Graduation from a French university has also been quoted as a pre-requisite to employment in a French airline
Absolutely untrue
Back on the subject :
Am french holding a JAA CPL/IR issued in UK and am in the process of getting a validation to work in France.
Technically, you can work here with a JAA, non french issued, but you cannot apply to the pilot pension fund . Who cares ? well, it is illegal to work as a pilot for a french operator if you cannot participate to this fund .... Clever, isn t it ?
Steps to get a validation :
-Contact the Service Formation Aeronautique et Controle Technique, Mme Martine Corboliou
+33 1 58 09 45 08
-Asked to be emailed the application form , which is in french
-Fill it
-Return and wait ..... 3 months, at least
I have the application on my computer, PM me and I will mail it to those interested.
Honestly, France is one of the worst place for pilot employment today, I doubt you will find something here and not in UK.
I think 2000 french pilots are unemployed right now, and Unions will be very upset to see foreign pilot "stealing" french jobs.
Good luck anyway, and you will only waste time in the process....At least the french CAA doesn t charge for the validation process