having us and russian passports?
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having us and russian passports?
not sure if this is the right place to ask but would holding both us and russian passports give me an advantage in finding pilot gigs? Curious about everyone's opinion. Thanks
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Can you speak Russian?
As you're US based then Visas aren't difficult to get for Russia. So unless you're thinking of being based in Russia, then it may not necessarily give you an edge.
What will give you an edge in Russia is an appropriate type rating, experience and the usual connections.
Many European operators have aircraft based in Russia for Russian owners.
As you're US based then Visas aren't difficult to get for Russia. So unless you're thinking of being based in Russia, then it may not necessarily give you an edge.
What will give you an edge in Russia is an appropriate type rating, experience and the usual connections.
Many European operators have aircraft based in Russia for Russian owners.
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There is a shortage of pilots in Russia (I presume you're talking about the current Russia, rather than satellites that broke away). However, I understand that you can't fly a Russian aircraft without a Russian licence (as opposed to Russian nationality).
The Russian passport definitely helps, again my understanding is that visas can be a pain (for expat engineers I know who worked there, it gets VERY difficult after 3 months working there). It's easier for engineers as many of the aircraft on lease in Russia have EU tail reg numbers with lease stipulations that the aircraft be maintained and signed off by EASA licences.
As far as I know, you can't convert your flying licence or have it validated as an experienced pilot in order to fly Russian aircraft. That has changed in some Russian satellite countries who claimed they would validate foreign licences, but the air law exam was still in Russian!
No doubt you would also be paid buttons to fly in Russia as a fresh pilot even if you had a Russian licence. So, my understanding is that you have an advantage in that you have a passport and speak, read and write the language in a market that is short of pilots. That won't get you where you want to be, though, and you need to figure out how to get the licence. I am told there are active Russian pilot forums on the net, and you have the language, so off you go.
The Russian passport definitely helps, again my understanding is that visas can be a pain (for expat engineers I know who worked there, it gets VERY difficult after 3 months working there). It's easier for engineers as many of the aircraft on lease in Russia have EU tail reg numbers with lease stipulations that the aircraft be maintained and signed off by EASA licences.
As far as I know, you can't convert your flying licence or have it validated as an experienced pilot in order to fly Russian aircraft. That has changed in some Russian satellite countries who claimed they would validate foreign licences, but the air law exam was still in Russian!
No doubt you would also be paid buttons to fly in Russia as a fresh pilot even if you had a Russian licence. So, my understanding is that you have an advantage in that you have a passport and speak, read and write the language in a market that is short of pilots. That won't get you where you want to be, though, and you need to figure out how to get the licence. I am told there are active Russian pilot forums on the net, and you have the language, so off you go.
Last edited by bear11; 30th Nov 2010 at 16:40.
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Well, there are a lot of rumors about license validation in Russia.
All I can say is that it is possible; you have to find the job first though. The airline will then ask the appropriate authority to validate your license.
BTW, the post-tax income of the FOs in major airlines starts from around 5500$/month.
All I can say is that it is possible; you have to find the job first though. The airline will then ask the appropriate authority to validate your license.
BTW, the post-tax income of the FOs in major airlines starts from around 5500$/month.
Last edited by berlinxpress; 1st Dec 2010 at 18:44.
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Pure protectionism, I guess! There does seem to be a huge differential between pay levels flying out of Moscow and other bases, but I suppose that wouldn't matter to most expats who would want Moscow base in any case if they can get a validation. There are compensations to working out in the boonies - I met some expat engineers who worked on RJs in a place no-one ever heard of, and they were, ahem, popular with the local talent.
Of course, there are a considerable number of expats working happily there on VIP jets with N reg or JAA reg, their roster pattern would be much nicer than working on scheduled stuff, though. Even though some of the more commercial metal would have non-Russian tail reg like Irish, there is no way rostering guys would want to be told "you can only use these pilots for those aircraft".
I suspect when it does happen it will a) be an inevitable mess for a while, b) no F/Os allowed, only experienced PICs, c) a bureaucratic nightmare with visas, validations, medicals, paperwork etc, and d) no doubt rostering will look at you like you have a hole in your head when you ask for 2 weeks off to go home and see your family. The usual expat contractor stuff, in other words! And no doubt there will also be some witless individual on the thread shortly telling us that we should ask for 10,000 Dollars a week as there is a shortage and they should pay the going rate, plus we should force them to take F/Os with no hours despite their own people not being allowed to work in other markets.
Of course, there are a considerable number of expats working happily there on VIP jets with N reg or JAA reg, their roster pattern would be much nicer than working on scheduled stuff, though. Even though some of the more commercial metal would have non-Russian tail reg like Irish, there is no way rostering guys would want to be told "you can only use these pilots for those aircraft".
I suspect when it does happen it will a) be an inevitable mess for a while, b) no F/Os allowed, only experienced PICs, c) a bureaucratic nightmare with visas, validations, medicals, paperwork etc, and d) no doubt rostering will look at you like you have a hole in your head when you ask for 2 weeks off to go home and see your family. The usual expat contractor stuff, in other words! And no doubt there will also be some witless individual on the thread shortly telling us that we should ask for 10,000 Dollars a week as there is a shortage and they should pay the going rate, plus we should force them to take F/Os with no hours despite their own people not being allowed to work in other markets.
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@bear u forgot to mention one important russian tradition: kickbacks and bribes. @berlin in russia flying still has some glamour left in it. Many people dress nice for flights
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No licence validation required since most business jets and private aircraft in russia are either on a JAA or FAA registration, flown by a mixture of russian and commuting western pilots. Crew visas are obtained with ease on arrival, so no problems there, english also spoken by ground handlers in lots of places.
As for the passport, I don't think Russia accepts dual citizenship so you would be forced to rip up your US passport for nothing......
oh and stop trolling!
As for the passport, I don't think Russia accepts dual citizenship so you would be forced to rip up your US passport for nothing......
oh and stop trolling!
