tj -
from what i've heard it is a major pain to convert to JAA. a short research resulted in this (from naples-air-center.com; note: i don't have any connections nor idea what and how this particular flight school does or doesn't do, just a result of a quick google search):
PPL to JAA
"In order to convert to a JAA Private Pilots Licence you will need to complete the following, all of which can be completed with Naples Air Center.
If you have less then 100 hrs total flight time:
- Attain a Class 2 JAA Medical Certificate (can be completed in the USA)
- Pass ALL 7 JAA Private Pilots Theory exams
- Pass the Radio Telephony operators practical test
- Pass the PPL Skills test (with training as required to learn the skills to do this)
If you have more than 100 hrs total flight time:
- Attain a Class 2 JAA Medical Certificate (can be completed in the USA)
- Pass the Human Performance & limitations, Air Law, and Radio Telephony JAA Private Pilots Theory exams
- Pass the Radio Telephony operators practical test
- Pass the PPL Skills test (with training as required to learn the skills to do this)
CPL to JAA CPL
To convert to a JAA Commercial Pilots Licence you need to:
- Attain a Class 1 JAA Medical examination (needed for flight test, attainable only in Europe); PLUS
- Undertake a course of tuition as determined by the Head of Training of an approved JAA Ground School and sit all 9 commercial level examinations (plus 7 Instrument rating exams should you wish to attain a Instrument rating); OR
- Undertake an approved groundschool course of tuition for the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams (14 of them and they cover, CPL, IR and ATPL) and Undertake flight training as required and determined by a Head of Training of an Approved CPL school; PLUS
- Attain a Flight radio telephony operators certificate
ATP to JAA ATPL
Option 1
- Hold 1500hrs of which 500hrs is in FAR25 or FAR23 certified multi crew aircraft, of which you need 250hrs in any aircraft type as PIC or 100 PIC under supervision
- Hold a medical class 1 JAA
- Pass ALL 14 ATPL exams
- Undertake training as recommended by a Approved schools Chief Ground Instructor (in other words you can do it quickly or over a long time, you have no requirement to sit through the 770 hr long course)
- Undertake a type rating course at a JAA approved training provider
- Complete a ATPL skills test with a United Kingdom CAA examiner
So in summary you can do it this way to get rid of the 770hr classroom requirement if you have the experience and do the type rating and flight test on a FAR25 or 23 type aircraft.
Option 2
If you hold 500 hrs multi crew experience on a FAR 25 /23 type, hold a type rating on that type, and will be doing your ATPL skills test on that type you are exempt from the Type rating course and doing any type of training for the ground examinations, you can simply just enter and sit them without any help, then go and do the skills test.
Option 3
Special terms for Pilots meeting the experience criteria below * have been agreed as an interim measure for the grant of the above licence until the Joint Aviation Authority have agreed appropriate new conversion terms.
*
A minimum of 3,000 hours as pilot of public transport aircraft over 30,000 kgs MTWA on scheduled international or similar routes, a minimum of 1,500 hours of which must have been as Pilot-in-Command.
The restriction to fly UK registered aircraft only, may be removed when the final terms have been agreed, subject to any additional requirements being completed.
To apply for a written assessment you will require a �JAR-FCL 680 pack�. The form enclosed in this pack should be fully completed and returned to this office together with a fee of �77.00, your actual logbooks and your non-UK licence with the validating medical certificate. This form may be downloaded from the web in the near future.
We endeavor to complete written assessment terms within the published turnaround time of 10 working days providing all supporting documentation has been submitted. At this point you may submit application for the required written examinations.
Option 3 is rarely used.
Option 4
Now of course you may not have any of the above requirements, then you will need to complete a Ground school course, undertake the examinations, and then complete the Commercial Skills test and complete a 15hr conversion course for a Instrument rating following by the Instrument rating skills test."
if you're europe-bound, it has great countries to live and work. good luck!
FF