How impossibly hard is it for an American to fly airlines in Europe?

[WestHouston]

I'm sure with the EU and all, it's pretty hard to move to Europe and fly, but does anyone know if you can and what you would need to do? My wife and I are entertaining the idea of living in Europe for a few years. I'd love to live in Bavaria and fly out of Munich. Do they need pilots in Europe right now? What about non-airline flying? Cargo, part 135 (or whatever they call it there)? Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[PunchTheClown]

Best of luck, they dont tend to hire americans at all even though we are more then willing to give them our jobs. But, in the past 6 years our countrys best industry has been outsourcing all of our jobs. . . thanks george.

 

[Wiggums]

The hardest part is going to be getting a JAA certificate, if you wish to fly JAA registered aircraft. Then you will need to obtain the right to work in the EU.

 

[SKC]

We have a deal that after the winter season, our leased aircraft (737-800) go back to Futura in Spain. Along with them, quite a few pilots go as well. They'll fly in Europe for Futura from April until November when it's time to return the aircraft to the US and our seasonal trips.

Their families typically ride over and back on the ferry flights. So, you could do 5 months stateside and 7 months in Europe without all the hassles of trying to do it all yourself.

 

[fxbat]

I am in the same boat. (6/6) I love flying out of the UK. I do plan to do my 14 JAA writtens and checkride with the CAA. But with out the right to work in the EU it will never be a full time thing. (If only I was an uneducated polish dishwasher)

 

[fxbat]

SKC who are you a dispatcher for? I onley know 1 sup 121 outfit that has 737-800s

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Many European airlines train thier pilots through ab-initio programs. This basically meansthat they take selected candidates and run them through a structured program that leads many times to the right seat of a large jet as an FO with only a few hundred hours. Also, the requirements for a JAA are much more stringent and a little more difficult compare to the FAA certification process.

 

[askdanny]

There are many American expats working for low-cost Ryan Air. Pilots only have FAA licenses and Ryan takes care of their conversion. Ryan Air has bases all over Europe. I see them interview pilots at the hotel where we stay in London. Pay is around $6000 a month for F/O.

 

[ReportCanoa]

There are many American expats working for low-cost Ryan Air. Pilots only have FAA licenses and Ryan takes care of their conversion. Ryan Air has bases all over Europe. I see them interview pilots at the hotel where we stay in London. Pay is around $6000 a month for F/O.

Wrong. Ryanair requires a JAA ATPL. Ryaniar does not "take care" of anyone's conversion or work visa. If you want to work at a base in Europe, you need an EU passport. Ryanair takes care of nothing, and your pay will be based on what you can negotiate. You may be considered as a direct-entry FO or Captain if you have 737 time, but otherwise you're paying for your type rating at one of their chosen schools, and that will set you back about 30,000 US. And the 14 exams are virutally impossible to pass without a lot of study. Good luck.

 

[askdanny]

I stand corrected. They were interviewing and offering position to guys with only FAA licenses. (They tried to get some of our guys to work for them). I assumed they did the rest, but I guess the job offer was based on the candidate completing the conversion. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[SKC]

fxbat, I'm with Ryan Intl (not to be confused with Ryanair of Ireland). The -800s I speak of are owned by Futura (even though many carry Ryan/US registrations), and we sub-lease them during the winter season. We've also periodically picked up seasonal aircraft from Thomas Cook, Aer Lingus, and a few other European carriers.

 

[Say Again Over]

Just marry a Brit and take all the tests!

 

[WestHouston]

Hmm, sounds about like I figured... near impossible. Thanks!

 

[Kenny]

Wrong. Ryanair requires a JAA ATPL. Ryaniar does not "take care" of anyone's conversion or work visa. If you want to work at a base in Europe, you need an EU passport. Ryanair takes care of nothing, and your pay will be based on what you can negotiate. You may be considered as a direct-entry FO or Captain if you have 737 time, but otherwise you're paying for your type rating at one of their chosen schools, and that will set you back about 30,000 US. And the 14 exams are virutally impossible to pass without a lot of study. Good luck.

Actually, that's almost completely off the mark. I've just got off the phone with the contract agency that deals with Ryanair. IF you have the right to live and work in the EU, pass the interview and are willing to shell out the 23K Euros for the type, Ryanair will give you an Irish validation of your FAA ATP. It's valid for one year, during which time you are expected to get the JAR exams and flight training done. Because of the lack of FO's with the required 3000 hours, they are desperate for Captains and once you have the JAA license, they'll upgrade you.

But, you are right about the exams, they're a b!tch.

 

[fxbat]

SKC…

Futura
Check your tail skids and bulk heads when the airplanes come home.
“”Tail strike out of LBA with an emergency return today. This is the second time in a week that the airline has had to make an emergency landing at LBA.
After inspection by mechanics, the aircraft departed with passengers at around 18:00.””

 

[SKC]

Any chance of a tail #?

 

[fxbat]

No sorry, but you might be able to catch them on the FDM. Also check ASR/GOR reports there should be one for declaring an emergency.

 

[WestHouston]

So, looks like an instument student shouldn't concern themselves with the possiblity of doing any of this for about 100 years. Crap.