Owning aircraft in the US for alien?
I know what you think - this has been answered a million times here. But actually my situation is the reverse of that old chestnut. And as I'm gearing up for aircraft ownership I need some hard, cold answers.
Background: I pretty much live and work mostly in America these days, although I still have a residence in both the UK and US. I'm here on a renewable visa and do not have a green card. I can work and start corporations just like any American. I pay taxes, I have social security number, credit, address, everything.
There seems to be a couple of ways for me to own an N-reg aircraft here:
1. The trust way. We all know how this works.
2. US citizen friend.
Let's say I'm uncomfortable with both of the above.
3. A US corporation owned by a permanent resident can own an N-reg aircraft if it spends more than 60% of its flying time within the US and these records are submitted to the FAA on a 6-month basis. This would be ideal. However, Permanent Resident implies green card, not a visa. Is this correct? This means this form of ownership is out as well.
Lastly.
Transferring aircraft to G-reg and keeping it here in the US for my duration of stay (which could be long). How exactly would this be done practically without having to get the aircraft physically back to the UK:
1. Will the CAA just register it and give it an ARC based on its US airworthiness, or must some physical inspection take place at time of transfer and must it take place in the UK?
2. Will maintenance and yearly inspections, 100hr inspections be feasible to carry out in FAA land?
3. Can I insure it with a US insurer even though its on the UK registry?
4. Will a UK insurer insure a G-reg that lives abroad?
Many complicated questions. Appreciate any input.