Ditching the JAA way for the FAA way

[ATCNightmare]

OK - anyone got an opinion on why attempting the FAA way isnt a good idea??

I appreciate that there are conversions involved in the long run etc FAA - JAA but following a conversation with a friend who is contemplating doing just this, I am having trouble finding reasons why it might not be a good idea??

And as I am without training provider right now and still not too deep into the JAA way could this be a viable option or am I letting the idea of hotter climates and easier exams cloud my judgement!!!!

[Token Bird]

You are letting things cloud your judgement. The conversions required are horrendous and expensive (see the caa website) and you will save little, if any, money in the long run. It will also take you longer.

[Facts Not Fiction Pls]

I hear a little different -

I understand that based on a FAA Commercial licence with less than 800 hours this is true, however if you have spent some time Instructing to gain experience and have gained more than 800 hours, the CPL flight training course is at the discretion of the Head of Training. Of course there is no way around the CPL/ATPL writtens!

[scroggs]

ATCN,
I'd tell you, but you'd just heap abuse on me again

[Token Bird]

It's the IR that's the killer. I believe you have to retake the entire course - check out Flight Crew Licensing for more info. Only if you are able to stay in the US and gain lots of hours will you be exempt, it would seem.

[foghorn]

Getting the FAA CPL/ME but no IR and then convert over here is the cheapest way to go. It's not worth going any further in the US (or elsewhere) unless you can get a full ATPL/IR and 500 hours on a multi-crew type.

[ATCNightmare]

Abuse you Captain!!!

Ouch thats not very nice... must be that active IMAGINATION of yours playing tricks again....

I really would value your opinion on the matter as well you are more experienced than me........concerning aviation that is

[aztruck]

Been there dunnit. If you want to fly around cheap then go get yourself an FAA ticket, it mey also come in handy as a way of flying in Europe on N reg aircraft, especially with a US IR. multi time much cheaper over there, and if you become an instructor expect loads of hours and plenty of flying other people's aircraft at their expense when actual IFR grounds the Doctor's Bonanza.
All great fun, and if you can get actual European IFR experience as well so much the better.
Problems? There are several potential ones, but it depends on your personal situation and mindset whether you let yourself fall into the various pitfalls. Most of them have to do with the way that procedural flying is taught in the US, indeed lets extend that to the way that flying is taught in the US period. There are loads of ways to fly aeroplanes lets face it, but the requirements for the Cpl and IR over here are stringent in a different way to the US system. There are advantages in both systems, but I know several extremists on both sides of the Atlantic who swear blind that the people on the opposite side are accidents waiting to happen.
If you can accept a flexible approach then you'll have a lot of fun.

[scroggs]

OK, here's my penn'orth for anyone considering this option. It really depends on where you want to work for the majority of your career. For an EU national, an FAA license will only get you employment in the Far East and one or two other small (aviation-wise) areas, unless you have the right to live and work in the USA. As has been said above, the conversion from FAA to JAA ain't cheap and certainly won't save you any work.
You're probably better to plug on with the JAA stuff and, if you want to, get yourself an FAA license later - the conversion from JAA to FAA is much simpler and cheaper, especially when you have a few hours under your belt.
ATCN, we'll leave my imagination and your abuse out of this forum....