Incoming Student Checklist

You are that much closer to becoming an aviation professional! Students (Aviation Management and Operations and Flight Technology and Operations) should follow BGSU's Admitted Student Guide for guidelines on what to do after being admitted.

BGSU's Admitted Student Guidelines

For students specializing in flight technology and operations (professional pilot program), here are additional steps that need to be taken in preparation for your timely start at BGSU Aviation:

1. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) verification - students need to bring their driver’s license and official birth certificate with raised seal or a United States Passport for TSA verification purposes. 
   • Bowling Green Flight Center (BGFC) will verify the documents and hand them right back to you.  
   • Students who are not a US citizen or US national must have started the TSA verification process with BGFC and have been granted final approval on their TSA training request to begin training.  
   • TSA verification for students who are not a US citizen or US national can take approximately two months.
     • Students going through this process should not plan to begin flight training until their second semester on campus. If you are not a US Cctizen or US national, please email cesmith@bgsu.edu to begin TSA processing. 
     • Students should utilize the flight training security program (FTSP) online portal to begin TSA flight training eligibility if you are not an US citizen or US national.
2. FAA 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class Medical Certificate - students must have obtained of their FAA 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class medical certificate three weeks prior to the start of the semester to be eligible to maintain enrollment in their flight lab and begin flight training.  
   • Students can refer to the FAA medical website to locate an approved examiner. When using the online examiner search, please select “AME” from the designee type drop-down menu.
   • Students only need to qualify for a 3rd class medical certificate for flight training at BGSU. It is the flight student’s decision to obtain a 1st or 2nd class medical certificate.  
   • Students can submit a copy of their medical certificate using the FAA medical certificate form. 
3. FAA Student Pilot Certificate - students are required to apply in person for an FAA student pilot certificate with one of the following authorized individuals:  
   • A Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), FAA Safety Inspector, or FAA Part 141 Airman Certification Representative. 
     • Student pilot certificates are issued by the FAA’s Civil Aviation Registry Branch as a plastic airman certificate card once the TSA and FAA have reviewed the student’s application.  
   • BGFC authorizes students to make their application to the FAA Student Pilot Certificate on the first day of class.
4. Bringing in a Private Pilot Certification - students who wish to bring in Private Pilot Training from outside of BGSU must have earned their Private Pilot Certificate three weeks prior to the start of the semester to be eligible to maintain enrollment in the Instrument level courses (AERT 2800 – Instrument Ground School, AERT 2810 – Basic Instrument Flight Instruction).  
   • The deadline to submit a copy of your Private Pilot Certificate is August 5, 2024. Students can submit a copy of their Private Pilot Certificate here: Private Pilot Certificate.
   • Applicable students receive communication from the School of Aviation prior to the start of the semester to verify they meet this requirement.
5. Ground School and Flight Lab Supplies - If you would like to purchase supplies through BGFC, please visit the BGFC online pilot store to place your order. Supply lists for specific ground courses and flight labs are listed below. If you have any questions about supplies, please email aviation@bgsu.edu or call us at 419-372-8950.