Learning to Fly in the USA
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Learning to Fly in the USA
Here is a good article about taking flight training in the U.S.
Learning to Fly in the United States
Getting a Student Visa for Flight Training
In spite of worldwide demand for qualified commercial pilots, flight training in many regions is prohibitively expensive, a regulatory nightmare, or both. While it may seem strange to travel to a completely different country to train, learning to fly in the United States can be a huge benefit to student pilots from many regions. There's only one major catch - getting a student visa for flight training.
Which visa is right for me?
Let's jump ahead in the process slightly and discuss visa specifics. The United States issues two kinds of student visas - F1 and M1. With such descriptive titles, I'm sure you know exactly which one you need right? Honestly, in spite of their unhelpful titles, the basic difference between them is when they expire.
An M-1 visa, which is good for up to 12 months, is best for a student pilot seeking a limited number of certificates or ratings. For example, a typical commercial pilot course (including private pilot training and an instrument rating) might take 8 months to complete. In this case, when you enter the U.S., officials will stamp your visa with an expiration date of 8 months plus a 30 day grace period to complete your training and return home.
An F-1 visa, which is not given an expiration date, is best for student pilots in university programs or certain longer professional pilot courses that might include flight instructor certificates or time-building. Such programs may take years to complete or allow a very limited amount of work-study opportunities for students without requiring a work visa.
Where do I start?
Now that you understand the difference in the two types of visas, you're probably curious where to begin. As an international student, you must choose a flight school which offers training approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 141 and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue I-20 forms. It is highly recommended to seek out a school that caters to international students, because those schools will know how to navigate all the regulatory hurdles and keep you flying.
What do I need?
Once you've located a school, most of the hard work is done. You will need to contact the school, such as Phoenix East Aviation, and provide them with all the necessary documents and fees in order to get a signed I-20 form that you will take to the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate with your completed visa application on your scheduled interview date.
I'm sure all of this sounds complex, but the most important thing to remember is you need to find an approved school here in the U.S. that offers the training you want. Since they regularly work with student pilots from all over the world they can help you navigate through the process and get started learning to fly in the U.S. today.
To find a school in the USA start here: AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can also search Globalair.com’s aviation training directory. For more information on visas, please go to DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
About the author - Kyle Garrett is the founder of Aviation Schools Online, has over 20 years of experience in the marketing and vocational school industry, and is an experienced instrument-rated pilot
Learning to Fly in the United States
Getting a Student Visa for Flight Training
In spite of worldwide demand for qualified commercial pilots, flight training in many regions is prohibitively expensive, a regulatory nightmare, or both. While it may seem strange to travel to a completely different country to train, learning to fly in the United States can be a huge benefit to student pilots from many regions. There's only one major catch - getting a student visa for flight training.
Which visa is right for me?
Let's jump ahead in the process slightly and discuss visa specifics. The United States issues two kinds of student visas - F1 and M1. With such descriptive titles, I'm sure you know exactly which one you need right? Honestly, in spite of their unhelpful titles, the basic difference between them is when they expire.
An M-1 visa, which is good for up to 12 months, is best for a student pilot seeking a limited number of certificates or ratings. For example, a typical commercial pilot course (including private pilot training and an instrument rating) might take 8 months to complete. In this case, when you enter the U.S., officials will stamp your visa with an expiration date of 8 months plus a 30 day grace period to complete your training and return home.
An F-1 visa, which is not given an expiration date, is best for student pilots in university programs or certain longer professional pilot courses that might include flight instructor certificates or time-building. Such programs may take years to complete or allow a very limited amount of work-study opportunities for students without requiring a work visa.
Where do I start?
Now that you understand the difference in the two types of visas, you're probably curious where to begin. As an international student, you must choose a flight school which offers training approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 141 and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue I-20 forms. It is highly recommended to seek out a school that caters to international students, because those schools will know how to navigate all the regulatory hurdles and keep you flying.
