Interesting doing the IR conversion in denmark TorqueStripe.

Out of interest how much did the FAA cpl/cfi and cfii cost you at HAI/Bristows?and how did you manage to go back for the JAA cpl? did you still have time on your J1? Ive had a brief chat with bristows and it does seem like quite a hassle to get visas for the US, understandable i guess.

The rest looks pretty cheap and very good route! and it looks like youve got a job on the rigs!so well done!!

p.s you did your ppl(h) in the uk?

TS

If you don't mind me asking.. Who did you train with in the US and from/To what level

0 - CPL(H) + CFI = ? $48000?
0 - CPL(H) + CFI CFII = ? $48000?

I keep hearing people mention J1 visas for the states, Is there an equivallent for South Africa? Does anyone have experience of this? I have searched the forum but found nothing.

How tough is it to get a working Visa whilst training in South Africa? or before beginning?

Should I be asking this of my future training company? Just wanted a bit of impartial advice.

TIA

SL

Has anyone heard of Helicopter Services Inc. in Spring Texas near Houston? http://www.heliserv.com/main/index.htm

Do they have a good name in the industry? Anyone know them?

Cheers

SL

I don't know much about South African visas, as I don't need one to visit, but I have some first-hand experience of license validations (JAA PPL(H)). If this is of any use to you, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to offer any info / advice I can.

TS: What is an H3 visa? What is requried from the company that sponsors?

H3
 

H3 is a very little known visa that allows non J1 Visa schools like my own to 'sponsor' students and allow them to work in the US for two years as a Flight Instructor to enable timebuilding through to an FAA ATPL.
It is not straight forward but if you know how to operate the system and can bear about $5K in legal costs it can be done and rapidly.

So it´s possible to take an H3 after a J-1?? if you find a company willing to sponsor the visa ofcourse.

Are companys/flightschools generally not willing to sponsor an H3?

As i understand from talking to flight schools in the states about the H3 visa most are unwilling to offer it in most circumstances mainly because of all the paper work they have to go through when they can easily get an american citizen to fill the position

As a British Citizen who owns a Part 141 flight school that operates 11 helicopters, I would be open to sponsoring an H3 for a student that trained / worked with us. I would expect the prospective employee to bear all of their legal costs and deal with the paperwork however - as mikey is indeed right employing a US citizen is indeed far more straightforward.
This is a visa that cannot be 'overused' by an employer and thus the employer has to be quite selective regarging whom they sponsor.
Another post J visa option or substitute is an F Visa, we now offer the only Rotorcraft Specific AS degree in Professional Pilot Studies available in Florida.
This course is partnered with Palm Beach Community College in West Palm Beach (where we are) and combines credits from flight training (32 out of 64 required) to get an AS degree.
There are many ways to 'skin a cat' on this issue.
Geoff