JAA licencse in the caribbean

[chock2chock]

Seeng that most of aviation in the english speaking caribbean countries are governed/administered by some mutated/archaeic form of eruopean CAA, would having a european (JAA) licence put one at any sort of advantage over someone with an FAA certificate when it comes to getting hired by an outfit in the region? (speaking from the standpoint of a CARICOM national) I understand that experience will also be the main factor to consider, but for a freshly minted CPL pilot fresh out of flight school looking for their fist job with good (high)ATPL groundschool passes/ and a spotless training record vs. Ditto with an FAA licence...:ugh:...well to put it plainly, does a JAA licence carry more weight than its FAA counterpart in these parts?

[Gooneyone]

Does your JAA licence come with Part 1 General exam passes (I think 8 sections) ? If it does, you have overcome the first requirement for the holder of a FAA licence. You will still need to do Air Law, Type Technical written (unless already rated by JAA/CAA), company groundschool on type etc.
So, to answer your question, the JAA licence is more easily converted as there should be no need to do the Part 1 General papers. However, to refer to the regulations as "mutated/archaeic" will not assist you in any way.

[chock2chock]

Thanks Gooneyone. Possibly my choice of words was innapropriate for this scenario. I used 'mutated' because Airlaw is specific to the region and from what I understand, it is some form of the UK JARs (which has undergone some changes itself). By the way, I don't yet have a CPL.

[Gooneyone]

Good luck with your training. To get a feel for the Caribbean aviation scene, visit the following forum which is for Caribbean pilots:

http://www.caribbeanalpa.com/phpBB2/

[_FLYBYHAND_]

Don´t Know Why is that way.............

Experience with any licence in real life is more that a Non Experienced JAA licence ...... ( Speaking in Airline experience Terms )

But cause of the Pilot Crisis Around The world maybe and hopefully there will be a Convalidation without problem :ok:

Lets see how long can european airlines manage this mising pilot issue .......

[Gooneyone]

That's the way it is. Most Caribbean licences are based on the old CAA, new JAA requirements (remember we were almost all British colonies). The requirements are basically the same in terms of hours and approved training. The big difference lies in the required exams to be completed prior to licence issue.
I suppose once the FAA and JAA get their act together and issue a "universal" licence we will follow suit. Can't see it happening in my lifetime though.

[Young Pilot]

Gooneyone, I should soon be completing my flight training here in the US. My concern of course is returning to the region and finding a stable job within a reasonable amount of time. I know that getting the local exams done are the first part, however no one has been able to point me in a direction as to where I can get started on those as soon as possible. Is there any way you can assist me with this? I would greatly appreciate it.

[Gooneyone]

I'll send you a PM

[pablo2973]

Your FAA licence is perfectly OK , as well as my JAA licence, the problem is the burocracy of the goverments of those places and specially USA ´s which does no allowed any pilot without visa to be hire in USA ,I was in the same problem than you 12 years ago , I first earned my FAA licence , and tried to find a job in the caribbean ,which was imposible , so I had to convert into JAA ( something I was going to do anyway ,but hopefully with some more flight time ) you dont say if you are American in your post but if you are , why trying in the Caribbean area ?, you live in the biggest and one of the best aviation enviroments in the world, if you are not american get you JAA licence ASAP , the best one is the CAA UK licence .
thanks

[blueplume]

Having a JAA CPL or ATPL will stand you in good stead but the licence is not immediately interchangeable for a DCA (Directorate of Civil Aviation, Antigua) licence as the British islands are mostly Overseas Territories and therefore subject to the ANO (Overseas territories). Your JAA exams and licence, especially if completed and issued in the UK means that you do not have to sit the local exams again (these are based on the UK model but are fewer in number and a little reduced in content).
For instance, I had to sit a type rating exam for a BN-2 Islander (!) in 2000, pass a CPL/IR Flight Test which was every bit as demanding as in the UK before being issued a DCA CPL. The licence book itself is (was, in 2003) the old cardboard model with individual pages held together by a shoelace through the spine. It's all part of the game.....
The French islands are controlled by Paris direct. They are very protective and will make it hard for you to work if you just turn up with a JAA CPL from anywhere other than France. You will have to obtain a validation from the DGAC in Paris.
The Dutch Islands are also controlled by a local CAA. It's all about jumping through the hoops.
The FAA conversion question I can't give you an answer to but I think the others have. The point is that even if you have the licence you will not be able to work unless you are a US citizen or have a Green Card.
If you have a UK CPL go for the British Islands, it's a short conversion process and there are many positions out there. Go there, hitch rides all over and talk to them in person, that's how it works.