A. OBTAINING THE ENTRY VISA

M1 VISA

Please read through this entire section before beginning this process. It is essential that these be done in a timely fashion and in the correct order.

Regulations permit foreign students to attend aircraft pilot training programs on a class M-1 Visa. Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight, Inc. will issue a SEVIS form I-20M-N, which certifies an applicant’s eligibility for a visa. This can happen after we receive your $150.00 application fee, your Wings of the Cascades INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT APPLICATION FORM has been accepted and you have accomplished all the requirements listed below:

PART 1 – ENROLL with Wings of the Cascades, Spirit Flight, Inc.
PLEASE NOTE: All documents/forms below must be filled out and signed (if required). They can be submitted by:

Email: pamn@wingscascades.com (if submitting via email you must sign and fax the signature pages)

FAX: 541-548-2776

MAIL: Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight Inc.
777 SE Salmon Avenue, Redmond, OR 97756

1. Fill out the online Wings of the Cascades INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT APPLICATION FORM

2. Pay the $150.00 application fee for processing and mailing. Pay online through our website on PayPal with your credit card or provide the credit card information to us.

3. Submit an official record in English of having successfully completed 12 years of school or high school level equivalent.

4. Complete the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Applicants from non-English speaking countries must complete the examination as a demonstration of English proficiency. A score of at least 500 is required, and a copy of the official test result must be forwarded to us at Wings of the Cascades by email, FAX or through the regular mail. A student must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language to meet FAA standards. If it is not convenient for you to complete the TOEFL exam in your country, or you are uncertain about your ability to study English, you should contact the Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in your country.

5. Send a legible copy of your current passport.

6. Send a legible copy of another form of photo identification (drivers license, etc.)

7. Send a recent passport type photograph.

8. Fill out the Declaration of Finances Form. You must provide proof of the financial ability to pay all educational expenses and support yourself while in the United States. A letter certified by an officer of your bank stating the amount of funds on deposit for educational expenses is acceptable. Please contact the school for an estimate of your training expenses.

9. Open an Account
a. Open your flight training account with $5,000* Refundable Flight Training Account Deposit by credit card.
b. Or by sending a wire transfer to our bank: please contact Gary Dominick or Pam Nord at (541) 548-4801.

*Opening an account with $5,000 USD is NOT A FEE! It is refundable. This demonstrates your good faith intent to the United States Government and thereby helps to justify the initiation of the VISA process (Part 4). This money can be used as part of your tuition. If the student does not qualify for a visa, all unused funds on account will be returned when Wings of the Cascades, Spirit Flight, Inc. receives the cancelled original I-20.

10. The first third of your tuition must be delivered to the school prior to beginning your training. The $5,000 can be part of this tuition requirement.

11. All additional enrollment forms will be completed with the Admissions Department upon your arrival at our school.

12. It is our expectation that you spend a minimum of 18-22 hours a week at our training facility with our Certified Flight Instructors. The time may include, but not be limited to ground, flight and flight training device instruction. This generally takes place 5 days per week.

THE VISA PROCESS, WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE TSA CLEARANCE, CAN BE VERY TIME CONSUMING. PLEASE BEGIN WORKING ON THIS IMMEDIATELY.

School Contact:

Pam Nord - Assistant for Admissions/TSA
pamn@wingscascades.com
Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight, Inc.
777 SE Salmon Ave.
Redmond, Oregon 97756
541-548-4801 or 1-866-856-9464 (WING)

PART 2 – SEVIS I-20M-N FORM IS ISSUED BY THE FLIGHT SCHOOL

1. The SEVIS I-20M-N Form is issued upon receipt of the enrollment items in #1-9. Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight, Inc. will issue and send to the International Student, the I-20M-N Form to apply for the M-1 Student Training Visa. Resident Aliens will not need an M-1 Visa to train.

PART 3 – SEVIS I-901 APPLICATION PROCESS COMPLETED BY STUDENT

1. Go to the Student and Exchange Visitors Information Service (SEVIS) website: www.FMJfee.com and complete the SEVIS I-901 Form.

2. Pay the required $200 application fee. Resident Aliens are not required to pay this fee. This can be paid by:
a. Credit card
b. Sending a check or money order drawn on a US bank and payable in US dollars by courier mail service such as UPS, FedEX, DHL, etc. to:
I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee
1005 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101.