What do I need?
Once you've located a school, most of the hard work is done. You will need to contact the school, such as Phoenix East Aviation, and provide them with all the necessary documents and fees in order to get a signed I-20 form that you will take to the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate with your completed visa application on your scheduled interview date.
I'm sure all of this sounds complex, but the most important thing to remember is you need to find an approved school here in the U.S. that offers the training you want. Since they regularly work with student pilots from all over the world they can help you navigate through the process and get started learning to fly in the U.S. today.
To find a school in the USA start here: AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can also search Globalair.com’s aviation training directory. For more information on visas, please go to DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
About the author - Kyle Garrett is the founder of Aviation Schools Online, has over 20 years of experience in the marketing and vocational school industry, and is an experienced instrument-rated pilot
Last edited by Check 6; 9th Oct 2013 at 03:10.
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Getting JAA/EASA in the US
Hope that you all will bare with me, I'm completely new in this game!
After doing a ton of research I have become more confused then clear on my situation. So I hope you guys can help me out.
I'm looking for a school in California that can take me from having no licenses to getting the JAA/EASA CPL. So first of is there any CAA approved schools in California that can do so? If yes a list and recommendation is very much wanted. Schools I have found that I think do so are JAA PPL USA UK Flight Training USA,California,Florida specialising in JAA CAA PPL,Helicopter training,JAA ATPL Ground School,IMC,Night,Multi,FAA,DGCA-Indian Pilot Training,UK RT Radio licence, JAA ATPL,Professional Pilot Program,PTIP and International Flight Training Schools in San Diego | FlyAAA
And then I wanted to hear of it was still possible to obtain a J-1 visa and get a instructor job to gain hours?
If there is a smarter solution, like taking the FAA instead and then do a conversion or something then please let me know. Any info will be gratefully received!
After doing a ton of research I have become more confused then clear on my situation. So I hope you guys can help me out.
I'm looking for a school in California that can take me from having no licenses to getting the JAA/EASA CPL. So first of is there any CAA approved schools in California that can do so? If yes a list and recommendation is very much wanted. Schools I have found that I think do so are JAA PPL USA UK Flight Training USA,California,Florida specialising in JAA CAA PPL,Helicopter training,JAA ATPL Ground School,IMC,Night,Multi,FAA,DGCA-Indian Pilot Training,UK RT Radio licence, JAA ATPL,Professional Pilot Program,PTIP and International Flight Training Schools in San Diego | FlyAAA
And then I wanted to hear of it was still possible to obtain a J-1 visa and get a instructor job to gain hours?
If there is a smarter solution, like taking the FAA instead and then do a conversion or something then please let me know. Any info will be gratefully received!
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According to my local school's website, you obtain an FAA commercial/instrument and then complete a 15 hour EASA conversion.
Programs - Florida Flyers: Aviation, Flight Training, USA Flight School
Programs - Florida Flyers: Aviation, Flight Training, USA Flight School
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Not sure that you can call it smarter, but I am a big fan of getting FAA licenses, work as a CFI, sit the written exams for your Euro ATPL, get a Comm. License in the same area where you have worked as an instructor for a "home advantage" and then add your IR rating. It usually allows you to get more flight time, spend less and get both licenses.
Make sure you select the right school (in terms of Visas), I live in the East Coast, I got my PPL in Long beach, loved it, but went to Florida for the J1(now F1) Visa..
Not sure that you can call it smarter, but I am a big fan of getting FAA licenses, work as a CFI, sit the written exams for your Euro ATPL, get a Comm. License in the same area where you have worked as an instructor for a "home advantage" and then add your IR rating. It usually allows you to get more flight time, spend less and get both licenses.
Make sure you select the right school (in terms of Visas), I live in the East Coast, I got my PPL in Long beach, loved it, but went to Florida for the J1(now F1) Visa..
