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Old 3rd Jan 2015, 09:28
  #5 (permalink)  
CentreOfExcellence
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
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lookimchris

With all due respect, I think you'd be taken more seriously if you put your money where your mouth is. This isn't an iPhone chat, so ur goin 2 b Capitalizing, punctuating and writing in complete sentences.

Now, regarding working overseas:

Most pilots don't intentionally work overseas. They find themselves there for various reasons, usually economic. The reality of working overseas does not usually correlate with expectations. The best international jobs are filled with highly experienced professionals who have spent many thousands of hours plying the trade elsewhere and earning it. Ultimately, if your desire is to work overseas, you need to be pragmatic.

Other than a few time building jobs in places like Botswana (check the thread on Maun) and an occasional missionary type job flying Cessnas in very remote areas, there are certain expectations when being hired overseas. IF the country has a requirement for ex-patriot pilots, they are looking for EXPERIENCED pilots to fulfill a shortage of adequately trained national pilots. Therefore, they will not hire a low-time pilot to come and fly their equipment. Most countries have ab-initio cadet training programs in place to fill their growing needs for less-experienced pilots.

What does/will this mean to you? If you truly want to fly overseas, it will take a long term commitment to gain that experience in the US before you are marketable overseas. It's a tough time in the US for new pilots with the recently updated FAA requirements. You will have to be committed to gaining that experience through flight instruction, banner towing, skydivers, intern/seat warmer for Part 91 operation, and a few other channels. I believe competition for those jobs will be more intense as pilots will have to commit to a longer period of time building to become eligible for Part 121/135 flying.

Once you reach those minimums, you'll need to spend some time with the regional airlines or Part 135 operators to gain the experience that will make you marketable overseas. Once you begin searching for jobs overseas, even as a First Officer, expect minimums of at least 2,500 hours, type rating for designated job and at least 500 hours time in type. Maybe a little loosening on the time in type depending on staffing needs, but no less than 250.

Based on these circumstances and the fact that EU countries have much lower time requirements to enter the field, I believe you will see fewer young American ex-pats as time progresses.

Another thing to consider with time building jobs in Africa and SE Asia. Most of the people there don't necessarily have dreams of flying in those location. They are usually from countries with fewer commercial aviation opportunities than the US and have aspirations of becoming airline pilots in their home countries or EU. With your desire fly outside of the US, it might not be of any help to your goals. You will walk away with time in nothing larger than a Caravan and no multi-engine time. Where will you get turbine, multi-engine experience? Airlines or part 135 in the US.

Hope this gives you somewhat of a picture of the future you desire. You'd best work on your written English skills as well. English literacy is taken seriously. If your resume is poorly written, amongst a large supply from other competing pilots, it will more often than not be tossed in the trash. Best of luck to you.

Last edited by CentreOfExcellence; 3rd Jan 2015 at 23:46.
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