British ex-pat checking in!

Papoo

Papoo

Polar 1.
Hi everyone,

I've been a lurker for a while now, thought I would introduce myself to this brilliant community.

In short, I'm English, I did my JAR (f)ATPL training in 2007 with a charter job lined up at the end, which unfortunately fell through - credit crunch and all that.

I was engaged to an American lady at the time, so we banged our heads together in light of my job, and decided that I was going to move to AZ. It made sense as she is an attorney, and consequently would have had a tough time 'converting' to being a British lawyer.

We got married (on 12 hours notice) nearly 2 years ago, and my Green Card came through last summer. Since then, I've been doing a little part time work before hitting the flying hard. In the last 2 weeks, I passed my Commercial Multi, Instrument, and Single-add on. It's been a little beaurocratic, due to my initial FAA Cert being based on my foreign license, but it's all been dealt with, thankfully. Currently sat at 310/100.

My head is in the books right now for my CFI/CFII/MEI course in 2 weeks time, after which point I'm chomping at the bit to instruct for some time and build some good experience through doing so. I'm tied to the PHX area for that, if anyone has any leads. Seems like a better place than most to be tied to, I suspect.

My ultimate goal at this point is to fly in the Part 91 business sector. I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself and let everyone know that I'm excited to be able to spend more time contributing to this resource.

If anyone has questions on JAR training and foreign license conversion, I suspect my unique scenario puts me in a good position to offer advice, which I would be delighted to share.

Safe flying, everyone.:beer:
 
Welcome to JC Papoo!

Congratulations on the commercial certs. Looks like you're pretty on top of the game!

Good luck with the CFI. :)
 
Thanks Jshutt64; so far so good. Really enjoyed getting back in the cockpit after my immigration-induced hiatus. Plenty to be getting on with right now, though!
 
Thanks for coming to JC. It is nice to hear your story and I have a few questions myself. Is it easier to get your JAR ATP with an American Commercial license or ATP? Or is it the same?

THanks
 
flyingmaniac said:
Thanks for coming to JC. It is nice to hear your story and I have a few questions myself. Is it easier to get your JAR ATP with an American Commercial license or ATP? Or is it the same?

THanks
Click to expand...

ATP, for sure.

It is actually much easier, as a low timer (non-ATP) to convert JAR to FAA, because I just had to meet the FAA aeronautical experience requirements and pass the writtens and checkrides.

Going the other way, you have to pass the writtens and checkrides, but unfortunately, there are 14 writtens. A groundschool course for an ab-initio pilot for these is about 6 months, there are month-long 'cramming' courses for pilots who have self-studied, which basically assume you have the knowledge, and this course teaches you how to pass. This would probably be the option for a low time FAA Commercial holder.

If, however, you have an ATP and 2000 hours fixed wing, the JAR conversion is only 2 exams and a MEIR checkride.

The problem with the JAR writtens is not so much the difficulty, but the sheer amount of info. Frankly, a lot of it is that 'learn and dump', and is totally irrelevant. If you want to know more/where to find the question databases, please let me know, I'd be happy to help.:beer:
 
Papoo said:
ATP, for sure.

It is actually much easier, as a low timer (non-ATP) to convert JAR to FAA, because I just had to meet the FAA aeronautical experience requirements and pass the writtens and checkrides.

Going the other way, you have to pass the writtens and checkrides, but unfortunately, there are 14 writtens. A groundschool course for an ab-initio pilot for these is about 6 months, there are month-long 'cramming' courses for pilots who have self-studied, which basically assume you have the knowledge, and this course teaches you how to pass. This would probably be the option for a low time FAA Commercial holder.

If, however, you have an ATP and 2000 hours fixed wing, the JAR conversion is only 2 exams and a MEIR checkride.

The problem with the JAR writtens is not so much the difficulty, but the sheer amount of info. Frankly, a lot of it is that 'learn and dump', and is totally irrelevant. If you want to know more/where to find the question databases, please let me know, I'd be happy to help.:beer:
Click to expand...

