Becoming a pilot in Japan

[shinkai]

Hi, just a quick question! I am a Japanese student studying in UK and would like to pursue a career as an airline pilot in Japan upon graduation. I would like to obtain my ATPL in UK (i.e - JAA) but I found that Japanese airlines seem to favour FAA and ICAO ATPL licenses more. Is this true? Would I be better off training in somewhere like America or Australia? Thanks very much for your time!

[c152driver]

If you really want to be an airline pilot in Japan, just apply JAL or ANA cadet pilot program which is Jisha-yosei. They will pay you all training fee plus salary.
Otherwise go to Koukuu-Dai.

chao

[shinkai]

Thanks for the reply! But a really intelligent friend of mine took the jisha-yousei exam and he failed, so just in case, could someone let me know if he/she knows anyone who trained in UK and got into JAL or ANA. Or whether this route is a good/bad idea and why? Thanks very much!

[c152driver]

Shinkai-san,
Check your PM out.

GOOD LUCK!

[Kaptin M]

Speaking with other Japanese pilots who have completed their CPL's overseas (USA and Australia), they have told me that the JCAB recognises ONLY their Private licence, and that they then had to complete the CPL academic and practical flying back in Japan to become eligible to fly commmercially there.

Perhaps you could complete your flying overseas to PPL level only, but you MUST complete the JCAB syllabus to CPL level, if you are looking at working as a pilot in your home country.

[middlepath]

Shinkai san

What you are learning in UK will be more than adequate to meet any icao state standard or FAA. Perhaps just a way of thinking, may be its just old tredition dies hard.

[shinkai]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Hmm, I really don't understand why JCAB only recognises upto PPL for foreign licenses. So for example, how would a non-Japanese pilot get work in Japan? I suspect JCAB tests are conducted in Japanese?

I would ideally like to obtain my ATPL outside Japan since the costs are significantly lower. Could anyone suggest any other proven routes to a pilot career in Japan?

For instance, could I not obtain my ATPL here in UK and then apply for a direct entry pilot position with JAL or ANA??

Any views/opinions/advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank-you!

[jr51xx]

Shinkai,

The best place to start in finding the correct requirements for an ATPL in Japan might be the Japanese aviation authorities. Have a list of questions ready when you contact them and then fire away.

In going direct to the proper authority you not only get the right information and possibly save yourself money, but you might be able to establish a good rapport with a Japanese inspector who would then be THE ONE contact that you would want to make each time in the future. That would give you a hopefully friendly face and possibly a guide in your quest.

I have seen many students from Japan training in Australia and the US. Hawaii is popular for training and is a nice place to be during those dreary days in other locations!

As for the recognition of PPL only, Japan is a member of ICAO so there is a recognition protocol between members and there will be a conversion procedure within the Japanese regulations. Make that one of your questions when you contact the Japanese authorities.

Good Luck!

[Kaptin M]

"So for example, how would a non-Japanese pilot get work in Japan? I suspect JCAB tests are conducted in Japanese?"
We undertake an abbreviated JCAB ground school (and examinations) conducted in English.

"For instance, could I not obtain my ATPL here in UK and then apply for a direct entry pilot position with JAL or ANA??"
Not for direct entry - you`d have to apply through an agency, and have at least the minimum experience levels on type, and minimum total time. These are contract positions vs career conditions - ie. as acontact pilot you will not be entitled to any career advancement outside that for which you have been contracted.

"As for the recognition of PPL only, Japan is a member of ICAO so there is a recognition protocol between members and there will be a conversion procedure within the Japanese regulations."
In that case, the F/O`s employed here are going to be severely disappointed to learn that they have been given the WRONG info by the JCAB, and needlessly wasted thousands of dollars!

[jr51xx]

So there IS a procedure after all?

[I-Fly-River]

maybe now we will see an influx of application to JCAB for an aircrew convertion exam! major jap airlines, prepare yourself :)

anyways... sounds good if there is a possibility of doing it. but do they have the need for aircrew at the moment in the jap scene? maybe those flying over there could shed some light on this matter.

I FLY RIVER.... but will try FMS soon :)

[bigbeerbelly]

Shinkai, being a Japanese citizen your quickest route to the flight deck is by contacting the Japanese airlines directly. Most Japanese pilots come from the best Japanese universities, are near the top of their class, and have the best scores on the airline exams. Sounds daunting? Once accepted into the airline you will receive full pay and benefits, while in training. ANA owns a huge flight school in California. The most luxurious school I have ever seen: 30 bonanzas and barons, marble floors, beautiful pool, etc. While touring the facility the managers told me that it cost ANA $2 million per student to train from 0 hrs to right seat.

Good luck,

BBB

[a36pilot]

Shinkai-san,

All the above comments are correct. I currently work as an instructor for ANA / ANK (Air Nippon) ab-initio training program under JCAB syllabus. ALL trainees went through six interview process with the airline. Currently ANA/ANK is only looking into ab-initio pilots or JCAC grad (Civil Aviation College in Japan). Few join from JSDF (Japan Self Defence) who flew F-15s and C-130s.

Now there are opportunities to work on smaller subsidiary airlines of the major Japanese airlines such as... JAL Express, Air Do, Skymark, Sky Net Asia, Fairinc, A-net, and etc... and they pick pilots off the street... BUT you do have to have JACB CPL MEL IFR ratings to be eligible to apply.

My advice is... if you want to fly for any Japanese airlines, do your whole training in Japan. Yes, you can convert PPL with taking one written test (Air Regs) but others you have to re-train and pass practical tests. You won't have a chance to fly for big boys but door is open for smaller sub companies.

Hope this helps.

a36pilot