Originally Posted by
B2N2
I couldn’t disagree with you more.
- Former CFI / current airline pilot.
This shows the stark difference between the CAA/EASA and FAA systems. What works in one doesn't work in the other.
Assuming no jet time:
The perfect candidate in Europe has 200 hours and is fresh out of flight school. More hours are seen as a bad thing (generally) because they want to train you in multi piot operations as early as possible.
The perfect candidate in the US has 1500 hours as a CFI. More hours are seen as a good thing because they make you a better pilot.
Personally if I had to do it all again I would cover all bases:
1) get an M1 visa and persue ONLY the FAA Private in 4-6 weeks.
2) do the CAA/EASA exams.
3) Apply for an F1 visa for IR, CPL and CFI.
4) Go back to the States and get the FAA IR and 50 hours PIC under IFR.
5) Approaching 180TT I'd return home to take the CBIR (ICAO > CAA route - training as required) and the 15 hour CPL course.
6) Return to the US and fly the remaining 50 hours for CPL from the right seat, concurrently training for CPL and CFI, Take both tests on the same day. (Yes you can do this!)
8) Work as a flight instructor in the US building towards 1500 hours.
9) Get CAA MEP and MEIR conversion (approx 10 hours) and MCC
10) Apply for cadet jobs with a CV that shows only 200 hours.
11) Continue in the US building flight hours whilst exploring the various routes to a green card (marry a Hooters waitress, become an informer for the FBI etc...)