It is true that JAA trained pilots can get a US private certificate based on their existing licence but after this a serious difference between the two systems develops the FAA will let you sit the writtens and take the checkrides for any higher ratings (instrument and commercial, ATP etc)with just a sign off from your instructor and of course log book evidence of the training you recieved for your licence in the first place, no further training is mandated, this is just between you and your CFI. The JAA treat people going the other way in a very different and arbritrary way. They allow you to sit the writtens and take the CPL checkride just like the americans do but insist that you complete a full course for your instrument rating. Why? there can be no safety reason for this. . .. .If the americans are not up to the much vaunted JAA standard then why are United and American and Continental and Fed Ex and all the others allowed to operate in and out of Europe? What about all the European pilots now flying for airlines all over Europe that got their instrument ratings in FAA land and converted them to their national licences before the JAA came to pass,and subsequently converted these licences to JAA licences. If there is something wrong with the training these people recieved that can only be rectified by having them sit a full course, surely they should be forced to sit a full course before they are allowed to continue their flying careers.. .. .Who allowed the JAA to happen? Nobody I know of Voted for it, nobody wanted it and most of all it wasn't needed.. .. .One of the JAA's stated aims is harmonisation with the FAA, Why are they going in the other direction? . .. .Anybody got any ideas?