UK passport holder aspiring pilot — should I go CAA or EASA if I want to eventually live/work in Europe?
Posted by luisjamesnelson@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Hi everyone,
I’m 20 and a UK passport holder currently planning my route into becoming a commercial pilot, but I’m stuck on choosing which licence system to go with and would really appreciate some honest advice from people in the industry.
My long-term goal is to eventually move and work permanently in Europe (ideally somewhere like Spain/Portugal/Greece). I don’t currently have any EU right to work.
I’ve been researching both routes:
•UK CAA training pathway
•EASA training pathway
From what I understand:
•CAA seems to align more with UK airlines (Jet2, TUI, BA, etc.)
•EASA seems to align more with European airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet EU ops, etc.)
But I’m getting mixed advice online about whether an EASA licence would actually limit my options as a UK passport holder without EU work rights.
My main questions are:
-
Which route gives me the most flexibility long-term?
-
Is it realistic to start EASA training as a UK citizen and still build a career in Europe later?
-
Would I be limiting myself too much by not going CAA first?
-
How difficult is it actually to get into EU airlines as a UK passport holder?
My goal is to avoid spending £100k+ on training and ending up stuck in a limited job market.
Any advice from pilots or people in training would be massively appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
space_rhinos@reddit
Trust me, I’m in a UK CAA program British passport holder etc. GO UK CAA you will not get a job in Europe with that passport. You can probably convert it a couple of years down the line. Just trust me. The UK job market is not limited. But I recommend getting onto an MPL course.
luisjamesnelson@reddit (OP)
How would it be possible for me to convert down the line? I thought this would only work if I got my first job in Ireland and worked there for 5 years to obtain my EU visa?
space_rhinos@reddit
Some companies can do internal conversions (this is a bit hear say) with less friction. However consider this, if you work with easyJet or whomever you will have great travel benefits and a damn good salary after a couple of years.
On top of that many people at easyjet have second homes they go to in Spain and Portugal whenever they have even 3 days off!
Some reports I’ve heard is that there are a couple of BA captains long haul that commute from Cape Town to work.
What I’m trying to say is living here or there will not make a difference. When you’re a pilot the world is your oyster more than any other profession. You will be gone a lot in different countries and by the end of your initial training I guarantee you will be extremely keen on getting HOME.
MrB10b@reddit
Are you aware of how Visas work?
luisjamesnelson@reddit (OP)
This is my research
MrB10b@reddit
Even if you had an EASA license, unless you have the right to work in the EU you cannot get a job.
Right to work is found by a company sponsoring your work visa (which no airline would do), or you having an EU passport.
clackerbag@reddit
As others have said, UK CAA.
The only people keeping this question alive are flight schools. There will always be a small number of jobs for UK nationals with an EASA licence but they are the exception rather than the norm. For a UK national with no dual nationality there is virtually no benefit to the additional work and financial outlay required to obtain dual licences.
oh_snap1013@reddit
Uhh how are you planning on getting right to live/work in the EU? If you don’t have an exact plan for that, then stop thinking about it and just go CAA. You won’t be hired to work in Europe with a UK passport (with some very rare exceptions) unless/until we rejoin (fingers crossed).
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hi everyone,
I’m 20 and a UK passport holder currently planning my route into becoming a commercial pilot, but I’m stuck on choosing which licence system to go with and would really appreciate some honest advice from people in the industry.
My long-term goal is to eventually move and work permanently in Europe (ideally somewhere like Spain/Portugal/Greece). I don’t currently have any EU right to work.
I’ve been researching both routes:
•UK CAA training pathway
•EASA training pathway
From what I understand:
•CAA seems to align more with UK airlines (Jet2, TUI, BA, etc.)
•EASA seems to align more with European airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet EU ops, etc.)
But I’m getting mixed advice online about whether an EASA licence would actually limit my options as a UK passport holder without EU work rights.
My main questions are:
Which route gives me the most flexibility long-term?
Is it realistic to start EASA training as a UK citizen and still build a career in Europe later?
Would I be limiting myself too much by not going CAA first?
How difficult is it actually to get into EU airlines as a UK passport holder?
My goal is to avoid spending £100k+ on training and ending up stuck in a limited job market.
Any advice from pilots or people in training would be massively appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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