What Every ‘Export Pilot’ Needs to Know.
As the industry expands, the number of pilots changing jobs to new airlines in this dynamic environment is increasing tremendously. Changes to work in new countries are becoming more and more popular as the pilots have opportunities to capitalise on the skills shortage to earn more money and expose themselves to different cultures, politics, geography, etc. and expand their experience. However there are differences between pilots’ documents required by every aviation authority and additional documents required for foreign licence validations and licence issuance. Unlike the case with EASA, most countries do not have identical regulations. Each country’s authority can bring difficulties to pilots when applying overseas. With this article, Brookfield Aviation shares our experience to provide beneficial knowledge which could reduce the difficulties and issues for pilots when applying for jobs around the world. We understand that some pilots are seasoned contractors and others may have worked long-term for one airline from ab-initio onwards in their career, rarely having applied for jobs outside their home country and with no experience of the application processes overseas.
The basic documents required for foreign licence validation are as follows:
Licence with a valid type rating + Instrument Rating
Valid Medical class 1
Passport valid at least 1 year
Last 3 pages of logbook, which endorse the last flights on type
Valid proficiency check on type (conducted in the sim with current type of aircraft indicating completion of required recurrent tasks, including abnormal / emergency tasks, etc.)
Other documents as required:
Due to the higher requirement of air safety from aviation authorities or requirements for pilots to operate in one country with specific conditions, the airline or authority could require the following documents additionally:
Reference letter from previous or current company/ employer verification Letter. The letter on company letterhead, signed by appropriate company admin official and should include employment start/end date with company, seat position on aircraft type, calendar duration plus flight hour total for each position having been held while in the company employment.
No accident/incident confirmation from previous company
Course certificates according to qualification such as line check, recurrent training (ground and sim), ditching, HAZMAT, RVSM, AVSEC, CRM, SMS, RHS, CAT II/III (ground and sim)
Letter of authorization or validation approval provided by the validating aviation authority, approving use of the pilots’ home national licence.
A major issue in many countries now is the authentication of documents. A growing number of authorities now require document copies to be verified by a notary, subsequently sent to their Foreign Office for apostille. This process is applicable for countries signed up to the Hague Convention. For other countries a local notarisation is often enough. Requirements vary from one country to another, but we are able to advise our pilots on a case by case basis.
The current market offers many job options for pilots with different requirements of documentation. Although pilots are professionals employed in a highly skilled technical field, it is surprising that so many fail to have the understanding to obtain the appropriate documentation for the job they are applying for.
Brookfield recruits pilots for airlines all over the world, exposing various different processes. We have an in-depth knowledge of the procedures in most countries and can help pilots deal with these sometimes very complex issues. We also support our airline clients effectively by providing suitable pilots’ documentation and selection.
