pilot_man

Hey guys and gals,

I'm new to this part of the forums, and had a few questions for you. I'm in flight training here in Texas and will be finished within a month. I will have Comm AMEL/ASEL Inst, CFI, CFII, and MEI. I estimate I will have 300 hours TT and 130 Multi, anyway I recently found an interest in doing some flying over in Europe for a few years. I'm single, and think it would be a great experience and not to mention a lot of fun. What I am wanting to know is, what will I have to do to be able to fly over there? Is there any carriers there that would hire a low time pilot such as myself, if so what kind of minimums am I looking at? I plan on instructing for a little while also, so my time will be at least 500 TT when I am ready to start. I also would like to know what are the differences in flying in Europe as opposed to the States are? When I come back, would the US carriers frown upon that kind of flying or would it make a difference. I know thats a lot of questions, but im still trying to figure out what I want to do. Ive been searching all day and haven't found much. So if anybody could help I greatly appreciate it.

Happy Landings,
pilot_man

Typhoonpilot

Step 1 ) Right to live and work in a European country.

Step 2 ) Convert your FAA certificates to JAA certificates.

Step 3 ) Buy a type rating in an A320 or B737.


Notes to Steps 1 through 3. Step 1 is the most difficult. If you don't have a passport from a European country or ability to obtain residence status the best way to obtain it would be to go to Poland or another Eastern European country and find a hot farm girl to marry. You can then ride into residency status off her passport Step 2 takes 14 written exams and a couple of flight tests. Plan on between 8 months to one year for studying and passing all the requirements. Check out Naples Air Center in Florida for further info on that subject. I don't personally advocate Step 3, but that is what most of the Europeans do. They don't really have a GA ladder to climb. They go straight to an airline with a Frozen ATPL and about 300 hours after they've purchased a type rating. The more adventurous pop down to Africa for a few years and do some real GA flying.



Typhoonpilot

pilot_man

Ok thanks alot!! Who is it that I need to talk to about the passports, and the right to work there? Also if I was able to get the first 2 steps done, would I be able to get on with one of the regional carriers there? Like flying atr's and such.

Rama

Step 1 and 2 will take aout five years, so you will have plenty of time to research your options. Another way to do this would be work through the US system and get some pic time in a larger jet and then you would be marketable as a contract pilot through PARC Aviation or one of those types of companies. It is much easier finding a job in the US to be honest.