Work in the Caribbean

[zakpeegoodus]

Anyone know visa, license and experience requirements to work in the Caribbean?
I have an Australian and Canadian CPL, and an Australian and British Passport - and 2200hrs total time - almost all single, but 400hrs turbine and a multi- IFR rating.
I was thinking of trying the British Virgin Islands, but anywhere in the Caribbean would be great...
Any advice??????

[B Sousa]

Past Experience down there in Helos only but Observations of the Fixed Wing side. Jobs do pop up once in a while but you should take some vacation and visit. BVI is expensive and I dont see many overweight Pilots down there. Its extremely important to put your face to a resume with Chief Pilots. You never know you could start work right away. There are some Operators you should stay away from. They love to fire folks just before pay day and even from a small company that looks bad on the resume...
If your headed that way for "vacation" drop me an email and I can give you a couple names to ease your travel. Maybe some guidance on how to get by cheap for a while...

[Chippie Chappie]

Hi folks,

zakpeegoodus, I hope you don't mind piggy-backing on your thread but had the same question myself (I have both UK and Australian CPL(A)s with Brit and Aussie passports).

I'll be visiting Bermuda and Beqwia in December and wondered who the best people to see when I'm down there would be. So if anyone knows the bods to see or fancies a chat over a beer down there, I'd appreciate it.

B Sousa, It would be great if you could give the names or a hint of the operators to stay clear of (either on thread or via private mail).

Cheers,

Chips

[zakpeegoodus]

Piggy back all you want! Isn't that what this pprune thing is all about?
U.K license? You mean the JAR license?
I was thinking of doing it but $$$$$.
I'm now committed until easter in a caravan amphib ( any floatplanes in the caribbean? ) - so can you let me know how you go in December??
You can e-mail me at [email protected]

B Sousa - thanks for the reply, I'll give you a hoy if and when I make it over...

[juba]

Guys with a Brit passport there is not much to worry about on the visa side - you should try a wee airline based out of Nevis and St Kitts - 'Nevis Express'. They are often looking and have a few islanders and might still have a couple of 1900c's. The DO there is Sean Heanville. The office is right at the Nevis airport and once down there it is pretty easy to jump seat around with your ID. Good luck, its a chilled out place with easy hours (30 or so a month). They fly N registered a/c so an FAA license is a must.

Good luck if you get down there let me know.
Cheers
Juba

[Captain Stable]

Is that Eric Lamb or Alan Hadadi?

[bluskyII]

Hello dear fellows,

Instead of beginning a new thread, I will ask the same kind of question as you zakpeegoodus, I hope you don't mind piggy-backing on your thread (again!!!)

My case is a little less attractive than yours as I am just leaving school with a minimum of hours... Cpl Ir Me 200h total time.

I don't have much hope to find a job in the "big jets" for the moment in my country (belgium) as it is virtually impossible for an ab-initio to be engaged.

So, what to do? Move to a country where they operate relatively small a/c, fly there, get paid, fly and fly again, build an experience, have some good time, and then come back (maybe). That would be nice, I want to do it!

BUT, Is it realistic for a guy like me to move to the caribbean and find a job there?? HELP ME please!

Another issue is about type ratings... (I do not have any).

I have a JAA licence, a belgian passport. I am 20, and the only thing I want is to fly.

If you could just tell me if it's an option to keep in mind in my case, I would be very pleased.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[Panama Jack]

BUT, Is it realistic for a guy like me to move to the caribbean and find a job there??


Without trying to sound negative, I would have to say that with 200TT your chances in the Caribbean are pretty much zero (competition-- many people are wanting jobs and the Caribbean sounds someone exotic for time building). I have no other place to point you to-- things are rough everywhere. A good many Euro types head to Africa, but realize that with 200TT (here I go sounding negative again) you're pretty much a commodity. Good luck though and lets hope things improve in the not too distant future.

[Chippie Chappie]

Zaakpeegoodus - no problem. Will drop you a line when I have some info. BTW, I meant to say Barbados rather than Bermuda (small short circuit there as I didn't book the ticket :) )

I have the older UK CAA license as it was issued before the JAA license came into effect - but it's effectively the same thing for the most part. And yes, it cost a bit :ouch:. Just hoping that it pays off at some point.

Now I have to decide whether or not it's worth getting an FAA license as well - $$$$ :ugh:

Ciao,

Chips

[juba]

Alan Haddi is the owner - didnt come across him much as the chief pilot (who I believe has moved on) Stephen Hunter and the Director of Op's ran the show!
Cheers
Juba

[Panama Jack]

Chippie Chappie,

If you meet the time requirements for the FAA ATP, you can get it done at a few places for about $1000 USD, including written and checkride. I don't think you can get anything done in Europe for about a $1000. :}

[gramps]

g'day chippie Chappie,

Give me a buzz on my private email and I'll give you some advice on potential operators to contact. I'm an aussie who has been flying out of the Southern Carribbean for about 18 months. Also fly into Barbados/Bequai pretty much every day so might be able to arrange a jumpseat.

