To clear up a few misconceptions for newbies....... I have met many confused people doing their "JAR Complient" licences in the US, who thought they we're getting some new type of licence. So here goes:-
1) A JAR Complient licence (from the US) is an FAA PPL, with the added bonus of having UK RT thrown in. You can use this licence in the US and abroard (the UK) to fly N reg or G reg aircraft.
2) A JAR Complient licence is NOT a JAA or CAA licence, but a licence which complies with ICAO rules (ie. and FAA PPL).
3) Doing a JAR Complient licence you get is an FAA PPL with UK RT added on. Some places might offer a "free" JAA conversion, though to do this, if under 100 hrs TT you must take the JAA written exams and pass a GFT with a JAA examiner. If over 100TT I believe all you need to do is take the JAA written exams.
4) An FTO in the US does not need to be CAA approved to train someone for the FAA PPL (JAR Complient as they like to call it). They do not need to be CAA approved to carry out the GFT for the FAA > JAA conversion, and they do not need (
AFAIK) to be CAA approved to carry out Night / IMC rating sign-off and test.
5) The FTOs which offer this JAR Complient licence can offer a JAA licence and get around the "Approved" rules by using number 4 above. Once you have your FAA certificate, then they can legally convert you to a JAA licence without having approval as long as there is a CAA FE there.
I personally don't see a problem with the JAR Complient route as long as you know what you're paying for, what I do think is a bit misleading is the way it is marketed. I spoke to one Girl in the US, and she was under the impression that she would walk away with a FAA licence, a JAA Licence and a JAR Complient licence. In actual fact she walked away with an FAA PPL with JAA RT. Still, if they are willing to convert you for free then even better. Some places definition of free =GFT fees (and re-test?), aircraft fees & exam fees.
EA