Sometimes we receive questions about what is required to work for a particular airline -- how much training and how many flight hours for hiring new pilots.
Each airline has its specific requirements -- and these requirements sometimes change, based on the current need of the airline. So if you have your heart set on one or two airlines only (not recommended for new pilots), you should check with the crew hiring department of those airlines. For example, Saudi Arabian Airlines requires the following for new first officer applicants: Minimum of 320 hours total time with 50 hours multi-engine time. If you train at Phoenix East Aviation, in Daytona Beach, Florida, you can train for US FAA Commercial/Instrument and Multi-Engine (IFR and VFR) ratings, which can be converted to Saudi Arabia licenses when you return home. This program consists of a Private Pilot Course, an Instrument Course, a Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot's Course, and several options for time-building to achieve the required Saudi Arabian Airline minimum 320 hour requirement.
Also, aviation authorities in each country have their minimum requirements (the same or less than a airline in that country would have) to be licensed in that country. If you train to be a pilot and are certified outside your country, it is usually not complicated (sometimes requiring only paperwork, depending on the country) to convert your license to that of your country.
Many student pilots train outside their countries (65% of Phoenix East Aviation students are from countries outside the US), typically for one or both of two reasons: Their country does not offer the advanced training required by airlines, such as a Commercial Pilot Certificate or Air Transport Pilot Certificate, or because it is less expensive to train outside your own country. A good example is training in the US, which can cost nearly 50% less than in Europe! Phoenix East Aviation can tell you more about that on www.pea.com.