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If you push your goals one more stage further you can go for an ATP from Zero with ACA, by the way, they will do FAA and EASA too if you want, just contact them and they will send you all the details.
Here is the link: www.flyaca.com
Good luck.
Here is the link: www.flyaca.com
Good luck.
Last edited by Natstrackalpha; 17th Jan 2014 at 18:02.
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I have to say that whilst this thread is useful and the advice applicable to some students some of the time, there are a number of factual inaccuracies. (eg part 61 training can be done on a visa, you don't need a part 141 school) There are other threads here on pprune that do discuss the more specific details (to death in some cases) and the important questions of detail can be viewed elsewhere on here. This sticky also doesn't yet address who needs a visa and when and if a visa is required which are important points. It is perfectly feasible to do certain training without a visa, it is also feasible to do some training on a B1 or B2 visa. (I have done both of these)
"You will need to contact the school, such as Phoenix East Aviation " - Check 6 - it sounds like you are connected to that school/advertising, but actually it's just a cut and paste of the original article - you might want to edit that !
A good place for further research is here - whilst it ostensibly covers jaa ppl in USA it is of course the same in visa terms whether one is doing JAA/EASA or FAA training.
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...-part-1-a.html
There is also a mixed bag of advice, some right and some wrong here
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...hools-usa.html
The specifics of TSA approval likewise have been done to death. In summary, and in relevance to training (not type ratings) on smaller (below 12500 lbs) aircraft it is required for the issue of an initial private, recreational or sport pilot FAA license, a multi rating and an Instrument Rating. Not required for Commercial and not required for CFI.
https://www.flightschoolcandidates.g...19147-0337.pdf
"You will need to contact the school, such as Phoenix East Aviation " - Check 6 - it sounds like you are connected to that school/advertising, but actually it's just a cut and paste of the original article - you might want to edit that !
A good place for further research is here - whilst it ostensibly covers jaa ppl in USA it is of course the same in visa terms whether one is doing JAA/EASA or FAA training.
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...-part-1-a.html
There is also a mixed bag of advice, some right and some wrong here
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...hools-usa.html
The specifics of TSA approval likewise have been done to death. In summary, and in relevance to training (not type ratings) on smaller (below 12500 lbs) aircraft it is required for the issue of an initial private, recreational or sport pilot FAA license, a multi rating and an Instrument Rating. Not required for Commercial and not required for CFI.
https://www.flightschoolcandidates.g...19147-0337.pdf
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I am not associated with any school other than as a customer - FlightSafety Intl, SimuFlite, SimCom, etc.
I disagree that a foreign national may obtain flight training in the U.S. without a visa, because you need a visa to arrive here in the first place.
It is not possible to edit my post.
I disagree that a foreign national may obtain flight training in the U.S. without a visa, because you need a visa to arrive here in the first place.
It is not possible to edit my post.
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Forgive me for disagreeing, I am right with you on wanting to help people fly in the USA but actually many people enter the USA under the visa waiver scheme or ESTA - without a visa. (for flight training or for vacation or business). I have entered many times without a visa. I have also entered with a visa when required to do so (both O and B1 and B2) and I am clear about the difference. I am from UK, that is generally regarded as foreign 
I say this not to be pedantic but because there is already so much contradictory advice out there. There isn't a poster on here who isn't confused in one form or another and thus best to be accurate as possible.
I always take the oportunity when entering the USA to ask questions of the immigration officials on the subject of flight training and have based my choices on their advice as much as anything - they are the ones who choose to admit you after all. I declared my intention to flight train in a recent B1/B2 visa interview at a USA Embassy and was granted it immediately without further query. I have flight trained / done check rides without a visa and declared that on entry and been admitted.
Of course one needs a M1 visa via an I-20 from a SEVIS approved school in some circumstances. Just not all circumstances.
I say this not to be pedantic but because there is already so much contradictory advice out there. There isn't a poster on here who isn't confused in one form or another and thus best to be accurate as possible.
