Flying internationally

Xcaliber

Xcaliber

El Chupacabra
So I'm at a point in my life where I have few responsibilities, and nothing really holding me to the US. I figure that there is no better time than now to see the world. So...

How does one go about trying to find piloting jobs internationally? I don't know anybody to network with, and I haven't exactly been a world traveller in my life. While I know this may be an issue, I am willing and able to learn quickly.

Just offhand, if I do go international, I'd be most interested in finding a job in China, Japan, or Europe, but those are certainly not limiting. Also, I'm not demanding a permanent, full time 767 job either. As long as I can live off the salary, I'd be happy. It'd also help if there is room to move up in the future, too, but again, that's not limiting.

I have relatively low time; at the end of my current internship I'll have around 800 TT, 300 turbine, 200 of that citation sic time, the rest caravan pic. 400 or so pic total.

So...where should I start? What should I be looking at/for? Any direction would be helpful!
 
Hello,
Unfortunatly any really good corporate job will require much more total time. Our insurance here requires at least 1500TT but we personally require closer to 2500 and previous PIC experience. Also, at our company we never post openings. Everything is filled through our network and it has proved to be 1000 times better. Our attrition has gone to 0 as we hire only those we know and trust and those that want to be here. I know it seems tough, but you gotta get out there and meet people, set an impression, and keep following up. In the meantime you have to keep building your turbine experience. A regional would be a good place to go.

As for jobs internationally not in corporate I can not comment on as I have no idea what they may be looking for. Good luck!!
 
usually when guys go overseas they have over 2000tt and a type rating. Going overseas now you'll probably end up in china, if you really want a job I can give you something in nigeria, no type required. pm me.
 
-=Deniz=- said:
usually when guys go overseas they have over 2000tt and a type rating. Going overseas now you'll probably end up in china, if you really want a job I can give you something in nigeria, no type required. pm me.
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Ending up with no real previous experience in China is a bit difficult. They are looking for guys with time in type.
 
Climbto350.com has job advertised today for Citation PIC/SIC. I don't have a subscription. Click, highlight, copy in google, you should be able to find it.
 
XcalibeR said:
So I'm at a point in my life where I have few responsibilities, and nothing really holding me to the US. I figure that there is no better time than now to see the world. So...

How does one go about trying to find piloting jobs internationally? I don't know anybody to network with, and I haven't exactly been a world traveller in my life. While I know this may be an issue, I am willing and able to learn quickly.

Just offhand, if I do go international, I'd be most interested in finding a job in China, Japan, or Europe, but those are certainly not limiting. Also, I'm not demanding a permanent, full time 767 job either (in fact, my first choice would be to NOT go airlines). As long as I can live off the salary, I'd be happy. It'd also help if there is room to move up in the future, too, but again, that's not limiting.

I have relatively low time; at the end of my current internship I'll have around 800 TT, 300 turbine, 200 of that citation sic time.

So...where should I start? What should I be looking at/for? Any direction would be helpful!
Click to expand...

Great to hear you're looking for work where you can get it.

Some practical considerations for you (some are from me first hand, and some are from guys who have done all the fun stuff - e.g. flying for foreign carriers):

1) A marginal ATC system with marginal english speaking controllers in mountainous terrain is not a good thing unless you're on your "A" game. There are times with 3 or 4 of us listening to ATC that we need to enquire 3 to 4 times to understand what they want, or deny clearances to stay safe.

2) You don't want to be an FO internationally unless the place has a sterling rep. I'd venture that fsiflyer's operation is probably OK, so are places like Emirates, Etihad, Cathay to name a couple of the few.

3) Time in Type and command (PIC) are super important. There's not really a ladder system like in the US for you to use. You are hired help, and pigeon-holed into what you know. There are "breaks" out there, but it'll take awhile to meet the right people.

4) There are ALOT of VERY experienced pilots with all kinds of time on the streets right now. So even the int'l market is very competitive.

Please don't take this as a "you can't do it", because you can!! Just make sure you consider the above to keep you safe and employed....

Best of luck!!
 
