Panama - Country Requirements
Are you an aspiring pilot from Panama?
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been at the forefront of pilot training since 1928. With a legacy of training over 100,000 pilots and technicians from the United States and more than 40 other countries, our aviation flight program offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. For students from Panama, this is an opportunity to train for a career as a pilot in a program shaped by nearly a century of aviation expertise.
Country Requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalency.
- Be able to obtain an FAA medical certificate.
- Must be proficient in English.
- Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months before expiration.
- You will need to apply for and receive an M1 visa.
- Must be available to be a full-time student 5 days per week.
AAC Panamanian Pilot Conversion Process:
Once Panamanian students complete their FAA pilot training, they will need to follow the steps below to officially convert their licenses to Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil of Panama.
- Students must notify the AAC (Autoridad Aeronáutica Civil) of Panama in person that they want to convert your licenses. The AAC will give the student documents outlining the process
- Obtain Panamanian medical by following the directions provided by the AAC
- Students must then write a letter to Cpt Antonio Valderrama requesting access to complete the Private, Instrument, and Commercial written exams, as well as the flight exams.
- Once you are approved, students will schedule the exams. The first test is RACP, which is open book and involves Panamanian aviation rules, validates the Private Pilot license. Then students will complete the exams for their Instrument and Commercial, which can be studied for using PREPWARE, or SHEPPARD AIR.
- If students wish to work for COPA, they are required to complete an English exam, which can be taken at this time in the process. The exam does not require studying, as it simply involves conversation and listening to communications.
- Once students pass the RACP exam, they have their Panamanian Private Pilot license and may print their license in preparation for the flight exam.
- Students will need a plane to rent and instructor for the flight exam, which can be taken care of at flight school. Each month without flying equals an hour of flight that students will need to do for the conversion in Panama.
- Once the student is ready, they will take the checkride with an examiner from the AAC. Once the student passes, they will return to the AAC to fill our paperwork and receive a printed copy of their Panamanian Instrument and Commercial pilot license.
List of Panamanian Airlines:
- Air Panama
- Copa Airlines
- DHL Aero Expreso
- Uniworld Air Cargo
Interested in becoming a Spartan International Student?