Global Wings.The Pelican Flight Training & RAI

Bridging european academics with premier american flight training

At Pelican Flight Training, we are proud to highlight our long-standing strategic partnership with the Riga Aeronautical Institute (RAI) — a respected European institution offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in aviation, and the oldest aviation institute in Riga, Latvia, established in 1942.

Together, we have created a seamless educational pathway that combines hands-on, professional pilot training in Florida with prestigious academic opportunities in Europe. Since RAI partnered with Pelican Flight Training in 2010, we have worked as one team with a shared vision: to mold the next generation of confident, competent pilots for the global stage.

The F-1 visa advantage. A rare career pathway

One of the most significant advantages of training with Pelican is our ability to offer the F-1 Student Visa.

While most flight schools in the United States only offer the M-1 visa (which strictly limits work opportunities), Pelican Flight Training is one of the few schools in the U.S. authorized to provide Curricular Practical Training (CPT). This status allows us to offer a career trajectory that extends well beyond the classroom.

Work in the U.S. After Completion Unlike other programs where your journey ends the moment you get your license, at Pelican, your career begins after completion of your training.

Once you have successfully finished your Professional Pilot Program, you become eligible for a combined 18 months of paid professional experience in the United States:

• CPT (Curricular Practical Training): Immediately following your training, you are eligible for 6 months of CPT. This allows you to work as a Flight Instructor to gain essential teaching experience and log hours.
• OPT (Optional Practical Training): Following your CPT, you are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT, granting you full-time employment authorization to continue flying professionally.

This unique structure allows our graduates to build the critical flight hours required by airlines while legally working in the U.S.—an opportunity that very few other academies can match.

World-class training in Florida

RAI recognizes that the best pilots are made in the best environments. Florida offers year-round flying weather, ensuring students can train consistently without long winter delays.

• Advanced Technology: Students train on one of the most advanced ALSIM simulators in the U.S., capable of replicating complex emergency scenarios and diverse aircraft configurations.
• Multicultural Culture: Our campus is a global hub. You will train alongside cadets from all over the world, building an international network before you even sit in a cockpit.
• ACCSC Accredited: Our commitment to quality is validated by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), ensuring that your education meets the highest standards of excellence.

Two continents - one career Path

For future pilots, this partnership opens doors that extend far beyond a single license. You can complete your professional training with us in Florida—meeting both FAA and EASA standards—and then leverage our relationship with RAI to pursue Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in aviation.

“RAI and Pelican share a single goal: preparing pilots who are ready for the demands of the global aviation industry. By combining Pelican’s practical excellence with RAI’s academic rigor, we offer students a complete roadmap from their first flight to a long-term career.”

Whether you aim to fly for a major airline in Europe, the Americas, or Asia, the Pelican-RAI pathway is your launchpad.

Ready to launch your career? Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our F-1 Visa program and how you can work in the U.S. for 18 months after completing your training.