ATPL Frozen In Asian Countries
 

I will explain this the best way I can

I was born in the UK, my mother is American, I can work in america or the UK, When I was 5 I moved from the UK to america, I got my PPL, IR, CPL, ME (FAA)by the time I was 25. Then I moved back to the UK, since then I have not done much flying or studying. But I have come into some money and would like to restart my aviation studies. I will be studying for my ATPL Frozen in the UK. So when I finish my ATPL I will have IR, CPL, ME < FAA and JAR ATPL frozen qualification. I would like to find a Job in South east Asia area, I have been there many times and I like the people and lifestyle. I have been told by a very experienced pilot there that any airline that will hire me usually will convert the FAA to their standards and take care of the paperwork.(is this mostly true?) Also, I would like to Confirm that the ATPL frozen is a valid qualification when it comes to employment in Asia, in a nutshell, what countries accept the ATPL frozen as a form of qualification. I appreciate any professional answers. Thank you

ATPL Frozen In Asian Countries
 

The ATPLf is simply pilot short hand for saying that you have CPL/IR/MCC. It is not recognised as a formal qualification.

You "unfreeze" your ATPL once you meet the minimum requirements for its initial award.

@piper which countries in particular were you looking at ?? because it has got a lot harder to find a job here without TR and some hours on the ac even if you have a frozen atpl

yes, I understand that.

Phillipines, Hongkong, Indonesia, India, To name a few, I understand getting the job is the hardest part, but you have to start somewhere, I would settle for even a very small commuter airline in these countries. Im not going to pack in all in just because its difficult.

ATPL Frozen In Asian Countries
 

Philippines and India you need to be citizen by birth
Indonesia will be the same in future but for now it needs 250 hours on type
HK/China prefer their own citizens even they take expat F/Os they will ask for some good 2/3k hours including time on type.
PS: they above are only for F/O req, expat captains are welcome almost everywhere.

The opportunities r immense but mostly for experienced pilots in asia.......by exp i mean experienced first officer's, captains ,tri,tre's.....now for ur exp its gonna be a long and extremely diff journey as every country prefer's it citizens especially for the post of an inexperienced first officer or entry level first officer.....Frozen ATPL will not give u an edge at this stage.....

I see a glimmer of hope only in Africa but ONLY few countries in Africa....gud luck.....

Indonesia has recently made it very difficult for foreigners as you now require a minimum of 250 hours on type, before you can work here. Furthermore, the licensing authority no longer issues licenses to foreigners which means you'll need to get a type rating on your home license and have it validated to work here.

It's generally quite difficult to get in to any entry level job in South East Asia as a low time foreigner. Most expat jobs require a lot of hours on type as entry level jobs are rightfully reserved for their own citizens. If you read the forum here, you'll find that there are literally thousands of CPL/IR graduates looking for their first elusive job in to the industry. Many are unemployed and any opportunities for low timers in places like Malaysia and India will go to their own citizens.

With your US connection, I suggest you try and get in to an entry level job in the US flying in the GA sector first. Build hours there and once you have around 1500 hours, then try for the regional airlines there. Aviation Job websites seem to have a proliferation of jobs in the US. Once you have significant airline or corporate jet experience, then you can try Asia as an expat contract pilot.

Im not one of these types of greedy pilots who are looking to just jump right into a A320., I know for my experience and others like me that is down right unrealistic. I would settle flying with a very small commuter airline anywhere in Asia or Europe to gain experience. Of course asia being the most sought. There is no way I will be going back to the U.S.

I've known a lot of expat folk with no experience getting work in the likes of Tiger (Singapore), Cebupac (Phils) and multiple airlines in (Indo). Most of the time need to pay for your Rating and accept local terms. Think Tiger, Sing is very hard to get in nowadays without experience.

As Dash8driver1312 said, all your fATPL means is that you have a CPL/IR/MCC and have passed the ATPL theory exams. You'll get a CPL/IR once you Convert/Validate your licence.

That used to be the case in Indonesia up until about 12 months ago. But now with the new ruling as I've mentioned above, it's impossible.

I'd say, as a foreigner, getting in to a commuter airline in Asia with just the bare minimums of a CPL/IR with ATPL subjects completed would be down right unrealistic in today's job climate.

I don't think you have a clear understanding of what you're in for, in this industry. Many pilots will take any opportunity they can get, just so that they can get a start in this industry. In Australia, young guys and girls fight over one another in the middle of nowhere just so they can fly tourists around in a C206 or C210 just to build hours and get a foot in the door of the industry. That's the sort of will and sacrifice that people make to get a start in the industry. With out that, you won't be getting far.

fully agree with training wheels. India you can forget about it as there are more than 8000 jobless pilot here looking for jobs and most have been jobless for years.

Thailand only accept their own citizens and you need to speak and write Thai. China only want captains as mention earlier and same goes to Indonesia with their rules to protect the locals.

Most of my mates have tried africa and they have increase min to 500 hours now and most of the time you will fly the c208b. It is for insurance purposes but then be careful with what the say, one min they say they offer you a job and next min it;s gone cause the other guy is willing to pay money.

To sum it up, with a cpl with frozen atpl, you can forget about getting a job in asia especially not being a local.

absolutely agree with training wheels....

Not trying to put you off but:

In Singapore there are 500+ CPL/IR/FATPL jobless girls and boys hanging around.And this is not counting the non-Singaporeans [Phil,Aust,Indian,Ukraine,Japanese,Syrian,etc,etc] also hanging around.

Most have exhausted their airline interviews and have been barred from attending anymore.

Be realistic eh..Watch the TV reality series on the Caravan drivers in Africa give you an idea of whats going on.

how about for a guy in with the following experience

850 hrs on 737NG .. current on type but last flight was 5 years ago
3300+ hrs total time
almost all of it single engine turbine

FAA atp with 737Ng rating
couple of ICAO CPL's

lion turned me down few months ago because i was not current. i just did my recurrent as part of completing my faa atp. i m hoping they accept me this time around.

any other operator i m missing ? especially regarding opportunities in Philippines or Thailand.

any info much appreciated. cheers !

Jet Lover, with those hours, an FAA ATP and 850 hours on type on the NG, why choose Indonesia? There are much better opportunities elsewhere. You meet the requirements of all the middle east carriers.

i tried many of them from middle east and also Turkish recently. unfortunately there r two usual reasons to b declined

* some of them, like Turkish for instance, require being actively flying on type or above 20 ton aircraft in the last 6 months. my last flight on jet was 5 years ago. :{

* or the 1000 jet time requirement attached with most recruitment ads. other than that 850 hrs, all my time is single engine turbo prop.

i m doing everything i can to get back to airline job and get at least couple of hundred hours to open me some doors. right now, Lion seems to b my best bet. i m gonna apply again soon...hopefully doing my recurrent will change things