Employment Possibilities in Shanghai

[api]

So...
i finished 7 years of military service as a Helicopter pilot (AH-1) so i could accompany my spouse's job relocation to Shanghai. just before doing so, i validated my hours and did some tests so i now hold a ICAO cpl license.

fresh and clueless after just leaving the army, iv'e always heard how great is Chinas need for new and preferably foreign pilots.

well, i have two questions for this honorable forum:

1. any idea where an ex-helicopter pilot could find a job in the vicinity of Shanghai?

2. if the answer to #1 is negative, then where, how and when can i get some more training as to become an airline pilot? will i have to spend all my savings to do so? are there companies with cadet programs?

any idea or suggestion would be greatly welcomed. even a "no" is an answer.
and i do apologize if i'm in the wrong place to ask these kinda questions.
thanks in advance...

[Bealzebub]

i now hold a ICAO cpl license.

Unlikely, as there is no such thing. You will have a licence issued by an ICAO member state, or a supranational authority comprising a number of ICAO member states. Validation or conversion to another states requirements will depend on the specific requirements of that state.

[api]

have a licence issued by an ICAO member state

Exactlly

So once we got that clear, hope you can help.

[SloppyJoe]

iv'e always heard how great is Chinas need for new and preferably foreign pilots.

They would prefer Chinese pilots. The problem they have is they do not have enough experienced pilots of aircraft like the A320 or 737 so have to hire foreign guys to be Captains.

Honestly don't know about helicopters but as they have a large number of ex military helicopter pilots and not that many civil helicopters I doubt the shortage is the same.

If you convert to a fixed wing license you will not be able to get a job in China as you have no relevant experience in their eyes, you have no command time in an Airbus or Boeing. They will see you as an unrated inexperienced pilot and may as well train a local to do the job if they are going to do the type training for someone to be a first officer.

[nicholasblonde]

I would imagine your best option would be looking into corporate helo ops--then maybe leverage into fixed wing in-house.

Also might consider Cathay SO (are they still doing that?)

My instincts tell me this would be easier if your wifey was in Hong Kong/Macau, but such is life as they say