Dilemma
 

Hi,

I have a problem that has been bothering me a few days. My career objective is to work with in the asia region as an airline pilot hopefully CX=D hence I was advised to complete a JAA integrated ATPL. The issue is that 1. I am an Australian Citizen, 2. Isn't JAA for Europe/UK?. The minimum requirements these days are at least 1000TT with other compliments, so how would I be able to find a job as well as building hours.? Shouldn't I be doing an Australian license?

If you are looking at staying in OZ then you would have to look at doing a JAA and then doing a OZ validation . Be careful of dong the validation route , I think you cannot add to a validated licence

If you do not have (or have access to) a European passport then doing an integrated JAA course is a waste of time and money. If you want to work for CX why not apply for their cadet pilot program?

From what you've said, it sounds like you've not received good advice.

If you're an Australian citizen, doing your flying training in Australia, and looking at initial employment in Australia, then why would you be doing a JAA integrated ATPL?

Both Ab33t and Blown Seal raise excellent points.

If you're going to work in Australia for your first 1000 hours or so, then do what is required to reach that goal, rather than spending the time and money getting a qualification that wont allow you to get work here until you then do yet more training (conversion).

While it's good to have long term goals, you should also realise that your flying career is a journey in itself. Once you have 1000 hours you may have different ambitions.

DIVOSH!

I feel exactly the same way. I was told that JAA license is better for the asia region because it is more internationally recognised. But since I can't build my hours in EU ( no passport), whats the point having a JAA license right now?. Shouldn't I be getting a CASA license then convert after building my hours in AU?

Mate, it seems like you've answered your own questions. :ok:

Hopefully, you've not paid for any training yet. If I were you, I'd be getting advice from other training organisations.

Cheers,

DIVOSH!

Hey guys,

After almost 2hrs of discussion with the Chief Flying Instructor I am inclined to do the JAA course. The reason being in terms of cost, time as well as recognition.

1.JAA integrated ATPL(frozen) would be completed in the same timeframe as the Australian License (18 months).
2.JAA more recognised worldwide
3.Yes, I wont be able to hour build with the JAA however I am going to later convert to CASA.(cost 2k max)
4. Why? It brings me more options having a dual license hence more employable.
5. The hour building in Australia can still contribute in terms of a JAA license, i.e hours done in Au can still be recognised with a JAA license.
6. The cost would be more doing the other way around i.e CASA license then convert to JAA.
7. Finally I would only require 1 theory and 1 practical test to convert to CASA, but would take 14 written exams for JAA. Would take around 12 months for conversion.

Hence I am inclined to finish JAA then convert=D.

Your chief flying instructor is not being helpful. Remember, the CFI is thinking about his/her business as well...

You only need JAA in Europe. No where else. It's costly and time consuming. If you do not hold a European passport or can get a visa, then it is a complete waste of time.

If your CFI was being honest, it's the FAA licence that's recognised around the world - but don't go there! ;)

If Asia is your main goal, the CASA licence is the one to go for. You are an Australian citizen, looking to work (initially) in Australia on Australian reg aircraft.

I (and others here) know shed loads of Aussies working in Asia that used their CASA quals to get in.

Oh and as for career objectives? They change. :}

Also meant to add, you don't use a JAA licence in Asia, you convert your ICAO (eg CASA) to the local one. Usually Air Law etc and the company that's hired you sorts that out.

Deleterious

You have been fed a load of BS by your flying school. I work for CX and we employ pilots from all over the world. Infact the largest number of pilots is from Australia including myself. Almost all of us have converted our licences from a CASA licence to the HKCAD licence. Even though learning to fly in Australia is becoming more expensive all the time, it is still considerably cheaper than learning to fly in Europe. By using your head you can save considerable money in your training but one of the most important rules to remember is any advice received from someone with a vested interest should be taken with a grain of salt. Your CFI has a vested interest.

Listen to what the wise people are telling you lad, not what the person that wants your money is telling you.

If you still have doubts, go and get a second opinion, and a third one. In fact go and speak to as many CFIs as you can and get a range of views, and then you'll have enough information to make an informed decision of your own.

If you've visited flight schools at the various GAAP airports in the last few years, you'll find lots of student pilots from Asian countries doing the Australian CPL and IR. This includes pilots from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia; even Air Asia send some of their cadets to Australia and trains them for the Australian license. So whoever told you that JAA is widely accepted in Asian countries is telling you BS.

I know that the Malaysian DCA has just changed their syllabus to the JAA if that's what you're getting at, but Malaysians still end up with a Malaysian license; not a JAA one.

Thanks guys for your advice. Really appreciate it!. I will be doing the casa license. The course that is given only gives
me a total of 170hrs. What should I do next to hour build?

Work......

join the queue for a job with the rest of us champ... and i mean a job that you get paid for not one that you buy. f*ck.