Hello fellow Piloters,

I am an Australian Pilot with the following ratings and hours;

SEA 2839.6
MEA 113.8
IMC 135.0
Night 225.4

TWU, CFI, CFI I, MEI, CFI NVFR

On this side of the world I have completed all the theory that is associated with the ICAO recognised airline license level and according to my government I have the hours for it as well. However, I cannot afford a Airline Flight Test cause it costs an absurd amount per hour. My circumstance is I took a sabbatical to do the airline theory but kept my skills with simulators up and I did not have a vacation for the last 7 years, (worked throughout covid pandemic which is fortunate).

An issue I see is being in limbo, not enough MEA hours to be hired into a equivalent legacy or regional airline here in Australia, too many hours that no 135 will hire me because they expect me to slave away for 5 years as a return of service when all i need is 80 or so hours.

I do have aspirations to be an ex pat pilot in other countries and I have seen other Australians do it. There's this one pilot instagram account that is Aussie and consistently flies around Portugal.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you