FAA or JAA or both?

[atomheart]

Hi Guys and Girls,

I am another one of these career changers at the age of 36,
just quit my job and will tour some schools in the US next week.


Although being a EU citizen, most of my life ( for 15 years )
i prefered to stay and work abroad in countries like
South America or Asia, and planning on following that track as
a pilot as well ( if possible ). The weather in Europe and the
attitude of many people sucks.

I think once i have finished all my ratings i will try on
instructing in the States on a J-1 visa to built up my hours.

But by then I will be far to old to get employed by the majors
in Europe.

So my questions is:
What kind of licenses am i supposed to do?

Just the FAA, because I do not want to be in the EU anyway?
( no, I do not have a green card )

Do the FAA + JAA ratings to be able to work in the EU as well?
( most expensive, time consuming and hardest way )

Just do the JAA route because the EU is the only place where
I am allowed to stay and work anyway?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

atomheart

[johnnypick]

I've gone the both route, I've already got an FAA CPL/IR and I'm half way through the JAR theory mine field. If you decide to do the JAR stuff, by the time you've finished the FAA CPL/IR, you've done all the flying hours required, including x country, qualifying x country, night, instrument. All cheaper than just hour building in the UK. When you start the JAR flying courses, you don't have to do the full 25 hour CPL course, it's down to the discretion of the FTO. And the IR course has gone from 55 hours, to a minimum of 15 hours.