Tiffany,
I'm currently at a Flight School in Florida on a J-1 Visa. I will study for 1 year and instruct for 1 year...and get paid for the work at $15usd/hour plus medical and dental benefits and reduced on-campus housing costs.
For all details on the J-1 Visa I would recommend calling the Hong Kong Airport general information line and asking them to put you through to a US Customs/immigration Agent with whom you can discuss the J-1. Or call the US Embassy in Hong Kong for more details. I'm not from Hong Kong so the procedure could be different. Most likely you will have to be accepted by the school (easy), and bring the DS-2019 form along with your passport, diploma/degree, proof of financials, and go to an interview at the US Embassy in HK and then if all goes well you are cleared to go to the airport and get your visa while going through US Customs the day of your departure. No cost. You might be subjected to a 2-year home residency requirment if the US governement, HK govenrment or airline is subsidizing you. Ask about this.
Good luck.
Boeing Rox