Military transition and JAR transition to FAA
02-08-2012, 05:47 AM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: F-16
Posts: 10
Military transition and JAR transition to FAA
Hi all,
This is my first post, but I am currently an F-16 pilot (western european country) with 2000 PIC hours and 4 combat tours at 28. I can leave my military at the end of 2014 so I want to start getting an idea of what's out there now. My wife is American so I'll have the ability to live and work in the US on a permanent basis. I plan to go back to the US with her to go all my quals - Multi Crew, possible type rating, etc... I'll also be doing my conversion from JAR ATP to an FAA.
My questions - what's your recommendation for schools and the must have qual acquasitions to get? Money isn't the biggest hurdle due to our seperation sum, but I want to be smart with it. Location also factors in as my wife's family lives in the pacific northwest. Also for jobs I'm most interested in corporate, fractional companies or Alaskan jobs etc and if with an airline long haul. Any advice here or possible career paths for the US?
Thanks in advance for all the info and possibilities I know you guys will have to share.
This is my first post, but I am currently an F-16 pilot (western european country) with 2000 PIC hours and 4 combat tours at 28. I can leave my military at the end of 2014 so I want to start getting an idea of what's out there now. My wife is American so I'll have the ability to live and work in the US on a permanent basis. I plan to go back to the US with her to go all my quals - Multi Crew, possible type rating, etc... I'll also be doing my conversion from JAR ATP to an FAA.
My questions - what's your recommendation for schools and the must have qual acquasitions to get? Money isn't the biggest hurdle due to our seperation sum, but I want to be smart with it. Location also factors in as my wife's family lives in the pacific northwest. Also for jobs I'm most interested in corporate, fractional companies or Alaskan jobs etc and if with an airline long haul. Any advice here or possible career paths for the US?
Thanks in advance for all the info and possibilities I know you guys will have to share.
02-08-2012, 06:04 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,192
Not sure which country you're from, but lots of guys in the US are fleeing to other countries for work. They would line up to places like Luftansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, etc if they would hire Americans. I wouldn't be so quick to get over here if you have solid opportunity there.
02-08-2012, 05:43 PM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,253
What Grumble said.
But if you still want to come here...
The $50,000 dollar question is: Does your country issue a JAR commercial or ATPL based on your military qualifications?
If so, it's fairly easy to convert to FAA equivalents. But if you don't have the foreign civilian certs, the FAA will not grant a commercial based on foreign military experience so you would have to take all tests for all ratings from PPL to ATP here in the US.
Scandinavian Aviation in San Diego is experienced in those conversions, and are reasonable in price and performance.
But if you still want to come here...
The $50,000 dollar question is: Does your country issue a JAR commercial or ATPL based on your military qualifications?
If so, it's fairly easy to convert to FAA equivalents. But if you don't have the foreign civilian certs, the FAA will not grant a commercial based on foreign military experience so you would have to take all tests for all ratings from PPL to ATP here in the US.
Scandinavian Aviation in San Diego is experienced in those conversions, and are reasonable in price and performance.
02-09-2012, 02:38 AM
#4
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2012
Position: F-16
Posts: 10
Op
I am from Belgium so yes there are more opportunity here, but not for legacy carrier so not so for my wife who does miss her family stateside and has given up a lot to be with me these past years.
I'll leave the military with my active JAR Commercial- ATPL right now I have a frozen one...
Thanks for the info about San Diego - her mother lives there currently so might be a good option, but this is still a few years off so trying to get the lay of the land over there plus the forcasted forced retirements from 2015 make it seem more attractive...
I'll leave the military with my active JAR Commercial- ATPL right now I have a frozen one...
Thanks for the info about San Diego - her mother lives there currently so might be a good option, but this is still a few years off so trying to get the lay of the land over there plus the forcasted forced retirements from 2015 make it seem more attractive...
02-09-2012, 11:00 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: I pilot
Posts: 2,049
Matrix, I just went from FAA to JAA. You will definitely have it much easier going the other way. If you donīt plan on staying in Europe, than donīt take the MCC course (unless someone else is paying for it). It will save you some money as this type of course is not necessary to get a job in the US.
If you get a type rating +500hours on type in the US, adding the type rating to the European license is much easier and you donīt have to have the MCC course, if you decide to go back to Europe.
Are you at Florennes or Kleine Brogel? When you have enough posts to PM me, shoot me a PM, I have a good friend who is a pilot in the Belgian Air Force.
If you get a type rating +500hours on type in the US, adding the type rating to the European license is much easier and you donīt have to have the MCC course, if you decide to go back to Europe.
Are you at Florennes or Kleine Brogel? When you have enough posts to PM me, shoot me a PM, I have a good friend who is a pilot in the Belgian Air Force.
