When planning aviation training, international students must choose flight schools in the USA that are good for their plans and appropriate for their situation. Paragon Flight has the credentials these pilots need and a stellar program of custom flight training for every student.

The customized approach to training that we offer at Paragon Flight appeals to all pilots regardless of their country of origin. Whether you need flexibility or structure, we offer it all. This fact is significant for international students because they must attend a Part 141 authorized program and can issue an I-20 form to apply for an M-1 Student Visa.

At Paragon Flight, students from all locales find flight training worth any amount of travel. This training rests on superb Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs), world-class Jeppesen curriculum, superior training systems, and Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) for every training course we offer.

What to Know as an International Pilot Coming to the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security administers and governs the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and prescribes procedures that international students must follow, including attending a Part 141 flight training institution.

You will not need a visa if you’re a pilot with an existing license and just need to transfer, validate, or renew credentials or refresh training. You can also rent an aircraft without a visa.

Most international students will need an M-1 Student visa, not a tourist or business visa. To apply for this type of visa, students will need an I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), which only certain flight schools can issue – Paragon Flight being one of them.

Permanent legal residents or international students with an H-type Visa can participate in a Part 61 program if they receive TSA approval before training begins.

Paragon Flight Training Programs

Paragon Flight’s program curriculum includes various available courses, including those for recreational, professional, and military purposes.

Training for recreational purposes:

• Private Pilot License (PPL) Training – preparation for single-engine aircraft in clear conditions
• Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) Training – preparation for utilizing communication and navigation tools and systems in IFR conditions
• Multi-Engine License (MEL) Training – preparation to operate multi-engine aircraft
• Cirrus Certified Aircraft Training – preparation to operate Cirrus SR series aircraft in VFR conditions
• Glass Cockpit Training – preparation for using basic Garmin Glass Cockpit technology

Training for professional purposes:

• Commercial Pilot License, Single Engine (CSEL) – mandated for single-engine aircraft operation in exchange for compensation
• Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine (CMEL) – mandated for multi-engine aircraft operation in exchange for compensation
• Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Training – mandated for pilots to apply to be an airline pilot (as well as 1,500 flight hours)
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Training – mandated for trainers who offer single-engine training
• Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFI-I) Training – mandated for trainers who provide instrument flight rating training
• Multi-Engine Flight Instructor (MEI) Training – mandated for trainers who offer multi-engine flight training

Training for military/government purposes:

• Initial Flight Orientation (IFO) – prepares pilots for participation in basic training
• Single Engine Recurrent Training (SERT) – scenario-based training for bettering a crew’s coordination, cooperation, awareness, and safety
• Rotary Wing to Fixed Wing Transition Training – helps commercially licensed helicopter pilots train to become airline pilots.
• Aircraft Transition and Differences Training – helps pilots transition to new aircraft.

If you are looking for good flight schools in the USA suitable for international students, contact Paragon Flight to learn more.