions.

At the moment we don't offer any scholarships, but we will update this page when the opportunity arises again.

Besides the cost of a medical exam and the cost of the Pilot Aptitude Test, you need to pay an application fee to secure your spot at our integrated program.

An invoice for the application fee will be sent after you have applied and successfully been admitted to one of our integrated programs.

Västerås is quite a popular city to live in and rent an apartment in downtown Västerås is usually expensive.

When you receive your enrolment certificate we will hand out suggestions of housing agents in Västerås. The rent is approximately 3 100 SEK to 6000 SEK per month depending on size and location. It is of utmost importance to book your apartment as soon as possible in order for you to guarantee accommodation.

Read more and apply for student housing with Bostad Västerås.

Below you will find alternatives for short-term accommodation in Västerås where OSM Aviation Academy offers a discounted price for our visitors.

Alternative 1 - Hotel Hässlö

Hotel Hässlö is situated within walking distance from the school. If you are planning on visiting us for a shorter period of time, this is a good option. As a visitor/student at our school, you will be offered a special student price for your accommodation.

Contact Person:
Eva Gråberg

Flottiljgatan 55,
721 31 Västerås
+46 (0)21 811010
info@hotellhasslo.se
www.hotellhasslo.se

Follow this link to see where the hotel is located.

Rooms with private bathroom and TV

• Per day 
  Single room 695 SEK
  Double room 945 SEK
  Family room 1295 SEK

All prices are incl. VAT.

This is included in the price:

• Breakfast buffet Monday through Friday from 06:30-08:30 CET
• Kiosk and reception where you can buy candy, soda, and more (Opening hours are Monday from 16.00 to 18.00, Tues-Fri from 16:30 to 18:00)
• Cleaning of the room once per week (optional)
• Wifi
• Gym and sauna
• Table tennis room
• TV-room
• Pool table
• The dining room where you have access to fridge and freezer if you want to bring your own food. In the dining room, there are four microwaves where you can heat your food
• You can order lunch boxes for 50 SEK per serving
• Free parking
  
  

Use the company code OSM18K - for short accommodation under 5 days - 5 % discount

Use the company code OSM18L - for long-term accommodation over 4 days - 36% to 61% discount

When you arrive
If you are arriving by plane to Stockholm, Arlanda airport we recommend Flixbus or NetBus4You from Arlanda Terminal 5 to Västerås Recesentrum.

To see the bus schedules and book tickets, please visit:

www.flixbus.se

www.nettbuss.se

From Västerås Recesentrum (The bus and train station in Västerås) you can take bus no. 2 towards «Björnögården» and get off the bus on “Eskadergatan”.

You will then be within walking distance of the hotel and OSM Aviation Academy.

 

Alternative 2 - Elite Hotel

Elite Stadshotellet in Västerås is located in the middle of the city center and is close to shops, restaurants, and cafés. The discount you can get depends on how far ahead of time you book your room and how flexible you want to be.

10% discount

Booking can be done until the time of arrival and you can book via Elite Hotel's webpage, by phone, or via email. The booking can be canceled until 14:00 CET on the day of arrival and the payment must be guaranteed with a credit card.

20% discount

Booking must be done at least 7 days before arrival and you can only book on Elite Hotel's webpage. If you choose this discount you are not able to cancel your booking. Payment is done by credit card when you book the room(s) and is non-refundable.

Remember to use the company code 6151866.

Book here

Accommodation in Arendal is not included in the tuition fee for the First Officer Program. It is the student's responsibility to arrange accommodation. When you are an admitted student, you will be provided with suggestions for landlords to contact.

Finding your own apartment
If you have special needs such as more space or want a different location, we suggest using www.finn.no to look for apartments to rent.

All classroom tutoring will take place in Peder Thomassons Gate 12.

The school owns a couple of houses right next to the airport. Each house has three rooms, which are typically shared by two students. The cost of a shared room is 600 dollars per month if you pay the month in advance, or 24 dollars per day if you like to stay less than a month.

Finding your own apartment
You can also rent a place through AirBnB, or find an apartment on Zillow.com or apartmentlist.com. 

It is fairly easy to find a place to stay in the area around the school, however, we recommend the school housing for convenience and economy. It also gives you the opportunity to meet other students from the school and engage in activities outside flying (e.g. play football, go to the beach, have barbecues, and study together).

 

Accommodation is not included in the tuition fee of the Professional Pilot Program. It is of utmost importance to book your apartment as soon as possible in order for you to guarantee accommodation.

A typerating is a course where you learn how to operate a specific type of aircraft.

After the pilot training at OSM Aviation Academy, you will have an education that provides you with the possibility to apply for pilot jobs at different European airlines. When you are offered a position and know which type of aircraft you will be operating, you will need another additional course for that specific type of aircraft. That course is called a typerating.

The airline that hires will be the airline that provides the typerating course, where they also teach the airline’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

A typerating includes both theory and practical flight training with the airplane type and takes about 6 months (might vary a bit depending on airplane type and airline).

In other words, you will be qualified to do a typerating for any airplane type after completing one of our integrated programs.

Which airplane type you will do your typerating on depends on the employee and which airplane type they operate/need pilots for.

Lessons, briefings, and flight lessons are held in English. All printed material, such as literature, manuals, and checklists will be in English as well.

Since we need to fly as much as possible when the weather and sunlight permits, there is no vacation planned for our integrated programs. In order for you to complete your training in 20 months, you will need to be available during summer.

Winter/Christmas vacation is easier to accommodate for several students, but summer vacations will rarely be approved.

If the student terminates the contract before the training program starts, the student is only obliged to pay the registration fee.

In case of termination during the course, the student will have to cover outstanding payments to the school. The amount will depend on how far into the education program you are. This will be clearly defined in your contract.

If you need to terminate the education due to loss of your medical license we have a “loss of license” insurance that covers the course fee that you have already paid.