Hieronder volgt een tekst van groot belang voor
hen die een FAA of een JAA license in de V.S. nastreven.

Het heeft mij inmiddels $130 en veel ergenis gekost.

De ambassade weet het niet en geeft verkeerde informatie, ATP flightschool, grootste ME school in de VS gaf desinformatie :mad: , terwijl ik de reis al geboekt had en nu op zoek moet naar een andere vliegschool.

Op de internetsite www.flightschoolcandidate.gov wordt er ook niets vermeld en bij visa informatie op de dept of state van de VS ook niet !

Dit terwijl deze regels al 3 jaar bekend blijken te zijn.....

Een kwade S.

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I asked Phil Boyer (AOPA US) recently if there could be any simplification in the requirements for foreign nationals stemming from his discussions with the new head of homeland security.

Here's the reply, from Woody Cahall, VP Aviation Services, AOPA which they have kindly given me permission to copy here:

Dear David

Phil has asked that I respond to your questions and concerns since I have been working with this issue for some time and often hear from members like yourself. I can clear up some confusion by being definitive in what the new rules are and how they affect your situation. Regrettably, much of the information concerning the current state of confusion between INS and TSA rules is correct.

The recently added requirements of the TSA Alien Flight Training Rule, combined with the requirements of the INS are in some cases redundant, burdensome, and even intimidating, as you mentioned. To clarify whether or not a student visa is required, the INS implemented new rules in August of 2002 that require an academic student visa (F-1) or a vocational or nonacademic visa (M-1) before pursuing a course of study, this includes aviation courses of study. In addition, the INS rule further stipulates that any alien entering the United States on a B-1 or B-2 visitor's status visa is prohibited from enrolling in a course of study.

The lack of correct or complete information available from FSDOs and flight schools is largely caused by several iterations of changes to the definition of exactly what constitutes "flight training" that would fall under the "course of study" definition, along with the TSA's inability to effectively communicate the information. This is especially true for members that are based in other countries. We have discovered that, even though the INS rules have been in place for nearly three years, it wasn't known by many pilots until the Alien Pilot Rule was issued. And, flight schools were previously not required to check an airmen's INS status.

With regards to consequences if the new, or previous, requirements are not met - we have not heard of any violations being issued. To help alleviate any misinformation, AOPA has stepped in to educate pilots by developing an online resource in the form of AOPA's Guide to the TSA Alien Flight Training / Citizenship Validation Rule. You can view this, in plain language, at http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/. AOPA also understands the burdens this rule places upon foreign pilots, particularly those who hold current FAA certifications and wish to upgrade their credentials during the course of their visit to the US.

Although we have successfully persuaded TSA to make some changes and clarifications that help alleviate some of these burdens, we have not yet been able to develop remedies for all of our foreign member's concerns. We continue to pursue all opportunities but it is unlikely that we will return to a pre-911 environment in the foreseeable future. It is also unlikely that we will be able to gain special TSA/INS consideration for US certificated foreign pilots in the near future.

As you might already know, because of AOPA's efforts, the new TSA rule does not require vetting for all flight training. It only applies to an alien candidate who is seeking a sport, recreational, private pilot certificate, instrument rating, or multiengine rating.

TSA has taken the position that these types of training substantially enhance a pilot's skill, and therefore they have become a focal point for the agency's threat assessment. Further, we have no indication from the INS that their "course of study" definition requiring an M1 or F1 visa would be applied to flight training in categories other than those listed above.

Please be assured that all TSA and Homeland Security activities targeting general aviation are high on AOPA's agenda and, although the continual changes in leadership of those agencies create challenges, we will continue to pursue changes that are important to members like yourself. We should see improved momentum as we again go through the steps of developing working relationships with new Chairman Cox and others.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please feel free to forward any questions or comments you may have in the future.
http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/