Just thought I would clear up some of the questions in this thread.
Non U.S. Citizens
First off, I was worried about people talking about trying to deceive the Immigration Officer when entering the U.S.A.
When you come though, Immigration, tell the officer exactly what you are doing! It is not worth running the risk of being deported and not being able to return to the U.S.A. for the rest of the decade.
You need to be on a Visa if you are going to do any flying towards a Licence, Rating, or Certification.
The Visa you need to be on is either F-1, M-1, or J-1. The B-1/B-2/Visa Waiver are not acceptable for this type of flying.
If a pilot has a JAA Licence, for example, and wants to hour build in the U.S.A. they will need to go though the backgroud check to get a Licence Conversion before flying. This process can take up to 60 days. When they enter the U.S.A. they will need to be on a B Visa.
If you do not have the time to get a Licence Conversion, you will need to take the FAA Private Written Exam and PPL Checkride before flying in the U.S.A. as PIC. In this case you will need to be on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 Visa even to hour build.
Please read the new rules from INS added to Visitor Visas on April 12, 2002:
Requiring Change of Status From B to F-1 or M-1 Nonimmigrant Prior to Pursuing a Course of Study
Note the wording written into the new rules,
" A Course of Study". INS did not specify FAA Flight Training, it is
ANY course of study where by definiton the student is studying towards a certification.
The rules are clear and they are in black and white. Anyone that tells you anything different from what is listed in the rules is incorrect.
Also be suspect of anyone that tells you to lie or to try to deceive the Immigration Officers. If they are telling you this, it is because they know what they are telling you is incorrect and you need to lie to get into the country.
Safe and Happy Flying,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.