Europe
 

Hello,
So here is my story. I have been born and raised in Poland til my late teens. My family and I moved to the United States about 9 years ago. I have a 4 year aviation degree fro the dreaded ERAU(I know, I know...) I have been flying for a XJT for over a year and I really enjoy the company and the lifestyle but I am really itching to go back to Europe. Since I　am a citizen of EU Ｉ do have the right work anywhere in EU. Obviously I do not have JAA ticket but I am willing to convert it. My times are: 2000 TT, 1000PIC, and Almost 1000 SIC turbine. The question is: If I had a JAA conversion, would I have a shot at working in Europe? Where do I start? I appreciate any relevant input. Thanks

Yes you do. With that type of time you should have a shot to go anywhere you want. Are you looking at a specific company?

From what I see you are an F/O , the JAA conversion is not as tough as doing it from 0 hours but it takes time.

You have two options:
Distance Learning or Full-Time learning.

Distance Learning can be done from your home but most schools require you to go there for a brush up (1-2 weeks) before you give the exams. This might be a little difficult, unless your airline can give you the time off. Distance Learning can be done a soon as 7 months or it can go for a year, it all depends on how much studying you do, and trust me it's a lot.

Full-Time is more structured, should last 6 months. You will be in a classroom for about 600 hours and be done in the quickest time.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. After that you will need to convert your CPL/IR (15 hours minimum of flighttime)

Thank you for the prompt response. Ideally I would like to work for LOT Polish Airlines. I was browsing and found an article in a reputable polish newspaper. The article described the process of recruiting and it mentioned that most their pilots have about 300 hrs when they get hired, so I was hopping that my experience plus JAA license would give me an advantage, having said that, I would work anywhere in Europe even the eastern block. When it comes to the conversion, I think that the nature of my job will force me to study on my own. Do you have any schools that you can recommend? I was looking at Naples Air Center. Thanks.

I will try and see if I have any contacts at LOT and get back to you. Don't know if they are hiring.

Yes, most of the EU countries hire with minimum 230 hours. These new hires might start flying "heavies" almost immediately. This is Europe ...

With your experience I am sure you won't have a problem, but for countries such as Poland, Greece etc. you need to look out for the infamous "connections" Not always the best person gets the job just because they know someone in the airline, government, someone very rich, this is the downside with some European countries.

Study on your own is not a bad route, just be ready for a lot of information and details that you will probably never use but you will need to know to pass the exams! :D

I would not recommend NAPLES. The best distance learning program is offered by BRISTOL www.bristol.gs . 98% pass rate. They are based in Bristol, UK.
I would also recommend Oxford Training, www.oxfordaviation.net

Naples or one of the American JAA schools should be your last resort, only then apply there. (This is my opinion)

I'm pretty sure if you go out and get an FAA ATP, and have 500 hrs on type with an SIC type rating, you can actually go through an accelerated conversion process where you basically do a "type validation ride" in a sim with an examiner. It results in a full Euro ATPL.

Look at aviationjobsearch.com for some ERJ jobs...there are tons...although you should be able to get on with LOT directly. Lots of Euro jobs are filled via contract agencies since there are a few different languages and minor differences in work rules among the member states...

You could also easily do Rynair/EasyJet DEFO, but they'll make you pay for your type I think. Pretty sure Ryanair has lots of outstation basings.

Not true.

If you hold 500 hrs multi crew experience on a FAR 25 /23 type, hold a type rating on that type, and will be doing your ATPL skills test on that type you are exempt from the Type rating course and doing any type of training for the ground examinations, you can simply just enter and sit them without any help, then go and do the skills test.

I used to be a flight instructor at the Naples Air Center, prety good school.

As far as getting employment in Europe, keep in mind that it is more challenging getting a job in Europe than in the US. Many people think that if they convert their licenses to European, there will be a job waiting for them in Europe, that's not the case at all. I had a total of 14 European students, some did well, some did not. It took some many years to find a good job, a couple didn't fair too well, they end up at US regionals.

UCLA: How did your European students get jobs at regionals? Was it easy for them to get a green card? I've got a contact with NJE who would like to fly for NJA, but I'm not sure how he will get the work permit.

Olympic: How would a single seat fighter guy with FAA ATP (not having 500 hours multi-crew) convert to JAA ATP? Would I have to self study for all ground exams and then fly a checkride? I've read about first having to take the ground exams and then having a "frozen" ATPL until 500 hours multi-crew. Is this accurate? Thanks!

There are quite a few companies there that will give you waivers from JAA for 6-12 months that are renewable as well,,i know Denmark, Iceland, Ireland and some others do that. Then you could fly in EU for a while make sure you like it before you spend time and money to convert. Kimbro in CPH for one has several us faa pilots.

I think in order to fly in Europe you need to have pass an MCC course. Now as far as military time. It will defenitelly count towards total time but the bottom line is that you defenitelly need to do all the theory, convert your IFR and CPL and that if I am not mistaken will take something like 7-9 months. aweb site with good info about all these is www.JAA.nl. You can do the theory online(self study) pass the exams and I think you make arrangments for your check ride. If i am not mistaken the IFR you have to do the check ride in a country that supports JAA.