I always take the oportunity when entering the USA to ask questions of the immigration officials on the subject of flight training and have based my choices on their advice as much as anything - they are the ones who choose to admit you after all. I declared my intention to flight train in a recent B1/B2 visa interview at a USA Embassy and was granted it immediately without further query. I have flight trained / done check rides without a visa and declared that on entry and been admitted.
Of course one needs a M1 visa via an I-20 from a SEVIS approved school in some circumstances. Just not all circumstances.
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Ha hmmm you are confusing visa with TSA.... two completely different things. You will need to go through TSA approval for any initial FAA ratings ie:- private, instrument etc, even if you don't do it in the USA.
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No confusion here between visa and TSA. Just to clarify your use of the word 'any' though - Leaving aside the question of recurrency and type ratings, TSA is required for three specific items wherever in the world the training takes place: your initial FAA certificate (usually private is the initial but it can be cpl), multi and Instrument. Commercial does not require TSA unless it is initial faa licence. CFI does not require TSA. Class addons (eg sea) do not require TSA. Many other things such as complex or tailwheel endorsements do not require TSA.
Both your need for a visa to enter the USA and your best choice of visa depend on a combination of your personal circumstances and your choice of training method.
Both your need for a visa to enter the USA and your best choice of visa depend on a combination of your personal circumstances and your choice of training method.
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Although Fixed Wing is not my primary game, I have been involved in getting a few folks from South Africa, who had Comm or above in their home, their FAA licenses in the states for Helicopters. We have pretty much worked out the bugs as to keeping the prices down and what can be done before you hit the sandy shores of Estados Unidos.
If I can be of help drop me a message.
If I can be of help drop me a message.
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Learning to fly in USA
I'm searching actual information about Pan Am flight academy,better from anybody who is actually studying there.
I was nearly convinced to go to Flightsafety in vero beach but read that chinese airlines have an agreement with FSA, and local or international not sponsored students hardly get trained.
Any advise?
Thanks
I was nearly convinced to go to Flightsafety in vero beach but read that chinese airlines have an agreement with FSA, and local or international not sponsored students hardly get trained.
Any advise?
Thanks
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Transfer from flight school
Hi guys, I'm international student in a flight school in the US finishing now my ppl & I want to transfer to another school but I'm worried that my current school might do problems regarding the transfer process, if any one knows any useful information for me that'd be perfect.
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Hi buddy, The process is easy but takes sometime.. I went through that back in 2005. You will just have to keep good relation with your current school and just find a good reason explaining to them why you want to change school. since you are probably on M1 VISA you will have to initiate a process for visa transfer from the one school to the other, So you have to ask your new school what papers they want from the old school and just then take copies etc from your current school and give them to the new one. The new school MUST KNOW of what papers are needed and they should know if they are professionals and authorized to issue VISAS. then you will have to do the tsa again in any case. and pay some fees for the visa transfer. not much.. i think around 150$.. the whole process might take you up to a month but not more... and always keep copies of everything for your records as they might be asked from you in the future if you come back in the usa for any reason.
Now if your current school does not want to cooperate or if you have argued with them then there is another way.. Just go back to your home country for a month and start a new process with your new school from there disregarding completely the old school... it is quite simple in that way ... if you choose that way be sure before leaving from the usa to make copies from your school file.. (visas papers etc) as they might be asked for at the us embassy at your country... good luck
Now if your current school does not want to cooperate or if you have argued with them then there is another way.. Just go back to your home country for a month and start a new process with your new school from there disregarding completely the old school... it is quite simple in that way ... if you choose that way be sure before leaving from the usa to make copies from your school file.. (visas papers etc) as they might be asked for at the us embassy at your country... good luck
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Can we learn to fly in USA using a tourist visa? ..
As above, if I intend to go for accelerated part 61 PPL course.... within the tourist visa duration... Without the hassle of getting i-20 visa....?