georgebramb1, It's not my opinion, is SEVIS one! Is people doing it? yes, same as there's people working illegally in USA and they might do it for years without been unnoticed.
You can get a F1 if you are a full time student at an Academic Center, for example Embry Riddle, and you do a Degree in Aviation and this includes as part of the training a pilot license. Same with an Integrated course, but if you ALREADY have even a PPL, then is not any more an integrated course.
Is up to you if you want to run the risk of been catch, deported and banned to get in the USA for 10 years.