FAA - JAA oncversion question

[riot shields]

currently i am in my commercial phase training in the united states, under FAA. if i finish all my ratings and i get a job working regional in a year or two and build up my multi time, then i can apply for the JAA, from what i have read. but to get a job as a pilot in europe, do i need to be a european union citizen, or does my transfer from FAA - JAA give me legal right to work and live in europe?
i know its somewhat of a new situation giong on with teh conversion and changes, but i am looknig for any sort of info i can get.
i want to do a lot of traveling in europe, and if i can be a pilot in europe, then all teh better.

thanks - Jesse

 

[hellmuth]

I am sort of planning on doing the same thing but I have it a little easier being married to a German. To the best of my knowledge, here's how it works:

One must obtain a work permit. Normally, that entails either being a citizen or being married to one. From what I know about Germany, for example (and I'm pretty sure the rules are much the same everywhere else in the EU), an employer would be able to get you a work permit without having to fulfill one of the two prerequisites mentioned above under one condition: The employer must state and prove that you are more qualified to fill the desired position than any citizen of the country you are applying in. This, of course, could present a problem. In addition, all the airlines operating in Europe (that I am aware of) require that an applicant speak their language fluently.

Still, although difficult to meet all of these conditions, it's possible.

 

[kellwolf]

Hmmm. How often do the EU airlines hire someone with FAA ratings? Sounds like you would need a work permit before you could get the conversion, or can you do that first and hope for a job?

 

[xdashdriver]

First off....immigration is an entirely different topic to conversion of pilot licenses. One has no bearing at all on the other, in the US or the EU.

Conversion from FAA to JAA will take quite a bit more than just applying for the license after you build some hours. JAA pilot licensing requirements will require you to sit some 15 or so ground examinations after completing an approved course of ground training. On top of that, you'll need to complete an approved course of flight training from an approved JAA flight training provider. To conclude, you'll need to pass the flight tests too. Your FAA training will probably reduce the number of hours you will need to train, but other than that, it will not help you much at all.

European airlines all require JAA qualifications, there is no way around that.

Immigration is an entirely different story. You can train and get your JAA licenses without a work permit. Having a JAA license will not help or hinder your immigration issues in the slightest. They are totally unrelated. Immigration is probably going to be the biggest obstacle to overcome. JAA training is also a rather huge and expensive obstacle, but enough money will get you there.

Bear in mind that JAA pilot licensing hurdles are significantly harder and higher to jump than their FAA counterparts.

Hope this helps a little...let me know if you have anymore questions.

Ray