Big picture time guys.
Quite understandably you're mainly concerned with the GA and training differences between the two Authorities. That's because it's your hard earned or borrowed cash involved.
However, as most of you are intending to become professional pilots it's in your own interests to become better aquainted with the differences which will affect your own careers, safety and lifestyle.
Whether FTL's, performance issues, safety regulations or general oversight professionals labour under huge disadvantages under FAA rules. Those of us working behind the scenes on all these issues know exactly how frustrating the birth of JAA has been but still see it as the right and safer way to go.
A couple of examples: As you fly on your hols in a European registered non ETOPS 757 and are unlucky enough to suffer serious electrical failure it doesn't matter which company you fly. Ships battery and APU battery combine their efforts to get you safely down with up to 90 minutes to sort it out. Every 757 coming off the Boeing production line is so equipped in terms of allowing this but the FAA does't require it and therefore there are only two 757's in the US that have the required relays and cables fitted to complete the system.
As another example, Euro authority employees are constantly dismayed at the FAA regions being run as independent and personal fiefdoms. Many of you will be aware of the unusally steep approach into London City. One FAA Region happily approved a long range business jet to operate into that airport despite a slight problem.
Gear down, full flap, engines at idle, spoilers out and speed set to maintain Vref - the aircraft accelerated all the way down the slope!
Anyone who's been in this business for any length of time can spend an entire evening telling you much, much more. I've no axe to grind, have nothing to do with the training industry and have flown extensively for many enjoyable years in the States
I am concerned though, that many in the training system are developing highly colo(u)red views that will remain with them for a very long time. Assuming you intend to spend your working life as a pilot, the time spent gaining your licences is very short indeed and you should spend some time discovering more about the respective philosophies of the FAA and JAA.
ALPA was created and grew from nothing because of operators' attitudes to safety aided and abetted by the FAA and its predecessor. I strongly recommend that you make the reading of 'Flying the Line' part of your aviation education. If you intend to be a professional pilot for a long time - find out now before FAA good - JAA bad becomes an ingrained reaction to any aviation issue.
Regards from the Towers
Rob Lloyd
[email protected]
[This message has been edited by PPRuNe Towers (edited 02 April 2001).]