Confused with JAA/FAA ?

[rahulras1993]

Hello All ,

I plan to start flight school in another year and I want to do a lot of research in finance and other stuff before I venture out to this beautiful career , I want to know what's best to start with a FAA or a JAA . I am Indian by origin , however born and raised in the middle east all my life and I don't mind working in either countries to get a start, but eventually I would maybe like to stay here in the Middle East as I have grown accustomed to this place.

I know India requires their own DGCA , while the middle east prefers the JAA , but to obtain a JAA its extremely expensive as you know so I am also looking into my budget .

If you could kindly let me know what I am about to go in for , and how many hours I require to start at an airline in India and the Gulf and what other stuff I should know about . I am currently pursuing my degree so I always have something to back me up incase I don't get a job as I graduate flight school. Also would you be kind to let me know about some flight school's you would recommend

I already know about Oxford Flying School, Flyaca and BasAir , what would you recommend from these? and others?

May the winds be calm with you always :ok: :O

Rahul

[avionimc]

I would suggest finding a good flight school in the US or in South Africa and work your way up from there.

* * * Private, multi-engine, commercial, instrument, etc. * * *

(Forget about JAA/EASA and avoid flight schools catering mainly to Indian and Chinese students).

Do not pay tuition in advance as many flight schools went bankrupt leaving student pilots dry with little training (if any), no pilot certificate and no money left. Pay as you go!

Find a good instructor (that is the most important). If you are not happy with the flight school (or instructor), change flight school and/or instructor!

Again, try to find an excellent instructor for basic training, then another one (probably at a different location) for instrument and multi-engine training.

Here are two links:

Algoa Flight Center (http://www.algoafc.co.za/flight-training/commercial-pilot/) : one of my young copilots learned to fly there, he is an excellent pilot and I was always very satisfied with his flying abilities and aviation knowledge.

ATP Flight School (http://www.atpflightschool.com/programs/) say, for Multi-engine and IFR. I understand it is an excellent and efficient school.

Good luck!

[babisiliop]

Defitely JAA license.
If you choose to get FAA for money reason,you will be limited of job offers.With FAA license you get 1 job out of 10.
As far as flight time requirements is almost the same whether you have JAA or FAA.

[LindbergB767]

JAA first
more jobs
but you can probably do a JAA in USA then do the FAA at the same time

[rahulras1993]

Dear avionimc,

Thanks for your reply, but why do you say avoid flight schools that cater to Indian students? and also thanks for the links.

Defitely JAA license.
If you choose to get FAA for money reason,you will be limited of job offers.With FAA license you get 1 job out of 10.
As far as flight time requirements is almost the same whether you have JAA or FAA. Thanks for your reply, but I don't understand why JAA would be more expensive since it involves less flying as compared to FAA as I am told?

JAA first
more jobs
but you can probably do a JAA in USA then do the FAA at the same time Thanks for your reply but that will just be more expensive wouldn't it ? But I have seen some school's giving both like flyaca.com

If I get an FAA , is it difficult to convert it to JAA and what about the Indian DGCA is it difficult to obtain?

:ok:

[Touch'n'oops]

I hold both ATPLs. JAA known now as EASA is my choice.

EASA and FAA have two different approaches to licensing pilots.

EASA set the bar high and focus on making sure all pilots are equipt with the knowledge for their career. Whether the pilot goes straight into flying single engine props or flying B747 (Of course upon completion of type rating).

The FAA has to manage the SUPPLY AND DEMAND of pilots for the vital air transport system in US. Regonial airlines need cheap pilots, so the bar is set low to ensure there are a large number of pilots available, thus salaries can be set extremely low.
To get the initial FAA license you cut it from the back of a cereal box. Then your career starts at the bottom and you advance from there. Steadily getting into bigger and bigger aircraft. Along the way airlines will provide classes to give you the knowledge to progress over time, now with squeezed budgets this is dying out.
Btw, I did the FAA after EASA and the knowledge exam for the ATPL was done and dusted in an afternoon. What a joke it was.

The EASA system has a high failure rate. As the cadet only has two shots at each exam then it is a 6 or 12 month block out period. FAA you just keep trying till you tick all the boxes or collect enough coupons.:}

Outside of America it is often the EASA license that wins over the FAA. Case in point, look at the job requirements of Turkish Airlines.

If you want to work in India, where your licnse is from has nothing to with whether you get the job. A India pilot friend says it is based on how many management pilots you can find to kiss ass with. Do remember to save for your license upgrade to ATPL. I believe the current mandatory bribe is 5 Lakhs.