I'm French and I'll come to USA

D

DZ_Power

Filing Flight Plan
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Idontknowwhatdoesitmean
Hi guys :cool:, I'm French ( really ?? :eek: ) but I'm here because I love aviation ( really ?? :eek: ) and beacuse I won DV Lottery on last may ( so I'll come soon to the USA ). Actually I study Electrical Engineering ( Associate's ) in Paris, I've got 3 months ago my PPL and I fly onto the Paris sky ( region's sky, because it's forbidden to fly across Paris city o_O ). I've flown apprx. 65h and I flew the DR400 and the 172 and the PA28 ( Lognes Airfield - LFPL ). I've also got my Night Rating.

So I said I'll probably come to USA, as how your ancestors came ( :D ), as a FRESH immigrant. I'll be 19 and I'll have got my Associate's. I'd like to become an airline pilot, but it's impossible to make this dream in Europe/France :
- cost of formatiom is too high - 70k€
- market is not good - pilot hiring is bad
- I wear glasses with too high correction, I'm unable to be commercial pilot.
- I hate my actual environment, I need to discover other places.

I'd like to become Airline Pilot in the USA because conditions are better : airlines are hiring, formation is cheaper, life is better, everything is more dynamic than in France. But I don't know where should I begin ( I'm just sure I'll take modular course - part 61 ), I don't know which school should
I choose, I don't know in which city should I live ( maybe Oakland :cool: ). I just know I'll be one of yours from next September :cool:. I have collected apprx. 15k€ ( 18k$ ), enough money to afford immigration fees ( direct and indirect ) and the beginning of the training/time building. I'll come firstly in April to fly some hours, to discover America and to confirm my Green card ; I'll come definitively during September.

I'll take IR course, then CPL-SE, then CFI-I extension to begin work as Flight Instructor and to spread costs ( I'll avoid to get immediately ME and MEI courses ). I found Oakland Flyers where the package IR-CPL-CFI-CFII costs 12k$ ( with minimum hours ), I don't know if I should pursue with them.

I need to know if my project is realist ?? Are work conditions good for pilots in the USA ??
How much is paid a CFI when he begins its career ( hourly and monthly ) ??
Is there anybody here who flies in Part 121 airlines to give some flashbacks ??

Thx :cool::cool::cool:
 
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There is a pilot shortage in the US so qualified applicants stand a reasonable chance of finding employment. I can't speak to the immigration or citizenship requirments for getting a job as a CFI or commercial airline pilot but I'd certainly check that out first. There is an immigration attorney in Philadelphia named Arnold Feldman who is also an aviation attorney, sometimes he will post here. You may want to contact him or another attorney of your choice to confirm that from an immigration perspective this is something that is possible.

Since you only have 65 hours you will need to add ratings and build hours, probably another 1440 hours. Once you get your CFI this will be easier. As for where to live I might recommend a place where the cost of living is less and the weather is flyable a majority of the time. I know nothing about Oakland Flyers and they may be a great outift. There are many flight programs across the country that offer programs from private through ATP. I'd investigate them as well. You should ask questions about how long they have been in business, you may also want to look on line for comments about the program.

We have some professional pilots on the board hopefully they will chime in.
 
U need TSA clearance if i want to get a rating here. If u want to fly something bigger, more than 12000 lbs, u need even more paperwork to be filled and a waiting game of about 2 months.

Welcome to 'merica

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Congrats on the DV lottery! I can't answer your questions, but whatever you do, make sure you get your TSA Alien Flight School Program application sorted before you expect to start any kind of training other than ground school. As far as I know, no flight school in the US can give you any in-flight training without this. To apply, you need the help of the flight school, and it takes around 7 weeks (at least that was how long it took me).

https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/afsp2/?acct_type=c&section=WN

Good luck!
 
WannFly said:
I ahbe stopped thinking long time back. Nad things happen when i "think"

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I don't believe you. I think you might be thinking the same thing I am, correct?
 
injb said:
Congrats on the DV lottery! I can't answer your questions, but whatever you do, make sure you get your TSA Alien Flight School Program application sorted before you expect to start any kind of training other than ground school. As far as I know, no flight school in the US can give you any in-flight training without this. To apply, you need the help of the flight school, and it takes around 7 weeks (at least that was how long it took me).

https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/afsp2/?acct_type=c&section=WN

Good luck!
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That's not true actually. The TSA requirement is only for certificates that "significantly expand pilot's abilities", they have limited this to be Private, Instrument and Multi. Commercial and ATP do not need it.

When you've done it once, subsequent approvals happen almost instantly.
 
mtuomi said:
That's not true actually. The TSA requirement is only for certificates that "significantly expand pilot's abilities", they have limited this to be Private, Instrument and Multi. Commercial and ATP do not need it.

