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JAA conversion

Old 07-16-2008, 01:00 PM
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Default JAA conversion

has anyone actually converted FAA certificates to JAA? if so, how much time, effort, and money are we talking?
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Old 07-16-2008, 02:35 PM
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I did convert my ATP license and I can tell you it is a painful process. There are different ways of converting depending on your level of experience. I would highly recommend you going for the UK license.

First of all, you need a Class 1 medical test. The first one has to be done in UK. Period. After that you are good and can renew it more or less easily. This medical test is very elaborious and expensive. I think today it cost around $650 with the exchange rate. Yes you heard me. I paid for the renewal $400 in FL. It is essentially a military medical exam and takes about 5 hours to complete. I was tested on things I don't even know what it was for. You can find some info at Initial JAR Class 1 (Professional Pilot) Medical Examination | Medical | Safety Regulation

The next step will depend on your experience. You have three options. Option # 1: If you have at least 500 hours on a multi crew jet + hold a type rating (second in command type is acceptable), you can right away take the 14 written tests and your skill test in a simulator at Flight Safety or other providers approved by CAA.

Option #2: You have at least 3,000 hours on a jet weighing more than 30,000 kg (x2.202 for pounds) on scheduled international routes (that's the killer) and of which 1,500 hours must be PIC, then you can receive a UK license valid for 18 months. The time restrictions is lifted once you pass 2 exams (instead of 14); Air Law and Human Performance.

Option 3# You have not jet transport experience and you will need to take those 14 exams. You can after take your commercial in US but the instrument rating has to be done in Europe. Officials want you to have European airspace experience. Before taking the skill tests you will need endorsements. Once you get the "hours", this commercial is going to become an ATP.

Option#2 is rarely used and I believe if you are flying a ERJ you are out. The only option you have left is #1.

Now, those 14 exams are not easy. The questions are very picky and the answers very close. You will need to take this study seriously and you will quickly realize that your experience won't necessarily help you. You will learn a lot of things you probably never seen like polar navigation. One memorable question I will never forget was: What is the lapse rate in a standard atmosphere? (a) 1C/1000 ft (b) 2C/1000 ft (c) 1.98C/1000 ft (d) 4C/1000 ft. The answer is obviously "c". Don't start screaming (it was my first reaction) and complaining... it's a lost battle. That's how picky they are in their answers.

There are however some companies (like Gleim) that offers an unofficial database of questions gathered over the years by students. This database is very useful but there are a lot of mistakes. www.aviationexam.com is one of them. The database includes about 15,000 questions. By the way, I highly recommend the books from Oxford Aviation/Jeppesen. it will cost you about 1,000$.

The bottom line is this all process will take time. If you are thinking of getting your conversion done in 1-2 months for a job now, you are in for a surprise. I have several friends with some good experience who have done the distance learning course and it took them anywhere between 6 to 12 months. Your efforts will depend on it.

Hope this helps.
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Old 07-16-2008, 03:38 PM
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Very good explanation from the above post,,, something I want to ad is!!! The first thing you should ask yourself is,, Do you hold or eligible for European passport, or right to work in Europe. If yes, then you should go for it.

It takes around 6-9 months to do the 14 exams.VERRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY COMPLICATED, especially general navigation and instrument. then you have to do a check ride depends on your experience. this will cost around 15000 to 20000 US dollars total, everything included.

remember coming to JAR county also require to pay for a Type Rating to work for a company. Unless u have 500 hours on Type.

Good luck
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Old 07-17-2008, 04:03 AM
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I have to concur with all the above. I did the conversion and testing 3 years ago and yes it's quite difficult. Also you should note that each CAA can and does interpret the JAR regulations differently and some require all 14 exams no matter what your experience may be.
Suggest you do some massive research on the country of choice, visit the country and the CAA beforehand and perhaps visit a few of the FTOs in the country of choice to get their read on things. This all takes time and money...
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Old 07-17-2008, 07:40 AM
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Well I thank you all for the responses. Definitely plenty of information there. Enough to talk me right out of it too! HA. It all seems a little ridiculous to me, not to mention all the time and money I've poured into this job already, I'm not pouring that much more in. But again, thank you guys.
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Old 07-17-2008, 07:50 AM
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Fly

sorry for the news. they've done their best to protect themselves over here. I guess it boils down to just how bad you really want it and what you are willing to do to get it. Another option is to get a non-flying job in Europe and work the licenses while doing the other job. This is how I did it... This will also take some major effort.
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Old 07-17-2008, 08:01 AM
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StarLifter, where you at bro?
Let me know when your in ATH!
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Old 07-17-2008, 08:32 AM
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Oly,

still here. Was in Varna Bulgaria this morning. Should be at LGAV on Monday but this is ALWAYS subject to change.
I've been reading about guys wanting to come over but just don't have time to write out the process, in addition, I fully feel their pain but don't know what else to do.
There are ways to do it but one must be clever and creative, there is no
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Old 07-17-2008, 08:34 AM
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Sorry man, the dog just dropped his paw on the keyboard and sent the last response...
Anyway, I wanted to say there is no one solution that fits all. Each method of getting the licensing is unique...
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Old 07-17-2008, 07:44 PM
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as bad as it seems, i think it's worth going through the process of the 14 exams and some extra flying. It opens a completely new market of jobs, which in some countries put you behind some heavy aircraft, even if you dont have thousands of hours. Especially now, since every regional in US is furloughing, anyone who is willing to put some time and effort in converting the license can do it.
You can also do the conversion in the US. School in naples in FL does it, and they have the home study course as well. Work as a CFI, or a FO at a regional (if you still have the opportunity to do so) and study for the exams during off hours. This would probably take the longest but at least you stay in US and have a job and still manage to do the 14 written exams, which seem to be the toughest part of the conversion process. After the exams, find a proper school in Europe to do little bit of flying and convert IR and CPL.
To me it seems to be the easiest way of converting without spending too much time in Europe without a job.
Hopefully I'll be able to get through this process quickly. Good luck.
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