That would be great. PM me!

I have my ATP with around 1600 hours. That would mean that I have to take the 14 exams, correct?
 
Welcome to JC!

Sounds like you've got a unique perspective and a cool story.

I look forward to your contributions to the board.

Good times!
 
Papoo said:
ATP, for sure.

It is actually much easier, as a low timer (non-ATP) to convert JAR to FAA, because I just had to meet the FAA aeronautical experience requirements and pass the writtens and checkrides.

Going the other way, you have to pass the writtens and checkrides, but unfortunately, there are 14 writtens. A groundschool course for an ab-initio pilot for these is about 6 months, there are month-long 'cramming' courses for pilots who have self-studied, which basically assume you have the knowledge, and this course teaches you how to pass. This would probably be the option for a low time FAA Commercial holder.

If, however, you have an ATP and 2000 hours fixed wing, the JAR conversion is only 2 exams and a MEIR checkride.

The problem with the JAR writtens is not so much the difficulty, but the sheer amount of info. Frankly, a lot of it is that 'learn and dump', and is totally irrelevant. If you want to know more/where to find the question databases, please let me know, I'd be happy to help.:beer:
Click to expand...

Really? So if I wanted to work in Europe (and somehow could find the right to), then with an FAA ATP, and 2000hrs, all I'd have to do is 2 exams and an MEIR ride? Cool.
 
Hello Papoo,

Another ex-pat here - I'm originally from Wales (don't hold that against me!)

I've been over this side of the pond for 10 years now and did all my ratings in the US. The Green Card was certainly a minefield - luckily the job paid for all that.

Let me know if I can help you with any of the CFI stuff - I got mine last year.

Welcome and Safe flying

Bp244
 
ppragman said:
Really? So if I wanted to work in Europe (and somehow could find the right to), then with an FAA ATP, and 2000hrs, all I'd have to do is 2 exams and an MEIR ride? Cool.
Click to expand...

Yup. It's a lot less hassle doing it with 2000 hours or more. I guess the hard bit is getting the right to live and work in the EU.

Baron Pilot, I'm half Welsh myself, so I won't start mocking just yet. BBC America are showing 6-nations rugby this year, so perhaps we can engage in mockery of our own at some stage soon!

Where did you do the CFI course, and what would you recommend as vital reading for it? Other than 'everything', I haven't gotten much insight into the must-haves for the course. I suspect reading the PHAK, Airplane Flying Handbook and Instructor's handbook should cover a good chunk of it!
 
Papoo said:
Baron Pilot, I'm half Welsh myself, so I won't start mocking just yet. BBC America are showing 6-nations rugby this year, so perhaps we can engage in mockery of our own at some stage soon!

Where did you do the CFI course, and what would you recommend as vital reading for it? Other than 'everything', I haven't gotten much insight into the must-haves for the course. I suspect reading the PHAK, Airplane Flying Handbook and Instructor's handbook should cover a good chunk of it!
Click to expand...

I've been watching the 6 nations coverage such as it is. Not very insiring so far! Ha Ha! THe French seem to be pretty strong this time round.

I did my CFI at ATP - Used to be that they wouldn't take you unless you were a US Citizen, but they relaxed that to a Green Card and a vlaid UK passport.

You're definitely on the right track with the PHAK and the AFH. The FOIs are a PITA, but not that hard to get the hang of.
Get a hold of the PTS for Private Pilot and obviously CFI. Learn the parameters for the PPL maneuvers and of course the requirements for the endorsements.
There are a bunch of test prep products out there. I bought the King Schools CFI course and then ATP sent me a bunch of stuff when I signed up.
The ATP way of doing it was to basically just to polish up the rough edges, they don't spoon feed and its a given that you can fly. You go there with all 3 writtens complete and you have 2 weeks to crack in 3 rides. It was a tough course and I studied to death, but it was good value for money - I came out of it at around $7500 which included checkrides, lodging, food and supplies plus all 3 ratings.

