Hi all, thanks for the warm welcome.
Regarding the FAA-JAA conversion, I've done a little more looking, and it looks like there is more than one way to skin a cat.
I got the 2000 hours figure from a miliary pilot who is doing his last few years in converted (observer training) biz-jets. I think his requirement is for 2000 hours, with a type rating, 500 in that type, and he does his MEIR test in that type.
There are about 4 ways of going about it, and I'll be sure to post them up when I can write them down in a 'useful' way. You know how FARS/JAROPS are written!
I'm aware of Oxford, Lufthansa and Sabena (CAE Global) in the valley. I actually went to Oxford! It's how I met my wife!
Here's what I know of Oxfords training pipeline:
Before you come out to AZ, you do 6 months of groundschool, and knock out the ATPL theory exams.
Oxford at GYR has both 61 and 141 certificates, if that makes a difference, and to my knowledge, all they do is the one course for guys like me. It is conducted under FAR 61, and takes you from scratch all the way up to ME Commercial.
At about 45 hours, or PPL standard, you don't do a PPL checkride. Instead, you do what they call PT1 (practical test one). It is similar in content to a PPL ride, you just don't get a ppl out of it. On an integrated (141-style) course, you don't need a PPL to get a CPL.
After PT1, you do lots of XC solos, and then a few dual instrument lessons, then PT2, which is akin to a basic IR. It's basic maneuvers under the hoo, intercepting NBS, tracking, NDB holding, and NDB approach. It's a quick flight.
Then it's on to the multi. A few flights in the PA-34, then the ME/CPL ride. This is done with a CAA-approved examiner, unlike the previous 2 tests. Then it's back to the UK to hit the IR hard. To my knowledge, the IR must be done in the UK.
As for the instructors; I've spoken to Oxford, and it seems like they require their instructors to hold JAA and FAA instructor tickets. I'm not sure what part of the US-based training requires a JAA qualified instructor. Presumably the CPL training. I assume that Sabena and Lufthansa do something similar. I know the Lufthansa guys don't do any multi training out here, they just do bonanza flying, then return to Germany to finish off.
I can say that Oxford is a well-run organization. It's very busy, lots of students, lots of instructors, and carefully organized to run as smooth as possible.
I'd LOVE to work at any of the 'European' training establishments here, though I'm under the impression that they are tough gigs to get. On top of needing the JAR instructor tickets (I think), they require plenty of dual-given to be competitive. So it looks like it isn't your first instructor position. I certainly want to know more about it, however. When I revalidate my expired JAR ME/IR, I may look into a JAR instructor rating.
