"S Green" wrote in message
...
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
om...
"S Green" wrote in message
...
"Nigel" wrote in message
...
I am from the UK and I'm visiting the US for my summer vacation this
year
and plan to do some flying from a flying school in Naples Florida. I
have
a
UK and US license and all I want is a bi-annual/check ride and then
rent a
plane for a couple of trips around the general area, maybe even
venture
down
to Key West as I have done before..
Do I need to obtain a US visa for this?
Nigel
If you have a private pilots license and you merely wish to build up
flight
hours, you will require a B-2 visa. While you may be eligible to
travel
visa free under the Visa Waiver Program, if otherwise qualified, since
the
introduction of the Applicability of Aviation and Transportation
Security
Act, we would recommend that you apply for a B-2 visa.
When applying for the B-2 visa and entry into the U.S. you will be
required
to furnish a letter from the flight school stating the type of
aircraft
you
will be flying.
Detailed information on visa application procedures and advice on how
to
schedule an interview at the Embassy is available from our website at
www.usembassy.org.uk
I am not an expert on this subject, but this sounds quite ridiculous.
His primary reason for visiting the U.S. is vacation, not flying.
Renting an airplane is incidental to his travel, just like renting a
car, or a bicycle. Why does that require a special visa? Does a
regular tourist visa prohibit one from renting or purchasing an
aircraft?
As the advice says you may be able to hour build ie rent on the Visa
waiver
program but it recommends getting the B-2 (tourist visa) and a letter from
the plane company to give details of the planes you are likely to hire.
Anyone in doubt should read this link:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...threadid=65838
I've read the link. It says that if he has a FAA license he can come on the
visa waver program and fly as long has he meets the usual BFR/Medical
standards.
Where do you get the bit about recommending getting a B-2? You
realize what a complete pain in the neck this is these days, don't you?
Why make it more complicated?