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Qualified US pilots don't convert to the JAA system they remain in the US to work. The ONLY reason there is such a large amount of people converting FAA to JAA is because all the european nationals come to the states to take advantage of the cheap flying.
Remember US nationals cannot just waltz over the pond and get a european job.
The cost to convert a full JAA ATPL with the required hours already achieved.
FAR 61.159
1500hrs total time
500hrs x-country
100hrs night
and 75 hours actual or simulated instrument in an aircraft runs to about 1500 dollars about 1000 pounds including flight training,written test and flight test fee.
This is considerably less than to convert FAA to JAA.
If flight training were cheaper in europe than the US then the visa applications for US nationals wanting to flight train in europe would go through the roof. In the capitalist economy that is the USA would the americans impose hefty overburdening restrictions on the US nationals returning with their cheap european licences wishing to convert to the required FAA.
No they would just lower the prices to compete and keep the training in their own country. Maybe it is something europe should look at.
Regards
FYF