Study and Work in USA
 

Hello everyone,

I have a few quetions to ask and believe the post might get quite long and I am sorry for that in advance.

Firstly'd like to tell about myself a bit. I am a student, citizen from Europe, staying in UK at the moment. Currently own JAA UK CAA PPL with only about 60 hours on it. After graduating this year, was considering of imigrating to US, to proceed my studies up to CPL and then hopefully looking for work in USA as a sea-plane pilot.

So I was interested if someone could tell, how hard it is to find a small job as a sea-plane pilot, or just a pilot for a small company somewhere in Alaska for a European Citizen with FAA licence?

And if anyone could suggest me a good school, which could take me up to the level needed to find such a job?

Also if this possible, someone could give me any hints on how to transfer JAA PPL to FAA PPL?

Thanks for reading this not as long as expected topic.
Roman

There are a bunch of threads covering this, both here and on pprune.

You can get a "based on" PVT FAA certificate with just a bunch of paper shuffling. However, it will have whatever limitation your CAA PPL has it and if your CAA PPL becomes invalid due to currency your FAA cert will also be invalid.

As to getting a job, almost impossible without the right to work over here. The employer would have to show there are no American citizens or green card holders that can do the job.

Seaplane flying is a chicken and egg problem. Since there are not many "minor accidents" flying a seaplane (anything more than a dent can result in the plane sinking) most operators want to see some real world experience. The FAA requires 500 hours total time to be VFR PIC of a charter airplane.