I'm referring to, that an applicant needs to pass the ATP written exam, prior to the issue of an FAA ATPL (license) (multi engine).

The FAA ATPL written exam is a single exam, whilst the Australian ATPL written, is 7 separate exams.

A person can be offered a job with a regional, travel to the U.S and complete all the required airline sim training and check flight,
but the FAA ATP written exam, has to be passed, for the issue of an FAA ATPL (license).

I'm absolutely sure this correct!

Global Aviator,

Having an FAA ATP and air carrier experience is a real plus. And I'd guess your age is more of an asset than liability.

Since you have an FAA ticket, what kind of flying were you doing when you got it ? Did any of the time count under FAR 121.436 ? It would speed up your ability to hold a captain spot at a regional.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.436

The latest CommutAir advertisement posted today (Friday) on the afap website, seeking OZ pilots for the EMB145,
to commence type training in the next course.

It's interesting to note, there's additional information specified in relation to the E3 Visa requirements:

**CommutAir is now accepting applications from Australian pilots eligible for an E-3 Visa. E-3 Visa applicants must meet all hiring and Visa requirements prior to hire.

**E-3 Visa Applicant Requirements

• Must be an Australian national
• Must possess the necessary academic or other qualifying credentials (i.e. bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience)
• Must be at least 23 years of age

So, from the US Embassy in Canberra, this info re E3 qualifications. Are those E3s coming North, but without a 4 year degree, actually having to show 12 years aviation experience to qualify ? Is that the actual experience people are confronted with lately ?:

I do not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Can I apply for the E-3 visa based on my work experience?

• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(D), describes the kind and amount of experience which can be used to establish the equivalency of a university degree. As a guide, three years of professional experience may generally be used as a substitute for each year of university-level educatio. This means you would need to show 12 years experience in the field you are applying to work in. During their visa interviews, applicants for U.S. work visas should be prepared to provide documentation outlining their work history, education, and training. A consular officer will determine whether the
educational and employment information provided meets the eligibility requirements for a U.S. visa.

https://web.archive.org/web/20111028...ualifying.html

Just gotta make sure you meet the right "consular officer" and that they had a good weekend...

There has been somewhat of what seems to be a crackdown on this. Some consular workers are really easy to get by and others are not. I was lucky that I actually have a degree, but when I went they said "why are you applying for the E3 visa?"

"i have the relevant qualifications and a job offer from Skywest, would you like to see?"

"Your visa is approved, next!" without actually looking at everything.

I had many friends get in around the same time with no degree and none of them blinked an eye.

Correct. I did not mention this because it's almost like a non event. CTP does not prepare you for this exam. You need to get Sheppard air and study. If you follow their method and get below 90% on the test, which has 120 questions and needs 70% to pass, you get your $80 back. So yeah, they pretty much guarantee a pass. Good advice is to study before CTP, even do it in Aus, then just brush up during CTP. Once you have your CTP certificate you can book in and take the test. The is a place right across from the hotel where you can do it in Salt Lake.

Yeah, it's a joke. No stress of flight planning. Pretty much government enabled cheating due to the freedom of information act. Sheppard Air doesn't teach you the theory, but the answers to every question in the question bank. To come out the other side with a full ICAO ATPL is pretty nice.

You'll get in no worries, but just go to the bottom of the list and have to deal with less pay than what you/re probably used to. You need 1000 hours 121 time before you can upgrade.

I wondered if there might be some "variation" from one consulate to another. For those without a degree, do they actually have to have 12 years industry experience ? I wouldn't expect someone with 1500-2000 hours to have 12 years in the industry.

Can you count training years in the total time in industry ?

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but it's all well and good that companies are requiring you to hold a bachelors degree ... however, what they aren't stating it seems is that the degree has to be specific to the job you are applying for in the US. I'm going on my 5th E3 renewal in a non-flying aviation job, so I know a few things about the E3.

