WX Man,
Just a few points about your post. My flatmate has just been working with a lawyer to get an H-3 and it's been a waste of time aswell as money for him.
Firstly the visa is only valid for a maximum of 2 years, no longer. Secondly, it's ONLY valid for the duration of the training programme. So you cannot work on it after you've finished training. Thirdly, one of the requirements for being granted an H-3 is that the company you are getting an H-3 for has to sign a letter stating that any work experience you do while training in no way implies a full-time job.
The J-1 is still the best train and work visa although there are no extensions after the 2 year period. And you only get 1.
Another thing is that the only visa you can apply for residency on is the H-1B. The only problem with that is that there is a "prevailing wage" requirement. This is the salary that the state thinks you should be paid do that job. Currently in Florida the prevailing wage is $30/hour!!!!!Not a hope in hell of getting that from a flight school.
Hope this helps.
Which F@#ker killed me?