Recently, I unfortunately failed my CAA Class 1 medical examination, which has been quite a setback in my pursuit of a commercial pilot career. On the bright side, I currently hold an FAA Class 1 medical and am optimistic about obtaining a Transport Canada (TC) Category 1 medical as well. With this in mind, I've crafted a somewhat unconventional plan to achieve my goal of becoming a commercial pilot, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on its viability.
My plan involves relocating to the United States on an F1 visa to complete my FAA ATPL certification. The advantage of the F1 visa is that it offers opportunities for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) / Optional Practical Training (OPT). These programs acknowledge the necessity for practical, hands-on experience in pursuing flight training as a career, and would allow me to build additional flight hours by working as a CFI. This approach not only provides valuable experience but also means I'd be earning income while accumulating flight hours (though much of it would likely cover living expenses), which could offset the costs associated with training.
After gaining sufficient experience and flight hours in the US, my intention is to leverage this background to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (a lot more welcoming than the US) through the Express Entry program as a skilled worker. Upon securing
PR status, I would proceed to convert my FAA ATPL to a TC ATPL—a process I've heard is relatively straightforward and easy. With a TC ATPL and permanent residency, I believe I'd be in a strong position to pursue employment opportunities within Canada, circumventing the considerable challenges associated with job hunting on a work visa.
While this plan seems sound on paper, I acknowledge that it's not without risks and uncertainties. I'm also aware that navigating immigration processes, certification conversions, and securing employment in a competitive industry presents its own set of challenges, which could be critical if things start to unravel, but worst case scenario I am back in the UK as a CFI.
Do you see any
significant pitfalls or obstacles in this plan that I might be overlooking? Are there specific considerations or alternative pathways I should explore to increase my chances of success? Any advice, personal experiences, or recommendations would be immensely helpful as I evaluate and refine this strategy.
Thank you in advance for your guidance.
bakerin