Caravan jobs in Africa, Papua New Guinea, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Maybe right seat in a King Air or Citation. Look at Dyn Corp, AirServ, Blackwater, Execujet, or whoever else does government/humanitarian flying. Bexair in Bahrain might be a place to look into. Falcon Express in Dubai has Beech 1900s, but wants guys who are typed, even for right seat. Eastern SkyJets in Dubai has/had a Jetstream 41 and they were looking for guys a year or two ago. They've got DC-9s as well so there could be some chance to move up. Look at all the FBOs that run charters in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, and other Safari hotspots. Baf might know some more names ( hint, hint ).


TP
 
TP,

Wish I new more...I'd love to be able to help guys find work. Most likely, they see the same stuff I do. My sources of inside info are very limited, mostly since I'm not given any significant details.

You mentioned Eastern Sky Jets in DXB; they have advertised a few times in recent years for DC9 guys (typed & current) IIRC. Their ad actually said, "Time wasters need not apply.". That strikes me as a sign of in-your-face abrasiveness...someone you'd want to avoid working for if possible. Don't know why...just seems unnecessary to put something like that in a job ad. Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it that tells a lot.

Air Serv Int'l might be a good starting point for the lower time guys as the pay isn't comparable (from my last source of info) to lots of other similar jobs but it's a good place to get one's feet wet. I don't believe they have their Afghan ops anymore but are focused in Africa. Seems to me that time in country would create contacts and open a lot of doors.

L-3 Vertex advertises but I don't know what they do. Evergreen looks for CASA 212 pilots now and then (typed & current, of course :whatever:).

There's an outfit outside RDU, ACL, I think (don't know what it stands for), that does kinda heavy-duty overseas work but I've never seen them advertise. Blackwater, to my knoweldge, doesn't advertise either. I'm surprised Dynamic does.

From what I hear, these places are fat on resumes as every pilot on the payroll has about 5 buddies he's trying to get on when openings occur.

Wish I could be of more use. Of course, you know, job advice from me is akin to marriage counseling from a priest. :laff:
 
Hi!

First, go to pprune.org.

Flightinfo.com has the best US info. PPrune is to the World what fltinfo is to the US.

A lot of jobs are available through contract agencies:
PARC
CREW
IAC
Rishworth
are a few I can think of off the top of my head.

With a US FAA, it is easily transferable to ICAO, which is good everywhere except for Europe and Canada. It is also easy to transfer licenses to Canada (and also easy to get work authorization). Transferring from FAA to JAA (Europe) is a NIGHTMARE, and the right to work there is also tricky. You CAN fly with and FAA license in Europe, but only "N" numbered aircraft.

Living and working overseas is hard, and even impossible for many Americans. I had a buddy go to a great Asian carrier and then quit, because he didn't think through what it would be like to live outside the US (Shiny Jet Syndrome!).

Most overseas jobs you either live there, or commute 30 on/30 off, or 2 months on/1 month off. I am working on a 6 month contract overseas with NO commuting. Sucks.

cliff
GRB
 
atpcliff said:
Living and working overseas is hard, and even impossible for many Americans. I had a buddy go to a great Asian carrier and then quit, because he didn't think through what it would be like to live outside the US (Shiny Jet Syndrome!).
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Very very true. And the largest problem is that with the way things are, you and 100000000 more pilots are feeling the same way and am starting to look overseas as a way to stay in the air.

As for India mins because that's all I know, you need 100 hours PIC to get anything here. They will only take PIC's and the DGCA is becoming more and more of a little bitch to deal with. And honestly I bet there's 10 more guys with at least twice your total time applying for the same job.

Your best bet is to find an instructing job or something to get your time up. If your set in going overseas, doing some research and finding those jobs that don't mass advertise, or that goes by word of mouth. Sometimes it just means just getting out there and meeting people. I had a buddy just fly out to africa and found a job just bumming around the airports.

Good luck, I love flying overseas and the whole experience. My only worry here is teh DGCA kicking me out and having to find another one of these gigs. I think it would be very difficult to go back to the states right now lol

=Jason-
 
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