Instructing at a French FTO

[ephemeris]

I am an experienced ME instructor, (IRI, CRI, FIC, ) currently working at a busy FTO in the UK.
My family and I want to move to France, ideally the south-west.
My question is how interested do you think French FTOs would be in someone with my qualifications ? My french is not brilliant yet but am working hard to improve it. I have heard that only French licences will do and that there may be a need to convert, can anyone confirm this?
Can anyone tell me anything about ESMA in Montpellier or AEROPYRENEES in Perpignan with regard to instructing there, are they hiring, pay etc..
Many thanks!

[Leo45]

May the Force be with you!

It can be done though despite the two hurdles you are likely to encounter in this country: bureaucracy and arrogance (only the French know how to fly kind of thing).

Until EASA flight crew licencing is implemented, you still need to have your UK JAR licence "validated" by the infamous French DGAC. Here's the link to the form to fill in:

http://www.developpement-durable.gou...n_FCL_1_r5.pdf

As far as your FI(A) rating is concerned, I believe that you have to undergo an assessment and some FI training and a test to be able to instruct on a French registered aircraft.

You can drop an email to the DGAC: licences-navigants@aviation-civile.gouv.fr

L'ESMA was looking for flying instructors able to teach in English (as they have Chinese cadets training in Montpellier) some months ago.

Good luck and please keep us informed of your progress!

[ephemeris]

Leo

Thankyou for your reply, and the links. I didn't imagine it was going to be easy! I will certainly keep you informed...

[Trim Stab]

Currently you have to hold a DGAC instructor rating to teach at a French FTO - though that may change in 2012.

Be aware that salaries at both ESMA and Aero-Pyrennées are absurdly low compared to UK salaries. I heard that A-P pay the SMIC (mininum legal wage) to their instructors...

ESMA would be a better bet as they offer tuition in "english" - though currently this is with French instructors with a painful level of English, so a genuine English speaker might be useful to them.

[Manflex55]

French instructors with a painful level of English

Pléonasme.

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