You can't just have any bachelors degree ... a degree in general business management, or arts etc etc will not pass with the consulate if you are going for a flying position. So in this case, you must have some kind of aviation degree. Granted it seems from this thread, some have been able to pass through the consulate interview either without a degree, or with a different degree, however I would be VERY careful. There is a very real chance that although you may pass the consulate interview and be given an E3, if you have given false information or they realize they have made a mistake in approving you, your E3 can be revoked very easily at any time. Not something you want happening if you have just signed a lease on a car or apartment, spent thousands of dollars setting yourself up in the US etc.

The USCIS and Department of Labor are constantly doing inspections of workplaces and of employees to ensure they are following the guidelines of their E3s (and all work visas for that matter), and will go through all your paperwork. Not something to screw with particularly with the current political climate.

Periodic lurker here, first poster. I have been following this thread for awhile with interest but feel compelled to add my 2 cents. Vee1 is quite correct, If you don't have a bachelors in aviation or the required years of industry experience in lieu of said degree then please be extra extra careful with this process guys! As mentioned above, it's a pretty dangerous game to play at the moment. I know for a fact that these E3 visas being granted for pilots (and possibly other industries) are starting to come under much more scrutiny by the consulates and likely other departments - as Mr/Ms Vee1 says, audits can and do happen. Interestingly, I believe I have even read a few people mention recruitment at a few airlines are starting to tighten the bolts a little too in the requirement for a degree or 12 years flying experience.

My understanding is airlines can file the paperwork for anyone to take to a consulate, but from my experience - also a number of renewals under my belt - its on you to be honest about your qualifications and if you actually meet the specific E3 requirements at the end of the day. It's really not a good idea to just hope you get an easy consulate staff member.

Gosh I hate being negative, be really great having more Aussies flying in the US but play it safe lads, you don't want be looking over your shoulder all the time wondering if your US adventure is coming to a premature end. Can be an extremely costly exercise!

Do you think the music is about to stop? It all seemed too good to be true! You never know what happens behind closed doors when beuracrats/diplomats talk....after being pressured by industry....... Yeah I believe in conspiracies.

LW,

Interesting and it raises another question or two:

(1) If an "aviation" degree is the only one meeting the criteria for an E3, does this put non-av degree holders in the same category as those with no degree at all, leaving time in the industry as the sole determining E3 criterion ?

(2) How is the "time in the industry" being calculated ? Paid, professional years only...training years + paid, working years ?

"...airlines can file the paperwork for anyone to take to a consulate..."...true enough. But it's the responsibility of the consulate to pass judgement on quals presented; applicants only have what they have. This looks like government makes the mistake...and YOU get punished for it. Yet another reason why the kakistocracy is never to be trusted.

Having E3s come here and fly has been a win-win deal. I automatically assume applicants have presented themselves honestly to a consulate. It'd be a shame to have this thing upended by actions of incompetent government cubicle droids but I won't be surprised if it is.

Anything is possible with a good legal team. Melania trump got a H1B visa.

I think the outcome of your E3 application is only as good as your immigration lawyer.

Legal arguments can twist anything you like.

I think Melania runs with much "faster horses" than lowly airline pilots.

Do people getting visas under the aegis of a US regional airline even have an immigration lawyer ?

I'm not an absolute expert by any means but my understanding is that if all procedures are being followed as written and as a number of consulate staff are now operating then: 1 - Correct, if no aviation degree, time in industry is what you need. (The staff member I saw last time and fairly recently was extremely thorough on seeing these items) And 2 - Time in industry is time you have been a paid, working commercial pilot. Which I know a number folks have had to start to back up with a letter of service on company letterhead from their respective former employers etc...

Professional Amateur - I don't think the music is anywhere near stopping thankfully. I just suspect there will now be a stronger emphasis on your actual qualifications in the future for applicants. There are certainly a huge amount more consulate rejections going on now for applicants than there was 6-12 month ago. But who knows, things change so quickly based on who's in office and what the current political climate is...unfortunately at the moment neither are too positive when it comes to immigration matters!