PM me if you need anything more specific - glad to help.

Cheers


Bp244
 
Papoo said:
If, however, you have an ATP and 2000 hours fixed wing, the JAR conversion is only 2 exams and a MEIR checkride.
Click to expand...

Really? How much of that has to be in airplanes (I'm logging more glider time these days...)

I can still legally work in Europe.
 
Papoo said:
Hi everyone,

I've been a lurker for a while now, thought I would introduce myself to this brilliant community.

In short, I'm English, I did my JAR (f)ATPL training in 2007 with a charter job lined up at the end, which unfortunately fell through - credit crunch and all that.

I was engaged to an American lady at the time, so we banged our heads together in light of my job, and decided that I was going to move to AZ. It made sense as she is an attorney, and consequently would have had a tough time 'converting' to being a British lawyer.

We got married (on 12 hours notice) nearly 2 years ago, and my Green Card came through last summer. Since then, I've been doing a little part time work before hitting the flying hard. In the last 2 weeks, I passed my Commercial Multi, Instrument, and Single-add on. It's been a little beaurocratic, due to my initial FAA Cert being based on my foreign license, but it's all been dealt with, thankfully. Currently sat at 310/100.

My head is in the books right now for my CFI/CFII/MEI course in 2 weeks time, after which point I'm chomping at the bit to instruct for some time and build some good experience through doing so. I'm tied to the PHX area for that, if anyone has any leads. Seems like a better place than most to be tied to, I suspect.

My ultimate goal at this point is to fly in the Part 91 business sector. I just wanted to stop in and introduce myself and let everyone know that I'm excited to be able to spend more time contributing to this resource.

If anyone has questions on JAR training and foreign license conversion, I suspect my unique scenario puts me in a good position to offer advice, which I would be delighted to share.

Safe flying, everyone.:beer:
Click to expand...
welcome aboard!! you'll have to come meet the phx folks at the next meet and greet!! it should be sometime in March.

as far as answering questions in regards to JAR and license conversion, we have an ex-pat forum that could probably use your assistance from time to time. :D
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Really? How much of that has to be in airplanes (I'm logging more glider time these days...)

I can still legally work in Europe.
Click to expand...

I'm not absolutely certain, though fairly sure it is powered lift. Something to look into for sure. I'm shooting for part 91 in Europe, eventually.

Kristie, thanks for the welcome. I'd be delighted to come to a PHX meet n greet. I'm away at CFI school the first 2 weeks of March, but after that, perfect! I'm in Scottsdale, too, 1/2 mile north of the Waterfront..

Where do the get-togethers get announced on here?

Edited to add: I may have just seen the meet and greet forum. That answers my question!
 
Welcome from another UK expat!

I'm not even slightly Welsh, but I'll be cheering for you next weekend, if you could cost France some points!
 
NickH said:
Welcome from another UK expat!

I'm not even slightly Welsh, but I'll be cheering for you next weekend, if you could cost France some points!
Click to expand...

I'll see what I can do! I can't do anything remotely resembling a guarantee, though. Those blue girlies look good this year!

How long have you been in the US?
 
Yet another British expat, fortunately not remotely Welsh!

Welcome.

I was under the impression to skip the 14 exams and just do the HPL and Air Law you need 3000 hrs on A/C over 30 tons, plus 1500 hrs PIC on A/C over 30 tons, plus a Type Rating and 500 hrs on Type.
 
Papoo is right partially right regarding the 2000h requirement but it would actually have to be PIC time on a larger aircraft.

Here are the exact conversion requirements.
http://www.bristol.gs/groundschool/licence_atpl_conversions.aspx

You must know that there are Oxford, Lufthansa and Sabena training centres in the Pheonix area. I would imagine them being interested in you. At least CPL training has to be given by a JAA instructor.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top