When you've done it once, subsequent approvals happen almost instantly.
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Yah but if he wants a job in an airline, he would need some rating and he would have to go thru ASFP.

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AdamZ said:
There is a pilot shortage in the US so qualified applicants stand a reasonable chance of finding employment. I can't speak to the immigration or citizenship requirments for getting a job as a CFI or commercial airline pilot but I'd certainly check that out first. There is an immigration attorney in Philadelphia named Arnold Feldman who is also an aviation attorney, sometimes he will post here. You may want to contact him or another attorney of your choice to confirm that from an immigration perspective this is something that is possible.

Since you only have 65 hours you will need to add ratings and build hours, probably another 1440 hours. Once you get your CFI this will be easier. As for where to live I might recommend a place where the cost of living is less and the weather is flyable a majority of the time. I know nothing about Oakland Flyers and they may be a great outift. There are many flight programs across the country that offer programs from private through ATP. I'd investigate them as well. You should ask questions about how long they have been in business, you may also want to look on line for comments about the program.

We have some professional pilots on the board hopefully they will chime in.
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A valid I-551 (lawful permanent resident) card will allow you to be employed, as a pilot, without any limitations. The only small hurdle is the TSA vetting that's required for your initial Private, Instrument and Multi-engine ratings.
A realistic minimum hour requirements for employment are 250 or so for CFIs, 500 for some Part 135 SIC positions, 1200 for 135 IFR PIC, and 1500 for 121. The "easiest" way is build hours to 200 or so, then get your instrument rating, commercial, and CFI, and work as a CFI until you find something a bit more meaningful to do (unless you really enjoy being a CFI). Don't be "that" CFI who sits there until 1500 hours hating life, only to build hours so you can fly a shiny jet. No-one wants those CFIs.

I somewhat speak from experience. I officially immigrated with my IR1 summer of 2016, I bought a plane and flew it until I had around 600 hours. Got my Instrument rating and Commercial certificate as quickly as I could (took a few weeks). After that I got a seasonal Part 135 VFR PIC job for a few months. While working there, I got hired as a PC12 SIC, and am now working in the Caribbean in a very cool job. I'll be happy to be here until I hit my 1500 hours (and possibly beyond that too). And the best part is, I've loved every minute of my professional flying career so far.
So yes, it's possible.
And no, your $15k will not get you far. I doubt it's enough to even start the process. Things are much more expensive over here than you think.
 
WannFly said:
Yah but if he wants a job in an airline, he would need some rating and he would have to go thru ASFP.

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Yes, for the initial type rating for anything above 12500. This is 100% routine stuff for airlines, nothing to worry about. You start the process day 1 of indoc and it's done by the time you hit the sims (which is when you need it).
Subsequent ratings do not need that.
 
4 answers, sweet :p Thanks for all

I know I'm allowed to fly and to work as commercial/airline pilot once you've got a legal way to live and to work in the USA - the Green Card obtained with DV Lottery is one of those ways. I don't need a special pathway as Part 141 from PPL to ATP. Because I need flexible organization ( offered by Part 61 ), cheap cost and to fly during work.

I will see for TSA clearances : I can see in their website I must register online and I will have to make my fingerprints collected by allowed people ( someones in , they make the collecting for 150€ ). I'll make this procedure done with the medical certificate, before leaving from France.

I continue to search about flight schools, but I need your help : if you know serious flight schools, located in cities where living is affordable and where sun is always there.
 
I'm not interested by ERAU, I'm looking about Part 61 schools, they are cheaper and more flexible than institutes like ERAU
 
A lot of answers, I'm exceeded :eek:

I know 18k$ will not be enough to complete a training, but I think it's enough to begin it ( almost the IR and the Time Building ). I'll find a job in USA to live during the training and to collect money in order to pursue training.
 
Don’t come to the North East if you’re looking for good weather and low cost of living. From what I’ve read I would suggest looking towards Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
 
skier said:
Don’t come to the North East if you’re looking for good weather and low cost of living. From what I’ve read I would suggest looking towards Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
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Thx, I didn't provided to come to the North East ( Boston NYC DC ). I look at cheap states where I can live with affordable flight schools
 
@DZ_Power - good luck!

Plus, you French guys always sound awesome on the radios!
 
Arizona is likely your best bet for cheap and good weather. Few things you need to research...

A) you start with zero credit history, things you can get cost you a lot more, and some thinfs aren't available at all. Be VERY aggressive initially building your credit history. You can start when you get your SSN, about a month after you enter the country.

B) read A)

C) 18kUSD really isn't a lot of money, you need a job or two, immediately. That money is spent in the first month. You will struggle with flight training, you likely won't have time for many lessons while working two jobs.
 
mtuomi said:
Arizona is likely your best bet for cheap and good weather. Few things you need to research...

A) you start with zero credit history, things you can get cost you a lot more, and some thinfs aren't available at all. Be VERY aggressive initially building your credit history. You can start when you get your SSN, about a month after you enter the country.