Yes they now do. The airline I'm at uses a subcontractor to do all this and the subcontractor engages an immigration attorney to get the paper work together. I'm in the process of renewing my E3 visa. Can't believe it's been two years since I got my initial E3 issued.

Correct ... but when the government makes the rules, they can change/break/do whatever they want with them as they see fit. Having read back through this thread about guys saying they got through the system without the stated requirements, it makes me shudder to think how risky that is.

1 thing I am vary wary of being over here in the US, is if you get a red mark on your record (whether it be your fault, the consulates fault for approving you when they shouldn't have) this can create all kinds of problems trying to get back over here on another work visa (even if all your ducks are in a row) or even as a tourist.

I wouldn't risk this as your backup ... I had to go and see an immigration attorney once for a small paperwork issue here, and I was quoted a couple thousand as they usually charge in a lump sum (instead of hourly).

If the company you're working for has an immigration attorney, all well and good but do you really think they are going to put this person to work on your case for an extended period of time if the issue is that complex ? Unless you have top gun skills and are 1-of-a-kind pilot, highly unlikely.

Bingo. Just be fully aware of the score before you jump head first in to the E3 swimming pool :) As previously mentioned - and I may have been one of the few, I was required to provide evidence of education AND industry experience last time before I was approved, as a number of other folks have too that I know of. It was far from one of these "10 second interviews" some have had some time back.

I know of one airline here that has taken use of a third party to prepare paperwork, not sure if it is same one DSJ mentioned...I can't say I know a lot about that mob but from the folks I know there who are in the process...it sounds like its not impressing them much and is far from a well oiled machine.

Immigration/visa laws and conditions in the US really need to be followed to the letter, they take it extremely seriously. Sadly it will be the applicant that is punished more than the person who approves the visa if happens to go pear shaped. You sure don't want to get on the bad side of Uncle Sam! Good luck to all though! Play it safe guys and gals.

Yep, they'll crush you like a bug...and think nothing of it. Sure hope this doesn't stop our Aussie cousins from migrating north. The regional need will continue.

post from September 2017
 

Reading back through the posts on this topic, i'd like to know whether the above assumption still applies or is correct?

Does flying training to CPL/I.R/ATPL theory subjects, still count as 2 years, of the so called "4 year degree?"

Meaning,if a person "doesn't have a degree", the 2 years flying training (counts as 2 years of a degree),and 6 years of employment as a pilot,
covers the remaining 2 years of a degree (3 years work experience equals 1 year of a degree).

These are the guys myself and LostWanderer are talking about above ....

Australian regionals are short, so why go to USA? Skywest USA paying around $37 per flight hour.

Australian regionals aren't short. Qlink get plenty of applicants every month. Any lack of line pilots in an Australian airline is due to lack of sims or training staff. Not pilots.

You joking right
 

Embraer 175 or CRJ 700/900 twin jet time flying in and out of the busiest airports in the world v REX or Sharp airlines on a $H!TTY metro or Saab 340

OKAAAAAAYYY......

Exactly the type of pilot who would benefit from the experience.

I've read an in depth news article today, from a US website called "aircraft pilot".
Apparently, the pilot shortage in the U.S regionals is starting to become so severe.

The U.S needs 3,600 new pilots a year now, and every year, MOSTLY in the regionals,
that figure will increase to over 4,000 new pilots needed per year, in 5 years time.

In 10 years time, up to 40% of current airline Captains will retire.
There is a current push, to increase the retirement age from 65 to 67, it appears, it's likely to happen.

Syria has restarted oil production so the prices will drop again soon.

Love how you omitted the CRJ 200!

The news article i was reading the other day on my phone, has been found and posted under the thread of "pilot shortage"(Aust &NZ section).
by Captain Curtain Twitcher.
It's interesting reading.

OK...I screwed up the link. Try this one. Anyone talk to Commutair recently ? They still have a page about E-3s:

E-3 Visa ? Home Page