3. This fee must be paid before the applicant arrives at the US Embassy or Consulate for the Visa interview.

PART 4 - VISA INTERVIEW FOR STUDENT WITH EMBASSY

1. Make an appointment with a US Embassy or Consulate in your country for your Visa Interview. Take all the necessary paperwork. Complete the interview.

VISA QUESTIONS
1. If you do not possess the correct visa, or if you have questions pertaining to your visa status or the appropriate visas for flight training, please contact the following for assistance:
a. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services at 1-800-375-5283
b. www.uscis.gov or the State Department Consular Affairs Office.

PART 5 - FAA MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR STUDENT

1. Before you begin flight training, an FAA medical certificate from an FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) must be obtained.

2. Make an appointment with an Aviation Medical Examiner for a medical exam. Undergo the physical examination required for the training you desire. If you meet the requirements and appropriate standards, a medical certificate will be issued for your flight training.

3. You must be able to pass and hold a Class 2 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical Examination.

4. There are three classes of medical certificates:
a. A Class 3 medical certificate is required for a Private Pilot Certificate or License and an Instrument Rating.
b. A Class 2 medical certificate is required for a Commercial Pilot Certificate or License.
c. A Class 1 medical certificate is required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate or License.

5. Click on the following link to find an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner in your country. Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your country. (This site will search by country).

6. If you have questions regarding the medical or need other information, the following website may be helpful: www.leftseat.com .

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. Age Requirements for International Students and Resident Aliens to earn and hold a pilot certificate or license:
a. Private Pilot Certificate – 17 years old.
b. Commercial Pilot License – 18 years old.

2. English Language Requirements:
a. Candidate must be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language.

3. Applicant must be able to train on an M-1 Student Visa.

4. Applicants will be photographed at the start of the flight training program.

5. Applicants should purchase a medical/accident policy for the flight training period. This is to necessary to cover both the student and also the deductible on the rental aircraft.

A. ENTRY M1 VISA CHECKLIST

PART 1 - ENROLLMENT FORMS FOR WINGS OF THE CASCADES SPIRIT FLIGHT, INC.
1. Complete the Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight, Inc. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
    ENROLLMENT APPLICATION FORM and submit.
2. Pay the processing fee of $150.00 charged to credit card or money order payable
    to Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight Inc.
3. Attach an official record showing you have completed 12 years of school or the
    equivalent.
4. Complete TOEFL.
5. Send a legible copy of current passport.
6. Send legible copy of another form of photo identification.
7. Send a recent passport type photograph.
8. Fill out the Declaration of Finances Form.
9. Pay the $5,000 REFUNDABLE TUITION DOWN PAYMENT.
10. Pay first third of tuition (can include the $5,000).
11. All additional enrollment forms will be completed upon arrival at school.
12. Attend school full time.

PART 2 - REVIEW OF YOUR INFORMATION BY WINGS OF THE CASCADES
1. Upon successful receipt and review of the information previously listed in
    Part A: 1-9 of M1 VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST, you will be accepted into
    the Wings of the Cascades International Flight Training Program.
2. You will receive an immediate email of congratulations.
3. A formal acceptance letter will be issued by Wings of the Cascades Spirit Flight, Inc.
    Be sure you have included the physical address where you can receive
    FedEx, UPS or overnight mail.
4. A FORM I-20 WILL BE ISSUED BY THE SCHOOL. Submit the Form I-20 to your local
    U.S. consulate in order to obtain an M1 Visa.

PART 3 - SEVIS I-901 PAYMENT
1. Complete SEVIS form and pay the $200 application fee.
2. This fee must be paid before the VISA interview at the US Embassy can take place.

PART 4 - VISA INTERVIEW
1. Make a VISA interview appointment at US Embassy.
2. Take all necessary paperwork and complete the interview.
3. Upon receiving your M1 VISA, you may enter the United States.
4. The school will be notified of your arrival into the United States and you are required
    to report to the school within 30 days or Immigration and Customs Enforcement
    will be notified.

PART 5 - COMPLETE FAA MEDICAL EXAMINATION

THE NEXT STEP

PASS A TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) BACKGROUND CHECK

1. Before beginning ANY flight training you must do this.

2. GO TO PART B: TSA CLEARANCE AND BACKGROUND CHECK.