B) read A)

C) 18kUSD really isn't a lot of money, you need a job or two, immediately. That money is spent in the first month. You will struggle with flight training, you likely won't have time for many lessons while working two jobs.
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With an associates in electrical engineering he should be able to find a job with enough salary to live and support his dream, but I agree, it won't be easy working a full time job and flying enough to move ahead quickly.
 
PaulS said:
With an associates in electrical engineering he should be able to find a job with enough salary to live and support his dream, but I agree, it won't be easy working a full time job and flying enough to move ahead quickly.
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I didn't say I'll work in the USA with my Associate's
 
PaulS said:
With an associates in electrical engineering he should be able to find a job with enough salary to live and support his dream, but I agree, it won't be easy working a full time job and flying enough to move ahead quickly.
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A lot of European Associates degrees dont directly translate into US equiv. I would not di any plans based on having that qualification.
 
DZ_Power said:
I didn't say I'll work in the USA with my Associate's
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Hate to be the one who says this out loud, but first job will likely be a McDonalds type of a job. And you need 2 of those jobs to even survive.
 
Ne laissez pas les gens ici vous traiter comme le Gil Gerrard à leur Ricky Bobby.

[Damn, did Taledega Nights play in France? I hope so]
 
I don't know if I'll work in the USA with my Associate's ( it's exactly a DUT GEII - Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie en Génie Électrique et Informatique Industrielle - University Diploma of Technology in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Systems ). It's possible but I don't know where can I be hired ...
 
Ravioli said:
Ne laissez pas les gens ici vous traiter comme le Gil Gerrard à leur Ricky Bobby.

[Damn, did Taledega Nights play in France? I hope so]
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I didn't have understood what you've talked about o_O. Using Google Translate is not a good idea :p. Your movie hadn't been played in cinemas in France, there is only DVD version ( thx Wikipedia - the movie has been dealt in 2007, I was 8 )
 
DZ_Power said:
I don't know if I'll work in the USA with my Associate's ( it's exactly a DUT GEII - Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie en Génie Électrique et Informatique Industrielle - University Diploma of Technology in Electrical Engineering and Industrial Systems ). It's possible but I don't know where can I be hired ...
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Bit of a personal question, but do you have any family members you could borrow around 50k from? Thats roughly what you'd need on top of the 18k you have to get you kick started where you want to be?
(Or, and i didn't suggest this, can you get a bank loan for that from a french bank that you can then default? That bankrupcy doesn't follow you.... )
 
You are on the right track asking questions. My suggestion is to put a budget together on a spread sheet. Living costs can be fairly reasonable or can kill you depending on where you pick to live. Airplanes and training are expensive as I'm sure you know. I'm in the Northeast and paying $50 an hour for the instructor and $126 an hour for a 172, which seems pretty competitive around here. The instructors I'm familiar with seem to bill about 4 or 6 hours a day, although I haven't asked other here may now better.

So I would work the budget, since money is what is going to control what you can accomplish. The ee degree, whether or not comparable to a US degree is still your ace in the hole in my opinion. I'm thinking you could get a contracting gig part time to cover your living expenses and maybe training too, and still have enough time to train and instruct. But only you can figure that out.

I take back the threat post I made, you seem ok. ;)
 
DZ_Power said:
I didn't have understood what you've talked about o_O. Using Google Translate is not a good idea :p. Your movie hadn't been played in cinemas in France, there is only DVD version ( thx Wikipedia - the movie has been dealt in 2007, I was 8 )
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It is best that you didn't see that film when you were 8. I was 41 when it came out and it's funny as hell. You're old enough to view it now, s'il vous plaît
 
mtuomi said:
Bit of a personal question, but do you have any family members you could borrow around 50k from? Thats roughly what you'd need on top of the 18k you have to get you kick started where you want to be?
(Or, and i didn't suggest this, can you get a bank loan for that from a french bank that you can then default? That bankrupcy doesn't follow you.... )
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SocGen loves, really, really, really loves bad loans. They must since they are really good at making them.
 
Consider Texas. Nearly always decent weather, very aviation-friendly and (should you choose to work) many good jobs available.

You might want to join a good flying club to keep expense of instruction and time-building in check. Example: www.rfcdallas.com
 
mtuomi said:
Bit of a personal question, but do you have any family members you could borrow around 50k from? Thats roughly what you'd need on top of the 18k you have to get you kick started where you want to be?
(Or, and i didn't suggest this, can you get a bank loan for that from a french bank that you can then default? That bankrupcy doesn't follow you.... )
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That's the main problem, I can't borrow money. I already have my PPL ( so I economize 8k$ ) but once I get USA I'll try to make important assets to pursue flight training.

I thought to become truck driver to get enough money - but I'm not over 21 ...
 
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