What happened to the J1 visa thread?
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: europe
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I deleted it - I felt it probably better suited to a training forum. However, if you think it was of relevance:
Survey of Past and Present J1 Visa Holders
As the route is so popular with new pilots, I thought it might give people a better idea of the realities of the scheme:
1. How long did the training phase take, and was that as long as you expected?
2. How hard was it to find a CFI position, and were you happy with how the school helped you with this?
3. How long did you work as a CFI for before the expiry of your visa?
4. How many hours did you leave America with?
5. In hindsight, were you happy with your training choice and was it over- or under- budget?
Or words to that effect
Survey of Past and Present J1 Visa Holders
As the route is so popular with new pilots, I thought it might give people a better idea of the realities of the scheme:
1. How long did the training phase take, and was that as long as you expected?
2. How hard was it to find a CFI position, and were you happy with how the school helped you with this?
3. How long did you work as a CFI for before the expiry of your visa?
4. How many hours did you leave America with?
5. In hindsight, were you happy with your training choice and was it over- or under- budget?
Or words to that effect
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: by the seaside
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Mine isn't the most recent J1 experience but it might help someone elses decision.
1) Arrived August 1994 with a UK CAA Private licence, Commercial Dec 1994, CFI Jan 1995, Not the best winter for instrument flying so Instrument and CFII April 1995.
2) Schools help with job assistance was first rate, but I found a position without their help. CFI position found two weeks after my CFII checkride. I will add that everyone who wanted a job finally found one, those that didn't went home.
3) Worked till the end of my J1 visa in Aug 1996........ and a couple of months more.
4) Left US with 1400 hours and more important, an FAA ATP in July 1996.
5) Very happy with choosing HAI, I did have some problems during the course of training but nothing that would now stop me from recommending them.
Budget was over, but I did the budget so no surprises there. Part of the problem was a change in regulation during my training which required R22 instructors to have over 200 hours before they could instruct in them. One thing I would recommend though is having a budget for finding a job. I didn't and it was plain luck that found me a job 2 weeks after completing my licences.
Did a JAR licence in early 2002 and finally for the first time worked in JAR land in 2005, 11 years after gaining a Commercial ticket, without having been unemployed 'yet' since leaving the US.
1) Arrived August 1994 with a UK CAA Private licence, Commercial Dec 1994, CFI Jan 1995, Not the best winter for instrument flying so Instrument and CFII April 1995.
2) Schools help with job assistance was first rate, but I found a position without their help. CFI position found two weeks after my CFII checkride. I will add that everyone who wanted a job finally found one, those that didn't went home.
3) Worked till the end of my J1 visa in Aug 1996........ and a couple of months more.
4) Left US with 1400 hours and more important, an FAA ATP in July 1996.
5) Very happy with choosing HAI, I did have some problems during the course of training but nothing that would now stop me from recommending them.
Budget was over, but I did the budget so no surprises there. Part of the problem was a change in regulation during my training which required R22 instructors to have over 200 hours before they could instruct in them. One thing I would recommend though is having a budget for finding a job. I didn't and it was plain luck that found me a job 2 weeks after completing my licences.
Did a JAR licence in early 2002 and finally for the first time worked in JAR land in 2005, 11 years after gaining a Commercial ticket, without having been unemployed 'yet' since leaving the US.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Queensland, Australia.
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Good on ya rotorbike. Thanks for sharing that info.
It's good to know it's not too hard to find CFI work. Do you know if HAI are affiliated with or at least friendly with any of the fixed wing training schools over there.
It's good to know it's not too hard to find CFI work. Do you know if HAI are affiliated with or at least friendly with any of the fixed wing training schools over there.
