Thanks Charlie and Helipolarbear,
After going through a lot of things these last few days I am starting to get some other ideas. In particular I was thinking of just doing my JAA CPL(H).
I am trying to figure the benfits and non-benefits of this.
So far I have worked out that you only need to do 9 JAA exams instead of 13 for the ATPL. And I cant findany places that offer residential couurses for just the CPL. Bristol GS would seem to be the best option for this.
The main reason I am thinking of doing the CPL instead of the ATPL is that, for the ATPL to become un-frozen, one would have to do their JAA IR(H), which I am told is £20,000. And you would only ever get to use an IR(H) in a twin turbine engine. I am trying to think of when this might come about in my future unless I work for offshore companies, and would imagine they would sponsor you for it, as I would no way be able to afford that. Paid enough to get to where I am at the moment, and still paying!
What I dont fully understand and will keep asking, is that it seems from what I am told, depending upon your experience and what a flight school that you are doing your JAA CPL(H) decides, there is no specific amount of flying training needed. i.e. you may have to do 5 or 30 hours of training, entirely up to the Flight school. Is this situtation correct and is it the same for if I went and did my ATPL(H) ground school? What kind of flying training do I need to get my JAA ATPL(H) after having the experience that I do.
And would I be better off getting my FAA ATPL(H) before I leave America, as I am a J1'er, and then trying to do my JAA ATPL(H).
Also, does anyone know when the JAA plans on completing the JAA CLP(H) or JAA ATPL(H) system. As of the moment they seem to be still riding of fixed wing ways, and they talk about this changing around Xmas 2004.
Thanks for all your help guys.