Previous Studies and Employment

[Aviationdude]

Hi guys,

I'm 36 years old and I'm from the Caribbean. I've been accepted to do my commercial license at Harv's Air in Canada. my plan is to apply for my student visa tomorrow but I'm concerned that it gets rejected on the basis that my educational background and experience are not in keeping with my present studies. I have a degree in Psychology and after my degree I worked at an insurance company for almost 10 years. What are my chances of approval?? Please help!

 

[scylla]

Honestly? Your chances of approval are extremely low. If you want to study in Canada, you should pick something that's related to your past education and work experience.

 

[Aviationdude]

Thank you for your response. I was afraid that might be the case but I suppose it's a bit too late to turn back now without giving it a shot. Plus this is something I really want to do and I feel like I owe it to myself to try. Is there anything I can do to increase my chances? Anything in particular I can write in my statement of purpose. Also, I haven't submitted my application yet unfortunately as I was waiting on one of the documents. Is it too late now? The processing time for the Port of Spain office is 1 week.

 

[canuck78]

Not really related to the country. It is based on the applicant. Do you have a pilot's license? Have you been flying for a long time? Wiould show that you were interested in flying for a long time. Would agree that it is a odd change of career at this stage of life. If you have a family it will also seem strange to want to undertake a change in career especially given the cost of training.

 

[Aviationdude]

I did some training about 15 years ago but took my current job due to financial reasons. I'm married with no children.

 

[rogelcorral]

I did some training about 15 years ago but took my current job due to financial reasons. I'm married with no children.

do you have a private pilot’s license? is it updated and valid? you can try citing this in your sop. then if you can show that there is a great demand for commercial pilots in your country, that may also help convince the vo.

good luck!

 

[Aviationdude]

do you have a private pilot’s license? is it updated and valid? you can try citing this in your sop. then if you can show that there is a great demand for commercial pilots in your country, that may also help convince the vo.

good luck!

Thank so much. Unfortunately I don't have a private pilot license. I started training for a brief while about 15 years ago and I haven't flown since. Again, this was due to financial constraints. Should I include that in my sop anyway?

 

[canuck78]

Yes include that. It is pretty typical for commercial pilots to begin with a private pilot's license so would have indicated your longterm interest in flying. Best of luck.

 

[rogelcorral]

Thank so much. Unfortunately I don't have a private pilot license. I started training for a brief while about 15 years ago and I haven't flown since. Again, this was due to financial constraints. Should I include that in my sop anyway?

how many flight hours did you have previously? were you able to achieve solo? unfortunately you’re back to zero in terms of flying... not sure about your ground course, though, if it would be considered. but i think you can include that in your sop. would help a lot if you can show financial status that could support your flight training now. and the high probability of getting a job as a commercial pilot in your country.

 

[rogelcorral]

btw, i presume your flight experience was with a cessna 150 or 172?

 

[Aviationdude]

how many flight hours did you have previously? were you able to achieve solo? unfortunately you’re back to zero in terms of flying... not sure about your ground course, though, if it would be considered. but i think you can include that in your sop. would help a lot if you can show financial status that could support your flight training now. and the high probability of getting a job as a commercial pilot in your country.

I finished ground school and had forty flight hours. Never achieved solo. I can show financial status. I was able to save enough money for tuition and living expenses.

 

[Aviationdude]

btw, i presume your flight experience was with a cessna 150 or 172?

150

 

[rogelcorral]

I finished ground school and had forty flight hours. Never achieved solo. I can show financial status. I was able to save enough money for tuition and living expenses.

sad that you were not able to achieve solo... but 40hrs is a fairly decent flight hours. during my time, early 90s, PPL can be achieved in 40hrs. average time to solo is about 10 to 15hrs.

you can try citing this in your sop, and include all documentation to your previous training (ground course certificate and flight logs). tell the vo how much you love aviation and the potential of a very lucrative job as a commercial pilot. not sure if you should include financial reason as to why you were not able to finnish your flight training previously...

 

[rogelcorral]

150

great plane, although a little bit underpowered compared to the 172. but i prefer the high-wing cessna than the low-wing piper. maybe i just don’t have that “need for speed”.

 

[Aviationdude]

sad that you were not able to achieve solo... but 40hrs is a fairly decent flight hours. during my time, early 90s, PPL can be achieved in 40hrs. average time to solo is about 10 to 15hrs.

you can try citing this in your sop, and include all documentation to your previous training (ground course certificate and flight logs). tell the vo how much you love aviation and the potential of a very lucrative job as a commercial pilot. not sure if you should include financial reason as to why you were not able to finnish your flight training previously...

Thanks again. Do you think this gives me a good shot at a study permit or are my chances still not very good?