FAA Verse JAA Do Both ??? Give yourself the best chance possible !!!

[captainvampire]

I know I am going to get hammered :ouch: with this thread but, if I can make the difference between someone getting a job in this industry and not I will feel the retaliation will be worth it.

Like so many wannabes years ago I was trying to do my homework and find the best and quickest route to becoming a professional pilot.
I spoke to friends in the industry and took as much advise as possible, (as I’m sure you are all doing)

So 15 years later this is the conclusion I have come to, argue it if you want it is only my opinion.
If I were to do it all over again I would not even bother with the JAA PPL (7 written Exams) you do not need a JAA PPL to take your JAA CPL Skills Test.

So that been said I would have gone straight to the states and done my FAA PPL (1 Written) Multi, CPL (1 Written) and IR (1 Written) , either instructed or do an airline program to get to 200 or 300 hours. This can be done in about 6 months. Some schools will take you on to work for them after you get your licences so you can do this, it can be done on the M1 visa.

Then I would have gone back to the UK and done the ATPL written’s and when they are complete you would already have the requirements to take your ICAO(FAA) PPL/CPL with the written exams to a school there and get your JAA CPL and JAA IR training as required.

I have never been asked in 15 years by any airline or charter company ive worked for where I went to school to do my written’s for the ATPL’s !!!
When ever I have had an interview if your personality fits you will be given a sim check and the true test of your flying ability will be assessed there.

So not to ramble on to much but I just wish some one had told me how to get both tickets FAA and JAA when I started this venture as a couple of times I have had jobs flying N reg aircraft overseas and had to go and do my FAA licenses. I think I remember reading somewhere that out of 11000 business jets in the world 9000 of them are on the (FAA) N reg, just go and park up at Farnborough for an afternoon and have a count.

If I have caused any confusion please ignore my comments, but if I have helped anyone in their career path that’s great.

Good Luck

[cyrilroy21]

A little off topic here but i need to ask the question

Some schools will take you on to work for them after you get your licences so you can do this, it can be done on the M1 visa.

Do you happen to know how this works ?

As far as my knowledge goes you are not allowed to work on an M-1 visa.
Could you clear that for me ?

[captainvampire]

You will have to ask the school you go to but I believe you can work in the industry your studying in for one month for every four that youve been studying.

I got the following off the SEVIS web site.


Optional Practical Training for M-1 Students

OPT is the only type of employment available to M-1 students. The guidelines are very specific.

M-1 Student OPT Guidelines
OPT can take place only after the student has completed his or her course of study (post-completion). Recommendations for OPT authorization must be entered into SEVIS within 90 days of the student’s program end date.

Total time in OPT cannot exceed one month for every four months in the SEVIS program and the total time in OPT cannot exceed six months. After the OPT end date, the student has a 30-day grace period in which to leave the United States.

[cyrilroy21]

Thanks for the info
:ok:

[captainvampire]

Sure but if your in Port Orange Florida, you probabley dont need an M1 ?
:hmm: