Skip the CFI grind?
Posted by DRMWhibang@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments
To preface, no this is not the typical “how do I avoid CFI” posts. This is question regarding flying in the EU. If I hold a FAA CPL, but also have 2 EU passports and guaranteed housing there what’s stopping me from moving there, transferring my license, and finding a right seat turbine job. Then after I’ve gotten my hours up simply coming back to the US with my newfound right seat turbine time and finding a 135 job and continuing from there. Is there something totally absurd that I’m missing here? Or is it just super difficult/expensive to transfer your licenses.
Thanks!
ThunderSundayer@reddit
The people I know that did this was because they couldn't keep a visa to stay and work in the US, the EASA license grind was a little hell for them. They would have killed for that citizenship.
CryOfTheWind@reddit
I had a coworker try that. Worked the ramp together and he was studying the EASA ATPL exams for months every night shift.
They are much much more difficult than the TC/FAA exams.
Once he finished them all he tried to get work over there. Wasn't able to find a job and ended up back in Canada and did the normal instructor to small turbine to airline route here.
Bright side is he does now fly for a European company living his best life as an A320 captain. Not making US pay but his QoL is pretty awesome.
Numer0_6@reddit
Best answer. I'm a low time easa pilot and it's next to impossible to find a turbine job right after getting CPL IRME over here. Most people end up volunteering as an instructor to build time (at least in France). VOLUNTEERING being the key word. (The silver lining is that it's cheap the get a ppl when your instructor's not being paid)
Flimsy-Ad-858@reddit
You certainly could do it. That license conversion is a PITA, and you'll make about as much as a US CFI to be a "Second Officer" on a 737 not allowed to touch anything. And then you get to move across an ocean twice which is easier said than done.
Numer0_6@reddit
That is not how second officer position works over here. Regardless of pic or sic, your PF or PM. If PF, You're the one flying the plane. MCC course and SOP are very clear. The old days of FO doing nothing and captain doing as much as he wants are gone.
Skynet_lives@reddit
You have two problem with this plan (which your not the first to try) besides the expense and effort of licensing.
European airlines are hesitant to hire Americans because. Well they do what you are talking about doing.
When you get back to the States people will see you as “taking a shortcut” or unwilling to climb the established ladder and won’t want to hire you also.
Gabriel_Owners@reddit
The CFI grind is actually easier than moving across the Atlantic, transferring your certificates, and finding a low paying job in Europe.
Worried-Ebb-1699@reddit
Best advice.
Bonus points for actually having citizenship in said country
uktrucker1@reddit
the plan isn’t going to work, the airlines over here can see straight through you! they know once you get 1500 hours you’ll be out the door, plus the hassle of converting your certs over, no way of escaping the 13 ATPL exams
cptnpiccard@reddit
I don't know about transferring OUT of the US, but I can tell you that CPL doesn't transfer INTO the US. You can have a Private License that is foreign-based (as long as the other country is ICAO), but you cannot do that with a CPL. The only other thing that transfers is an ATP. Since this is all about ICAO, I would imagine it's just as impossible to have an EASA foreign-based commercial.
BandicootNo4431@reddit
I'm pretty sure that as exception is that a TC CPL will transfer.
LikenSlayer@reddit
Life lessons are the best Teacher. In theory sounds great. But you'll soon find out about the difficulty of transferring license, and exhausting process.
But life is all about the journey. It's better to try & regret. Than regret of not trying.
Keep us posted!
Necessary_Topic_1656@reddit
Nothing really just getting an EASA class I medical and getting your EASA ATP.
Get working on it if you have the right to work in the EU.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
To preface, no this is not the typical “how do I avoid CFI” posts. This is question regarding flying in the EU. If I hold a FAA CPL, but also have 2 EU passports and guaranteed housing there what’s stopping me from moving there, transferring my license, and finding a right seat turbine job. Then after I’ve gotten my hours up simply coming back to the US with my newfound right seat turbine time and finding a 135 job and continuing from there. Is there something totally absurd that I’m missing here? Or is it just super difficult/expensive to transfer your licenses.
Thanks!
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