employment US? for an Australian

[AV8 consultants]

I know things have been quiet since 11/9/01 but I was wondering how hard would it be to get a job in the US as an Instructor. I have 750hrs TT 200+ are instructing and I have MECIR, a degree in aviation and a graduate diploma of teaching.. .I have heard its hard to get a visa.

If I was to go over for a short visit and talk to employers would they offer me a job if I had a H1B visa? What's the deal and how do I go about getting what I want. What do I have to do to convert my AUST CPL to FAA CPL?. .Instructing downunder is very slow at the moment. Constructive advice is welcomed, I'll even go to UK if there are jobs. :)

[druglord]

AV8...I've just done what you're proposing. It's not gonna be cheap as some might tell you. I paid probably $8,000A, because you'll need to get a FAA single-engine commercial license, FAA multi-commercial license, instrument rating for both, and I don't know that you're Instructor rating would even transfer over. To take all those you'll have to fullfil all the hours requirements for FAR 61 which you can look up at <a href="http://www.FAA.org" target="_blank">www.FAA.org</a> and that may include up to 20 hours multi-time for a comm license. Your license and instrument rating will transfer directly over for private flying. The written tests are easy as are flight tests, but the flying standards are pretty much the same cf to the aussie. Feel free to email me if you like, I'll give you more info. As for flight instructor jobs..you could probably take your pick of flight schools where you wanted to work, but I've heard it doesn't put bread on the table..the pay that is. Best of luck.

[craigwtw]

AV8, The key to the US market is getting a visa. Right now the H1B option is unlikely as the first step to the application is for your potential employer to prove that they can't find a US resident to do the job. And with all the furloughs lately there are plenty of locals that are looking for any flying job so that would be a hard sell. Try looking at some of the larger flight schools here that have arrangements with colleges. You may find you can get an F-1 visa to come and get a masters or something and flight instruct while you study, sierra academy in San francisco offer something like this. If you can find a way though the potential to build some time up here is much better than down under, I came up here in 1998 and my first season of instructing saw me logging 100-120 hours a month, you have to practically live at the airport to get that time but it is also the only way to make a living as average pay is only $10-12 per hour. As far as converting your licences, what DL said sounds about right but Email me if ya have any questions as I have been there done that.

[TALUFTEN]

AV8,. .Another way in to the States is for you to try and get someone to sponsor you for a teaching job. Maybe that would get you the H1-B visa and maybe even a Greencard because there is a big demand for teachers in certain States and cities. . .Masters Degree in aviation at Embry-Riddle in Daytona would allow you to instruct 20 hours/week and full time during the summers. . .hope it helps.

[fernytickles]

AV8

I've just gone thru' all the fun of trying to get a work visa for the US (I'm British). Unlike you I do not have a university degree, but have plenty of airline experience to compensate for that. Basically there is no visa which covers a commercial pilot - the H1B is not designed to accommodate pilots and the only way to get into the airlines is to have a Green card. There is a website (not sure of the name but try searching under immigration attorneys/lawyers) where you can ask questions and be pointed in the right direction. . .I already had the US licences so could not go for the J1 visa, but that may work for you - it allows you to work at the job for which you have studied whilst in the US. The flight school I had gone to originally (Pelican Flight Training) were very helpful with trying to suggest ways for me to work my way through the visa minefield. I'm sure they'd be happy to help if you asked them.

Good Luck

[TALUFTEN]

Palgia,. .The H1-B visa can actually be converted into a Greencard during the 6 years it is valid. Immigration lawyer can help with that. H1-B is for professionals that are classified as being in critically short numbers in the States and alas the foreigners fill the void. Not useful for pilots now because of a massive surplus. In fact it never applied to pilots and only to doctors, engineers and such. Before September 11 it looked like there was going to be some consideration for foreign pilots visa-wise as the demand seemd to be swelling. Well those days are gone for a long, long, long time.. .There is also an abundant supply of CFIs in the States since the Regionals are no longer hiring like they did prior to Sept 11. This is why it is impossible to find a school in the States to sponsor you: there is an abundant supply of Americans to do the job. They'll sponsor you for a J-1 or F-1 or M-1 student visas but not Permanent Residency Status. . .It sux from your perspective but that's the way it is. The aviation scene for low-time pilots in the states is not great at the moment. Consider Africa for the next couple years. Maybe you'll meet an American and things can happen for you that way but I don't encourage that. Tons of trouble. INS is like the Gestapo at interview time. <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> . .Hope this helps.

[GoneWest]

Even with a green card you may well run into problems....look at the last line of the following paragraph that was taken (cut/paste) from a job notification...that was looking for a corporate co-pilot to fly company personnel on company aircraft..

SKILLS: Required: 1,000 hours flight time. 500 hours as Pilot in Command. Must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot certificate, Instrument Rating, appropriate Airplane and Multi-Engine Land Class rating. Ability to maintain licensure a must. Must hold and maintain FAA First Class Medical Certificate. Must be able to prove U.S. citizenship in order to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance.