EU student - School recommendations anywhere
 

Hello everyone!

I'm from Europe and I'm interested in becoming a commercial pilot. I do not have any previous flying experience. I want to pursue flight training in the US during the summer because I believe that the quality there is much better compared to EU and building a solid base is really important to me. I'm also choosing the US because of the cheaper prices.

Here's the thing. Being a foreign student, I'm not allowed to receive any training under a visitor/tourist visa. So I need to find a SEVP approved flight school that can issue a M-1 Visa. (I'm not sure if I can find an instructor who teaches foreign students and can issue M-1 Visa, would that be possible?). So the options are kind of limited, unfortunately.

What I want to do is: Get a PPL either part 61/141, an IR part 141, an AMEL and build 50 hours IFR PIC + 40h PIC and finish up with a CPL course in Europe. Through this route, I won't have to pay for any additional training (maybe for a few sorties for EASA airspace familiarization) or conversion costs, since I'll be getting an EASA competency based IR (EASA states that if I have an ICAO IR + 50IFR hours, I just have to sit the EASA IR skilltest without further training). So, say 50h PPL 141, 35h IR 141, 50 IFR pic hours (I'll be getting a CFII with me every 5th flight), 40h PIC, 10h AMEL, 5h in Europe for brush up and 15h for the CPL, total 205 hours.

The IR 141 part is the ideal as this is how I'll save money and basically get real IFR exposure while paying less. But even if I end up doing both part 61, I will still save money compared to doing the training in Europe.

I'm looking for a SEVP certified school anywhere in the US where I can get the job done within 4 months, with rates under 100$/h and experienced instructors. Quality of instruction is crucial and that's the main reason I'm willing to do the training in the States.

By browsing this website, so far I've found only one that meets the above criteria and this is Gorge Winds Aviation in Portland, Oregon but they don't respond in emails. Has anyone heard anything about it? Could you recommend any other schools (61 or 141)? Any tips?

Thank you!