Cheers

Gramps

[B Sousa]

Hint: Air St Thomas

[Chippie Chappie]

Hi folkes ,

Thanks for all your help.

Panama Jack - If I can do that in the Carribean itself, it would be great. Unfortunately, I fall just short of the full ATP requirements so would probably need to start of with a CPL. Is that a problem down there or can it be done fairly easily?

Gramps - I've sent you a message to your personal e-mail so give me a yell if you didn't get it.

B Sousa - Thanks, I'll check them out

Cheers,

Chips

[Panama Jack]

Unable to say for certain what you can do in the Caribbean (I live in Central America). Since you are probably going through Miami, I would do any training there-- since fuel prices on islands tend to be elevated (everything is shipped in). I have absolutely no ideas about costs these days.

Out of curiosity, what exactly are you lacking on ATP requirements? What are your times-- PM me if you wish.

[yachtpilot]

PANAMA JACK...
Many thanks to the prompt reply to my PM...I tried sending a detailed reply back but for some reason it just doesn't send...just keeps asking me to log in again and erases the message..
Once again... many thanks and much appreciated...

[Panama Jack]

Bummer, maybe give it a day and try again.

Would love to hear from you.

PJ

[chunkylover53]

Hi,


If you guys are thinking about conversion to FAA licenses in the States, your best bet is to do the training at a Part 61 not Part 141 school, as there is no 3 month security back ground checks done for that.
On saying that do your research before heading to Miami, contact Airborne Systems in Ft Lauderdale (141) and American Flying Club (61) and see what they have to say. re papers needed.

Or

Go to a flight school in the Carribean, pay more for fuel and then fly back to the states to do your checkride as long as all paper work is complete.

CL

[AV8R4]

Panama Jack

Can you tell me anything about flying in Belize? I have been looking at two outfits, Tropic Air and Maya Island Airways. I am sending resumes to both. I was able to talk to someone at Maya Island Airways but have not heard anything back from Tropic Air. Any info you can provide would be appreciated.

[Panama Jack]

AV8R4,

I would do a "search" of postings about Belize and Tropic Air. There was one pilot on this forum who gave some valuable infomation. I would not expect any airline to respond to you unless they want you. In the case of the airlines in Belize, I imagine they have file cabinets full of resume's and from what I have heard they normally hire people who they have met-- they get a steady procession of those folks too coming through Belize. I imagine that they have a large batch to choose from, but the day they need someone and you are there and meet the qualifications, bingo! Good luck!

[AV8R4]

Thanks PJ You're probably right!!

[Panama Jack]

That is not to discourage you. Find out when their traditional hiring time is, pack some copies of your resume, license, logbook, cash and your mask, fins and snorkel ;) and head down there. San Pedro (where most of these companies are based) is more pricey buy Caye Caulker is the more budget area and a lot of fun-- you can take a boat to visit in Caye Caulker or fly one of their airlines-- which isn't too expensive either. Look at the TACA website, they often have specials to Belize or fly to Cancun and bus it down into Belize. If you do make it to Belize-- make a point of crossing the border into Guatemala and visit the Mayan Ruins at Tikal. You can fly, but the bus is an interesting overland experience and not too bad (and of course, cheap)!

[AV8R4]

PJ I just got back from Cancun about two weeks ago and it was great. I was on my honeymoon so it would have been a little difficult to get down to Belize at that time. I am looking for airline tickets to Belize right now. BTW did you get my PM. I don't know if it worked or not. My question is will my FAA CPL be valid in Belize or will I have to convert it to something else. Thanks

[Panama Jack]

I was on my honeymoon so it would have been a little difficult to get down to Belize at that time.


Ah, understood. ;) It may have been a short marriage if your decision making were different.

PM'd you your response regarding the license. Take the bride along if and when you head to Belize. If she is anything outgoing or adventurous, she'll like plenty of snorkeling there and take some good shoes or hiking boots to Tikal, plus rain gear. Don't forget the camera!

[bumboclot]

panama's info is very correct. but for all those interested, i know for a fact that niether of the airlines in belize will be needing any pilots this year, and probably not next. the turnaround here is almost 0, and there are no more plans for expansions at either airline. plus there is already a few qualified local pilots who are waiting to fill the next positions that do open up. if you want to come to belize for a vacation, it's a great spot to visit and have some fun. but if you come here looking for work, you'll just be wasting your time.

