American prices look great compared to UK rates but as a student with 19 hours towards PPL(H) and a desire to go for ATPL I am trying to find out as much as possible about all the routes to professional qualification.
I know a guy from my flight school who's gone to HAI on the FAA course starting last Monday. I've talked to one of HAI's JAA/FAA combined CPL instructors who, obviously, sung the schools praises.
I've spoken to my UK instructor who simply passed valid comments of needing to be careful that the JAA qualification is recognised back here in the UK, and that it is importnat to have knowledge of the airspace you want to fly commercially in, be that US or UK or Oz etc
I am unsure whether to pursue the FAA route myself, after getting the PPL(H) in the UK first. The FAA course seems to be a hell of a lot of training for a lot smaller capital outlay, but:
1) how transferrable is a FAA license if I came back the UK?
2) what conversion would I have to do and how much would it be?
3) If i went on a J-1 for two years, how easy is it to get an instructors or commercial job after the training as I'd need to building as many hours as possible and making some money too!
4) Has anyone heard anything about Ocean helicopters in Florida, they dont do the sling and mountain courses but do everything up to CFII for about £40000, including accomodation
Any help would be greatly appreciated.