Why are US flight training schools CAA approved for JAR/CPL
US schools were very popular with Integrated and latterly Modular training providers in supplying training to UK pilots partly because they could do so i) at a price cheaper price despite incurred travel and accommodation costs and ii) usually with better weather.
In such a market, the CAA had to extend its approval outside of UK borders. There are other countries on the approval list.
However the situation with the market post-2001 rather changed things around for the training market, as has the European JAR and now encompassing EASA jurisdiction.
One could argue that there ought to be a central European EASA approval system thus taking away another tier of CAA control over the flight crew licensing system. EASA-wide FCL should be up soon on EASA's agenda.
BR
P.S. A big hello to fellow pprooner and reader of Wannabes Liam T whom I met yesterday quite by coincidence at my flying club.