Dave1234
24th Jan 2009, 14:04
Right, I have searched every conceivable forum and followed as many threads as possible, I have also sat on hold with the CAA both in South Africa and also the UK, so in the hope of shedding some light on my question (so apologies if this has cropped up before) I would love some input from people who have perhaps discussed this before.
Me: Currently just returned from SA after getting PPL
Plan: Study to ATPL level and ultimately aim for an airline job.
Dilemma: Job market for newbies in European airlines virtually non-existent, hence I'm not particularily tempted to go down a cabair style integrated ATPL course and find that £60,000 later I am still playing flight simulator 2004 with household pets as 'passengers' - I am tempted by taking up the JAR ATPL groundschooling and getting a fATPL, but with no airline jobs how to hourbuild? Decided to return to SA with the aim of instructing to hourbuild after finding a sympathetic FTO that is prepared to take me on as an instructor after I have completed a CPL and IR with them.
Several questions arise here - Will I have to redo my CAA CPL theory exams once in SA, despite having already passed the broader ATPL examinations, I know that the ATPL theory will be JAR, however according to the SACAA part 61.01.04 the commissioner will recognise foreign licenses if they are to an equivalent or higher, so is there another reason that flight schools in SA are telling me that I will have to redo the theory exams?
I would really like to do my theory here in the UK as there are precious few places licensed to perform the exams in SA and if the FTO is not close to one of these it is a major pain given the vastness of the country (by UK standards!).
Also as JAR ATPL appears to be the weapon of choice with most of you guys what is the general consensus on hour building to meet the practical requirements of said licence if one does not line up for a phantom airline job, especially in the areas of multicrew experience and instrument time?
As I see it, I have 3 years from issue of fATPL to get the experience and this doesn't seem possible - would I be better off studying for my CPL, despite the fact that then studying for an ATPL will be repetition of 2/3rds of my CPL course??? :ugh:
Any thoughts would be appreciated provided that they don't involve retraining as a vet :confused:.
Me: Currently just returned from SA after getting PPL
Plan: Study to ATPL level and ultimately aim for an airline job.
Dilemma: Job market for newbies in European airlines virtually non-existent, hence I'm not particularily tempted to go down a cabair style integrated ATPL course and find that £60,000 later I am still playing flight simulator 2004 with household pets as 'passengers' - I am tempted by taking up the JAR ATPL groundschooling and getting a fATPL, but with no airline jobs how to hourbuild? Decided to return to SA with the aim of instructing to hourbuild after finding a sympathetic FTO that is prepared to take me on as an instructor after I have completed a CPL and IR with them.
Several questions arise here - Will I have to redo my CAA CPL theory exams once in SA, despite having already passed the broader ATPL examinations, I know that the ATPL theory will be JAR, however according to the SACAA part 61.01.04 the commissioner will recognise foreign licenses if they are to an equivalent or higher, so is there another reason that flight schools in SA are telling me that I will have to redo the theory exams?
I would really like to do my theory here in the UK as there are precious few places licensed to perform the exams in SA and if the FTO is not close to one of these it is a major pain given the vastness of the country (by UK standards!).
Also as JAR ATPL appears to be the weapon of choice with most of you guys what is the general consensus on hour building to meet the practical requirements of said licence if one does not line up for a phantom airline job, especially in the areas of multicrew experience and instrument time?
As I see it, I have 3 years from issue of fATPL to get the experience and this doesn't seem possible - would I be better off studying for my CPL, despite the fact that then studying for an ATPL will be repetition of 2/3rds of my CPL course??? :ugh:
Any thoughts would be appreciated provided that they don't involve retraining as a vet :confused:.