New pilot that needs advice/help (HK based)
 

(Unsure if i'm in the correct forum)

Need the collective wisdom of the community.

Pre-COVID I had the intention of joining CX through the second officer program which required a valid CPL MEIR with 250 experience etc. I am currently finishing these requirements in the USA, under the FAA.

With the COVID situation, s**t has hit the fan and the prospects of applying or finding a job is next to nil.

It’s clear to me I won’t be able to apply for at least a year(s), but I want to be productive. However I feel as if I’ve shot myself in the foot. Research has concluded that EASA is more widely accepted then the FAA. If I had trained for an EASA license, I would have already done the EASA ATPL (frozen) which only requires 250hrs, whereas FAA I believe doesn’t do frozen ATPL, I haven’t asked, but I assume HKCAD does not do Frozen ATPL either.

I am a HK resident, but also hold a British passport so it makes sense to expand my options by applying for the EASA and acquiring the frozen ATPL. When things blow over try to apply where I can. This option however costs money, more money then I’d hope to spend trying to achieve this dream.

Or go find a job, any job that involves flying and build up to 1500hrs and get an FAA ATPL.

Or just wait.

Any information I have wrong let me know, but more importantly any advice you can give me and to anyone else in a similar situation would be much appreciated.

In about 15 days you will find out whether you have really shot yourself in the foot, or have dodged a bullet.

Just hold your horses until the dust settles.

Are you able to stay in the US and do the 1 year work after training on the OPT program? You could work as an CFI. Many have followed this route before. That would at least put some valuable flight time in your logbook and let the dust settle from CoVID.

I wouldn't go getting an EASA license just yet. For starters the theory takes at least 6 months and the whole thing will costs over $15k USDs. The job scene for pilots in the UK is non existent and nobody knows when it will get better.

Just to be clear an EASA 'frozen atpl' is no higher licence than the FAA CPL they are both same level ICAO licences. EASA is recognised probably by more recruiters around the world.but costs at least double what you would pay for FAA.If you have already started down FAA route I would recommend doing an instructor rating after FAA CPL add an instrument rating and try and get some hours.Flight instructors teaching FAA syllabus are still being advertised in some Asian countries and recently I have seen a well paid one in Saudi Arabia,In a couple of years If you wish to convert to another ICAO licence like EASA you can and you will find experience gained a great advantage and put you ahead of other job hunters.I still do some instructing PPL level in the UK (My main position is airline flying) but I usually point my students down this route especially now with 1000's of experienced guys out of work.