Licence Conversion
An option that can seem attractive is to complete a CPL/IR in another country (for example the USA), then convert to a JAA licence. If you intend to use the foreign licence, this is obviously a sensible option. However, if you are considering this route purely on perceived cost saving grounds, then beware.
Certainly, the cost of a CPL/IR course in somewhere like the USA can see very cheap when compared with European norms. However, the conversion is not straightforward and can end up being considerably more expensive than you planned.
Firstly, all the theory training you did for your overseas licence is disregarded when you apply for your JAA licence. Therefore you face the full expense and considerable time commitment of doing the JAA ATPL training. See here for details about how to complete this requirement. When you are costing this, bear in mind how long it takes, and that you will need to do the exams in a CAA test centre.
For the CPL and ME, you merely have to do training 'as required', then pass the CPL Skills Test with a CAA approved examiner. Depending on where you were trained, how current you are, what type of flying you have been doing, and your ability, you may find this straightforward or challenging. European airspace is crowded and the weather here is more demanding than many parts of the world.
For the IR (assuming your non-European IR is current) you need to complete at least 15 hrs training of which 10 may be in a simulator.
For details of our licence conversion training, click here.
In summary, this is a valid route if you are intending to use a non-European CPL/IR licence in the country of issue, but in practice this apparently cheap route can be quite expensive due to the demands of the licence conversion process. Please note that you MUST check with the CAA in your country of issue before conversion training that you are eligible to train in this country and a licence can be issued to you.