China

HVYMETALDRVR

HVYMETALDRVR

Well-Known Member
I applied to for a job flying the corporate jet version of the airliner I fly now, to my surprise I received a quick response through the contracting company. Now before the topic comes up, I'm aware of the cultural differences over there etc etc. I've been on pprune.org and have traveled twice to Asia (not to China, yet). The pay is tremendous, schedule is tougher, but I think I can handle the plunge.

I've spent the afternoon compiling the required docs, and reviewing the interview process... two questions/issues have come up though.

1. Back when I started flying a decade ago it was discovered I had color-blindess. I only passed some of the plates on the Ishihara test. I had to do the light gun signal test to get my medical. I've never had an issue getting the 1st class and have a letter from the FAA saying that I meet the color vision standards for any class of FAA medical.

2. They require no limitations on type or license. On my license I have ATP CIRC APCH VMC ONLY, along with the same limitation on my type rating.

Can anyone chime in that's flying over there currently and has experience with these issues? Are these always deal breakers or are there exceptions made? The documents they sent me say I'm required to pass a CAAC sim ride, can the circle app be demonstrated when I get there in they're sim? As for the medical, it says colorblindness is a point of concern... any Americans that are colorblind flying over there?

Just want to have an idea before I invest all this time for nothing. Thanks in advance!
 
1. China has their own version of the Ishihara plates, and it's difficult for people with perfect color vision to figure out what half of them are. Really, what it comes down to is whether you can pass THAT particular test with THAT particular doctor on THAT particular day. I wish I had a less trite-sounding answer, but I've honestly heard of people with prior color vision problems skating through the medical, and people with no known problems washing out on the plates. Luck of the draw is really the first big hurdle in coming over here.

2. The CIRC APCH VMC ONLY is indeed a deal-breaker. The law of the land is that China will not accept a license for conversion with ANY restrictions whatsoever, regardless of whether they're on the aircraft you're actually applying for. Your old company didn't do circling approaches? Your BE1900 type rating require an SIC? You've got to get those removed before you get the CAAC license.The circling approach cannot just be demonstrated on your CAAC sim ride, I'm afraid. Even through the Chinese check airmen I've met scoff at the very idea of a circling approach, it's about getting your paperwork up to their standard. Most people I know with that restriction interviewed first, and if they got the offer, it was contingent on them getting the restriction taken off their license.
 
Not sure 100% about China but for most of Asia, color blindness at any degree is a deal-breaker. Most job application I have seen, where you will have your license validated it clearly states no restrictions and no color blindness. As far as I know outside the US there are very few authorities that issue restrictions on a medical for a CPL or ATPL, the restriction in most case would be all you can get is medical for a PPL. In South America they allow you to do extra testing, but mostly to prove that you don`t have a problem and that during the normal medical you were not evaluated correctly.

Sadly paperwork is more important then common sense.

What about the contact I gave you in the past? That door may still be open and my "in-law" would be happy to help you again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top