Another Aussie wanting to come to the USA
 

Hey all,

I was just interested if anyone had any information in regards to transferring my CPL(A) to a FAA. I do know that I would have to convert my licence. So I will be interested in finding out where be the best places to do my training would be. I will be in the region in about the October and November of this year to have a look around and just visit some friends. Also what is the job front like over there?

Cheers

California is probably the best place. More airplanes there than any other state in the US. More airplanes in California than in any other country in the world too.
More importantly, the weather is good so you can fly when you want to. If not, Arizona, Florida.

Job situation seems to be picking up a bit but still lots of pilots and lousy pay at the regionals.
Seems like 1000 TT and 100ME is the point that you become interesting to them.

Air inc is the best source for who is hiring and what experience the new hires have 9and how little they pay). They also run job fairs where you can meet recruiters. http://www.jet-jobs.com/navigationpa...ationpage.html

G-Day
 

Hey there,
I did the same thing 9 years ago. My advice would be to avoid flight schools that are in or near very busy airports. I did my conversion from a CPL to a ATPL at Boeing Field in Seattle. The amount of radio chatter was something that took some getting used to. Things are done a little differently here, at least from what I was accustomed to. The controllers can lose patience quickly if they are swamped so it can add unnecessary pressure.
The regional airline outlook is quite good, with lots hiring. Unfortunately, there are a lot of pilots with lots of experience trying to work a foot in the door at the larger airlines, so competition is quite intense, and several airlines won't look at you unless you were referred. So it really depends what position on the field you are looking for.
Also, another obstacle I faced was that a very large percentage of the pilots here have a degree (doesn't really matter what it's in) and most airlines look for at least 2 years of college. When I was flying in Oz, almost none of the pilots I new had college degrees. It wasn't common. So, in order to be competitive here, you might need to do some more school if you don't have any beyond year 12.
Here is one site you can check out if you haven't seen it. It'll give you an idea.
www.atpflightschool.com
Also, Air. Inc, as previously mentioned can help.
Expect to go through the wringer to train and fly here because of the increased security, especially with foreigners learning to fly. Even after flying with the same airline for 6 years, when they sent me to Airbus training in Miami recently, I had to get fingerprinted....again, back-ground checks....again, along with a bunch of other hoops to leap through (many of which I had been through after Sept. 11). Just thought you should know.
www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/
Hope that helps, and let me know if I can help in any way.

FLYAPALOOZA.

What part of the states are you going to?? I'm going to be in Seattle and Portland during november/december myself.

Are you flying atm, if so who for?

Thinking of the FAA conversion myself.

PM me if you feel.

V
:ok:

California is the busyest area in the world
 

I think you should go to Van Nuys, California or Santa Monica Airport wich is next to LAX. They have a lot of schools and the training is really good due to the extensive facilities,air traffic and airports in the area. For example: You can take off from Van Nuys and shut an ILS, execute a missed approach go to Camarillo shut another ILS, missed go to Santa Monica shut an LDA or VOR approach or go to Long Beach and then go ( Burbank is also a good airport to go too) back to base. You may be able to do all this in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.Great training I assure you will be super busy handleing radios changing freqs talking practicing procedures etc... the flying part is easy.
good luck :ok: [email protected]