FAA flight school that can issue F1 visa
 

Hello, I am looking for a good flight school in the States that is able to issue an F1 visa that will allow me to work after training. Im looking for a good school that isn't just a sausage factory. I have looked into Bristow flight school in Florida, and also Hillsboro in Oregon, who are my preferred option at the moment.

I am a Scottish guy, with a Canadian CPL, and also I have completed my EASA ATPL (h) exams, so I will be looking at converting back my FAA licence over to EASA at some stage.

Any advice on schools would be greatly appreciated, I really want to be working after the course, thats the main thing.

Best regards.

if you have a CPL issued, then a F1 visa is not an option


This is from another post on Prune...........

If you have a CPL (commercial pilot licence), how are you eligible for an F1?
Contacted Bristow Academy, and they told me F1 visas are only for people who are starting, and not proffesionals (since you already have a commercial pilot licence, you are considered a professional).

Why not just convert your canadian licence to EASA and get work in the UK......think PDG helicopters are looking for a pilot

I have already had replies from both Hillsboro, and Bristow in Florida saying that they would give me an F1 visa. Im just looking about for any other options.
I think its one of these things that changes with the wind.

Find a proper job then fly for fun on the weekend. That's the best advice I never took.

Yeah Johni, totally hear what your saying about schools saying anything to get the money, and also the difficulties in building the contacts up once back in the UK. I do also want to get my FAA IR and convert that back to the ME IR, thinking it should save a few quid.

Whats your situation anyway, where did you fly in the states and what position are you in now? Sounds like you have done exactly what I am wanting to do. Im hoping that if I can at least get a few hundred hours out in the States then that would be of benefit, I'm not looking at an immediate return to the UK, wouldn't mind working anywhere in the world, and then returning when I can get straight into an offshore operation with some considerable hours under my belt.

OK private messaging has been set up. Cheers

I think that Mauna Loa Helicopters in Hawaii offer it now. Great place and fantastic flying. A great 3 years I spent there :-)
I initially did all my training, pvt-cfii(1 year), then got the OFT training visa which gave 6 months work after getting cfii, then another visa after that. I forget which, but was there for another 18 months and when I left still had another year to go. There was an unwritten rule when you get to the golden 1000 hours that you moved on to make way for the next guys coming up. It was fair as was from the UK and the owner knew it was tough in our neck of the world. That was however when Silver State was around everyone and lots of US instructors went off there.Lots of jobs in those days! I believe they along with Hills and Bristow, the only three in US to offer it.

Ok thanks for that I appreciate your input, i'll look into them and see what they say also.
Where are you flying now out of interest?