Danger! Helicopter FAA CPL training

In July 2006, I left from London Gatwick for Atlanta, USA via Shannon in Ireland. The purpose of the trip to the USA was a combination of visiting friends, travelling and to undertake some helicopter flight training. It was my intention to remain in the USA for about ten weeks, then to return home to the UK for a couple of weeks and subsequently to return to the USA with my girlfriend for another ten to twelve weeks to finish my FAA CPL.

On arrival at Shannon, it was necessary to clear US immigration at the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) point within Shannon airport.

At the CBP checkpoint I was advised that I should have been in possession of an M1 visa in order to undertake any flight training and that the completed Visa Waiver form was not acceptable. This was contrary to information previously supplied to me. I was advised that the best course of action was to return home and to investigate the matter further.  The CBP officer also advised me that if I wanted to stay and argue the point, then I would be refused entry to the USA. If I was happy to accept their advice to return to the UK and that was the end of the matter as far as they were concerned...