Expert: D. Norkus - 7/5/2006

Question
Hello again.i recently asked u about aquiring J.a.a liscnece,as a U.S. citizen for purpose of working abroad. I was wondering if u have heard of a school in California by the name of 'Rainbow Air'? i was lookn over thr  J.a.a programs and was curious about there reputation?being that i only have my PPL and none more than 63 hours,is it wise to start such a big program at once? should i just finish all my FAA liscence and worry bout the J.a.a at a later date? or is there any other schools that have programs including J.a.a liscecing that u know of that could put me closer to my dreams thedate?
Thanks,jb
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Followup To

Question -
hello. i am a private pilot with a D.W.I and im about to start training with A.T.P flight schools.is it wise to continue with training given the prior DWI?how will this affect my career?i was really hoping to fly commercial abroad, particuly live in london and fly throughout Europe?will this make my chances bettr or am i already doomed i just turned 25.
thanxs for ur much needed input.       JB





Answer -
JB

There have been people hired with DUIs on their records. However, with the pilot job market being extremely competitive, it is obviously preferrable to have a clean driving record. (Airlines also check your credit history!) I have known 2 people who got hired after a stint at ATP, but they didn't have DUIs.

In an airline interview, you really need to show that you have been responsible and that it was a youthful mistake. Be straight forward about it and talk about what you learned from the experience. Hopefully, you have had a clean record since then and will continue to be violation free until you interview to show it was a one time mistake. Other tickets will not show interviewers that you have learned anything or are now more responsible than the kid who got the DUI.

Such a past indescretion can be overcome, if you can show that you are no longer the same person who was so irresponsible but now a responsible, very qualified pilot with good judgement who sits in front of the interview team.

I suggest going to the pilot forums at http://flightinfo.com and search for "DUI" or similar terms. There are literally  dozen and dozens of threads on pilots with DUIs trying to get hired and asking for advice on their forum archives.

"i was really hoping to fly commercial abroad, [particularly] live in london and fly throughout Europe"

As far as that goes, you will need JAA licesnses & certifications, plus the work permit to gain employment with a foreign carrier. That will not come cheap, nor will it be easy to obtain. It seems to be no easy task for Americans to gain pilot jobs abroad, especially without substantial flight experience in jets. Go to this message forums to ask or research such flying as an American pilot-
http://www.pprune.com

Dottie

Answer
JB

Sorry, but an an American airline pilot flying in the USA I don't know much about JAA programs or anything about "Rainbow Air". I believe they are a school based at LGB, and actress Angelina Jolie got her JAA there, but that is about it.

Here are two others in SoCal I know of to compare, but have no experience with-
http://www.ukft.com/
http://www.flyaaa.com

As a very new pilot, I caution you against throwing substantial sums of money into a flight program so you can fly in Europe. At this stage in your flight training, you only think you will like to do this as a career. I always stress to new pilots they should get their PPL & Instrument first, then make a career decision. All too often what an aspiring pilot imagines airline life to be like and what it actually is are two very different things. Unfortunately, I have known several people who sunk substantial sums of money into training and this new career only to leave after a few scant years as they were not "living the dream" and found the lifestyle to be something less than what they expected.

Regarding flying in Europe, obviously you will need a JAA license, but more importantly to work for a European airline you must have a work permit for the country you will be employed within. You can have a JAA license but it will not matter unless you have the right to work as you can't be hired with out that.

Again, you may be putting the cart before the horse here. You should investigate the feasibility of obtaining a work permit before you do anything else! Generally airlines do NOT sponsor foreigners to get work permits, so a JAA license won't be of any use to you unless you can get the right to work. Perhaps you have a dual passport or some other connection that you didn't mention to get a permit? Additionally, even an American aviator with JAA certificates AND a work permit will face an uphill battle to gain employment abroad lacking substantial jet qualifications.

These links have pilot job listing in Europe, so perhaps reviewing the listings will help you find what European airlines are looking for (requires registration):

http://www.flightdeckrecruitment.com/
http://www.airlinejob.net/pilot-jobs.htm

Again, the best place you can get the info you need about flying as an airline pilot for a European carrier is from those who are currently doing so at the "Professional Pilot Rumor Network" boards- http://www.pprune.com

Regardless of what you have been told by a JAA flight school in the USA, you need to get advice from those in Europe who currently fly there and know the hiring trends at their respective carriers. Many flight schools will tell you whatever you want to hear in order to get your money to pay for a JAA (or FAA) pilot program! Do not go on that advice alone or you may be out of a lot of money with useless JAA certificates.

Dottie