FAA for UK/EU citizen? Barmy or not?
 

Rudestuff started a reply on another thread with - There are definitely some savings to be made in the US if you know how to play the system.

I am researching the best route to CPL for GA, not airlines. I am a dual national, UK/EU but ironically don't really want to live and fly in either in the long term. My original idea was to go the FAA route but then realised the hours/visa issue if going the modular route in the USA so unable to gain hours instructing, banner towing etc. Even working for for charities etc want more than the basic 2-250 hours so that's out.

I was wondering how/if the system can be used to build hours outside of the USA with a FAA license with approx 250 hours expected? Paid, not hiring.

I pilot friend of mine thought the jobs in Africa roles would be just the ticket, but reading up, that's outdated now as they recruit locally first.
Susi Air I've reached out to but no reply and not surprised either. I was just wanting to know if they still do allow applications from low hour pilots at this present time.

Plan B is the EASA route. I've been looking at Fly in Spain, EPT Spain which means having to do the ATPL modules, also I believe slightly more demanding medicals (always a concern as we grow older each day) but I could likely find employment instructing to build those hours.

Ultimately I would aim to live and work in either SE Asia or Middle East as I spend half of my time there already. If I could find an FAA path, then I have accommodation at my friends house in Florida, the same pilot friend who is a CFI also, so great source of knowledge.

Thanks to you all.

Whoops. What have I started?

With low hours you are limited to working in the state of licence issue. A low time EASA pilot is really only going to find employment in Europe and a low time FAA like is really only going to find work in the US. There are of course a few exceptions in bush flying type jobs. Once you have 2000 jet hours then the Middle East and Asia starts to open up.

The US is one of the cheapest places to fly, and if you plan it correctly you can get a visa which will allow you to work as a flight instructor for 2-4 years. The downside is you won't get into a jet with less than 1500 hours, and you won't get into one at all without permanent residency, which means you'll come home with hours but no jet time which isn't always a good thing. If you want to fly a jet with 200 hours then you need to stay in Europe, but you might be waiting anywhere from 1 month to never to get that opportunity.

US: Fast and slightly cheaper training
Plenty of opportunities to build piston hours
Few to no jet opportunities

EU: Slow and expensive training
Few opportunities to build piston hours
Can go straight to a jet, but competitive.

The good news is that all EASA modular routes start with a PPL (which can come from anywhere) so there's nothing stopping you from spending 4-6 weeks in the US getting an FAA Pvt in the sunshine. Then you can make a decision.

Well Mr R.Stuff, thank you for your reply.

I've been sat on this a while hence the delay. Getting a visa is the biggest issue I believe and short of setting up a business in the USA, meaning employing people to create job to build hours, I think I would be limited to green card lottery. Yes I could apply for the integrated route, but that isn't for me at my age.

I am ex-military, more suited to wearing cargo pants than suits, prefer living in a tent than hotel, showers being great when you can get them kind of person. So my GA theory was more bush, island flying or float flying. You mentioned jets but I don't think I would really be looking for that.

I live in the sunshine, Greece in European summer and Asia in their summer. However it would be great to catch up with an old friend for a couple of months in Florida. Talk about 1st world problems!

ATB

They issue student visas for those doing commercial flight training, and you're generally allowed to work teach as a CFI.