Pilot job situation in UAE/Dubai
 

Those who are familiar with the situation in aviation industry in UAE: are there any feasible job opportunities for American expats, besides Emirates?

The situation is, my husband is fancying moving to Dubai for better job prospects in a year or two. So now I have to concern myself with possibly finding a flying job there as well :D

Emirates would be great, but I don't meet their requirements yet, barely have enough to get an ATP. Flying for a part 121 carrier in the US there's a chance I'll get a type on CL-65 along with the ATP in a few months.

What would be best strategy to go about finding a pilot job overseas (UAE market specifically)? Any career forums that would be helpful to attend? Any particular networking strategies? What is the situation on the corporate side of the house (which probably would be the most viable option).
Being new to international pilot job hunting, I'd appreciate any advice.

you mention you have a husband, so I will go out on a limb and assume that you are female. While I dont work for a company in the ME, I do go thru there a couple of times a month and dont believe I have seen a female pilot. Does not mean it does not exist, but if it does, the ratio is very small, making possibilities that much more difficult. good luck

pprune. org
 

If you haven't went to pprune.org then go there with overseas pilot questions. There are more foreign pilots there from all over the world than us pilots. Someone there would be a me expert.

Lambs to the slaughter. There is no more vial and vindictive website on aviation than PPrune.

Try *************.com - "Pilots helping Pilots". Lots of corporate pilots based in the UAE as well as airline pilots.


TP

I have heard female pilots in the ME on both the corporate side, and at Qatar, Gulf Air, Emirates, PIA and I am sure others. TP is probably correct PPW is a great resource...lots of ME based corp pilots on that forum.

Good gouge bro. Cheers!

Thanks to everyone for replies.

It's good info for me to start with. I'll check out the links. ************* looks like a good place to start.

Yeah, being female I suspected that there may be some (perhaps, unsaid) preferences given to male pilots just because of cultural specifics in that part of the world. That's why I'm leaning more towards corporate flying, should we move to UAE. Hopefully business aviation companies will have a more of a "case by case" approach to the hiring process as opposed to the rigid airline requirements.

I'll keep doing the research, since there's still some time before we have to make big decisions. Gotta start doing the homework now though :cool:

I have been out here several years at a carrier which cannot be named (a joke for those in UAE). I have had a few friends with varied corporate experience come over to search out the elusive juicy contract in Dubai/Abu Dhabi with minimal success. Most of the jobs are looking for seasoned typed drivers of larger jets with the range to reach Europe/Asia/NA and a few hundred right seat hours from a CRJ is not going to get you that far. I know several EK pilots who regularly make rounds to investigate any jobs on the private side and get stone-walled.

If your goal is just to fly for a modest paycheck and you don't have shiny jet syndrome, I know the skydiving drop zone is always looking for jump pilots for the Porter/Otter/Skyvan fleet they have. Easy hours, great view, etc.

RemoveB4flght, thanks! PM sent.

Knew a few people at Royal Jet in AUH - BBJ and G4 etc. Good pay, questionable QOL. Seemed like many were leaving for EK/EY or going back home or to Asia for better gigs. Last I heard there was quite the corruption ring going on with upper management. Makes the good ole' boys' club look like a circus! That said, the UAE is the only place I would consider in the ME. Execujet in DXB or Amiri are the only other ones I would consider if I needed to, but they are looking for time in type guys only. Good luck!