[europilot]

Guys,

Whats the difference between FAA Part 61 and FAA Part 141...when looking into a conversion at an American flying school ???

No smart answers please..

tx

[AV8R4]

europilot,

Part 61 flight schools are go at your own pace finish when you finish. Part 141 is on a set schedule and requires that you complete the course on a set timeline. The flying time requirements to finish are less in a 141 school because of the rigorous schedule that you have to follow. ie 191 hours to complete CPL in 141 school and 250 hours to complete the CPL in a part 61 school. It's been a while since I looked at the FARS but I think that this info is correct. I hope that I helped you with your question.

So Long

[crack up]

What do U.S. flt schools have to do with "Latin America and the Caribbean"?

[Captain Stable]

Mainly because the USA has a lot of presence throughout the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the USVI, also a lot of Caribbean nationals go to the USA to get their FAA tickets before going home to work.

[B Sousa]

Plus if you do your training in the USVI or Puerto Rico, you have many wonderful places to have fun........ You can also get some serious IFR if you need it.

[czechmate]

If i have a US green card does that allow me to work in some of the Caribbean? If not, how else can an Aussie go about getting a work permit?

[Panama Jack]

In the US possessions (Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands), yes.

[M.85]

Dear all,

I am very interested in packing my bags and heading West.
I have a JAA ATPL and a FAA ATPL,2600 hours on turboprop.(BE1900 and SA227),including 1400 as single pilot in these 2 last types.
I have a French Nationality and speak english fluently as I worked in the US.
Any info,please let me know.

Safe Flying,

M.85

[Captain Stable]

As a French national, you would be best advised to try Guadeloupe or Martinique, or St. Martin.

Don't bother writing. Take a copy of your CV and arrive on their doorstep. Arrange to be out there for two or three weeks, and make sure you stay somewhere they can contact you after a couple of days or so - taking your mobile phone and buying a local pay-as-you-go SIM card is also a good idea.

[M.85]

thanks for your reply,

St Martin,la guadeloupe is a bit far from France ...I dont have the finances to just fly there like a tourist and hand in my cv...


Safe flying,

M.85

["V"]

If anyone's still looking at this post, i'm in the same situation as alot of the other guys in here.

I'm an Aussie and have Australian and Irish passports, thus far i only have 500 hours TT but am considering a move in around 12 months to the Carribean. I've got a decent job flying charter in the north of Aus doing around 50 hours a month as a relatively junior pilot, any tips on who i should start e-mailing??

Many thanks,

V

[B Sousa]

"V"
Just a suggestion, but most Island Hoppers are busiest around this time of the year. Further, since they are so small, the easiest way to get a job is being at the right place at the right time with your resume and backpack in hand.
High season is usually around Oct/May. Take a little break and plot out a visit starting in the British Virgins and head on down island. meet with owners and who knows you may find something to start you off. If not, you have had a great vacation.
Face to a Resume works best. Faxed or Email Resumes go in the round file more often than not.
Also dont plan on getting rich, just a roof and some food and beer money is normal working conditions for low timers.
Good Luck

["V"]

Thanks alot Bsousa

in saying that would 12-1300 hours TT be enough to put you in good stead for a gig?

"V"

[european champion]

Excuse my poor knowledge of geography and history but which islands from the carribeans still belong to european countries?i am asking this because i assume that if some islands belong to France or Netherlands for example then i guess someone would be able to use his JAA license without doing any convertion.

[Panama Jack]

C'mon European Champ. You're a pilot (I assume). Ever looked at a map before?

Even in some of the more backward parts of the world, such as Europe, they publish these cool maps which outline political borders, and they assign different, cheerful looking colors to the different countries. They even publish the names, and if not independent, their ownership-- it will say something obvious like (U.S.), (U.K.), (France), (Neth.), etc.

But I will save you the time of going your your local bookstore, and save you a Euro, my friend. Chick this link, and do some exploring of the New World!

http://www.hwn.org/ftpshare/pub/america_caribbean_pol97.jpg

[european champion]

Thanks Panama Jack,very nice map.Can someone use JAA license to fly in the islands that belong to European countries?most aircrafts are european registered or with american registration?

[Panama Jack]

Depends on the islands (and I admit I don't know all).

French Overseas territories (ie, Martinique) yes, all "F-" aircraft. I understand Dutch Antilles runs under the JAR system. On the US possessions, yes, N-registered aircraft. Even some non-US places, like the Turks & Caicos, supposedly favor the FAA system.

[B Sousa]

in saying that would 12-1300 hours TT be enough to put you in good stead for a gig?

"V"

Certainly if it has a few hundred hours of IFR and Multi/ Single Engine Complex time.......