Expert: D. Norkus - 8/30/2011

Question
Hi Dottie.

I am a 27 year old male from Denmark with CPL and ATPL theory and approximately 200 hours total time on different aircraft - mostly Pipers. I would like to know what you believe would be possible for me as a foreigner in USA? If I convert my JAA license to FAA license and get a visa that permits temporary working in USA, would it then be likely for me to get a job as pilot? Any chance for getting a job would be appreciated whether within general aviation or airline. Are 200 hours of experience generally enough or are more needed? Would I stand a chance against American educated pilots?
Spoken in short - could it benefit my further career within aviation to convert to FAA and travel to America in order to get a job and this way more experience?
I am really looking forward to your answer and would like to thank you in advance.

Best regards
Simon Schmidt

Answer
Simon

I won't 'sugar coat' it, I don't think it would work out until you gain more experience.

1) "If I convert my JAA license to FAA license and get a visa that permits temporary working in USA, would it then be likely for me to get a job as pilot? Any chance for getting a job would be appreciated whether within general aviation or airline. Are 200 hours of experience generally enough or are more needed?"

I would say definitely more hours are needed. In the USA 250 hours minimum is needed for a Commercial pilot certificate (other than under FAA Part 41 which is 195) and pilots here with twice that experience may not be getting hired. Those who are getting jobs with such low experience are coming through special programs like ATP Flight School Airline Career Program and must have 500 hours. There is also no such thing as a "frozen ATPL" in the USA, you either have the 1500TT or your don't- it matters not that you have taken the theory/written exam.

Plus you don't have an Employment Authorization Document yet. Getting the right to work isn't all that easy- especially if you don't have a job opportunity already. Airlines don't sponsor pilots here, so getting a work permit to be a pilot could be difficult.

2) "Would I stand a chance against American educated pilots?"

It not the education level that would affect your chances, it is the 200 hours flight experience that matters. In the USA, 200 hours isn't much considering many regional airlines want 500 - 1,000 flight hours to apply. Even many Piper or Cessna jobs like banner towing, skydivng and flight instruction require more than that just to reach insurance requirements. The days of getting hired at 200 hours are not as common as they were 10 years ago as one of the major aviation insurance carriers in the USA went out of business a few years ago and now more experience is required. Often flight schools will hire their former students with a fresh flight instructor certificate and low experience to instruct, but since you don't have an established history with a school it is difficult to say that such an opportunity would be available to you.

Visit these links for more career info-
http://www.pilotcareer.info
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com

Hope this helps,
Dottie