Any Private Pilots making the move/moved across?

I've just sent off the myriad of paperwork to CASA to convert from my EASA PPL to the Aussie one. I've held off doing it until we'd settled down here and sorted out our lives.

Quite a bit of paperwork involved, a quite intense Class 2 Medical and had to get everything certified by the JP for it to happen.

Surprised that only a Flight Review is required to complete the process, no written exams or full on flight test. I think I'll probably spend a bit longer with an instructor getting familiar with the Aussie way.

Would be good to see if anyone else has any experiences to share, I'm sure with the variety of people on this forum that i can't be the only PPL.

Also, an old thread: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/news-chat-dilemmas/102616-any-uk-pilots-nppls-out-there.html

Well, a bit of a bump for this thread. No kindred spirits yet, but surely in this vast forum there will be. Anyway, a bit of information valid as of July 2015 for anyone looking at flying here.

CASA offer two options, the Certificate of Validation for 3 month conversion, ideal for holiday makers touring and the full conversion process, details of both found here: http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90024

Anything above PPL level will require exams, further info on the website. CPL/ATPL Fixed and Rotary are both on the SOL at the moment.

Steps for conversion

1. Apply for an Aviation Reference Number - CASA Form 1162 . This part is free, but needs to be done before any other steps.

2. Find a Medical Examiner (DAME) and take a Class 2 Medical http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD:1001:pc=PC_91522

3. Provide authorisation to the UK CAA for License Verification, form SRG 1160. This is so that CASA can verify you're license is genuine, however you will need to send a certified copy of your license for this, see the form for who can do this.

4. Obtain certified copies of the following documents (JP's offer this for free in most Australian towns, in Penrith they do this at the library 3 times a week): Certified Passport Photos, Copy of License, 3 last pages of logbook, passport, drivers license.

5. Complete Form 498 (Australian Security Identity Card), Form 61-9PIC (Photos), Form 61-4A (Flight Crew License Application on basis of Overseas Civil Qualifications)

6. Once you receive your license, you need a Flight Review (Biennial Flight Review).

This as the process at the moment, no extra exams required. In my situation my CAA Medical has recently lapsed and the revalidation of my SEP rating is overdue but that doesn't seem to be an issue. They are working towards moving all of these forms online, so this may change in the near future, but at the moment they are saveable PDF forms which are easy to complete. Lots of catch 22's, you can't take the Medical or fill in any other forms unless you have an ARN (Aviation Reference Number), you can't complete the ASIC (Aviation Security Identity Card) without a valid Medical, and you can't apply for the license without a valid ASIC. You can apply for the license and ASIC simultaneously though.

The Class 2 medical was a little more intensive then the UK one, and the paperwork is generally more bureaucratic, but the process isn't overly difficult.

The CASA website is a wealth of information, but its really well hidden. They have a lot of videos on the airspace setup, approach procedures for airfields etc.

If you have been using SkyDemon on the iPad for your flying, the Australian equivalent is OzRunways and is pretty good. They offer a 30 day trial.

Like the UK they also have several different levels of license below PPL, and Recreational License which is administered by an independent organisation https://www.raa.asn.au .

Still no kindred spirits, but I'll keep trying anyway. I've complete the Flight Review and have been doing some local flying, not yet travelled further afield to explore the outback, but it will come.

Also discovered a good guide for anyone converting, and that is the CASA produced Visual Flight Rules Guide, its a bit of a condensed bible for flying in Australia.

Hope it all goes well. My husband was an RAF/commercial pilot, but didn't continue when he retired. He thought about it, but seem to remember he wasn't deemed capable of night flying or something, so never bothered.

He had a flight locally in Caloundra in a chipmunk, exactly 50 years to the day that he first went solo, loved it and it was very special.

As a bonus I went up as well.

I love flying, even have almost fond memories of working on DC3's in Zambia back in the 1960's, had some interesting and exciting experiences, landing on grass strips. Was on international routes in jets as well.

I may look at PPL flying when settled. Sadly not flown since I got married 11 years ago (can't think why !!). Not even been for a joy ride, as might then miss it to much.

Not aware of the scene down under. As I will be down on the Mornington Peninsular, will have to have a look around Tyabb or Moorabbin and see what goes on.

Does temp cause issues with performance on the normal span cans or are there lots of turbo normalised singles being used ?

I learned on C150/2 then mainly flew AA5's with a bit of Katana and turbo arrow thrown in. Ending up on the BE26 twin.

oh and I did own an Auster for a bit, but it was a restoration job and never got it airborne.:smile:

Syd is pretty good and open for JAR/CAA PPL's , VFR flight rule guides are an excellent one stop shop for local ops in and around GAAP's and controlled and non controlled, although CASA seem to change this every other year.

Not sure if you can just straight swap a UK/FAA/JAR ppl, think there may be a time limit, CASA used to issue a special pilot licence with inherited type ratings (check ride endorsement) but I think they phased that out, class 2 is not really a hard medical, maybe the initial is but the Aus class 1 is fairly straight forward when compared to the old JAR class1.

Loads of high performance singles about, quite a few turbo normalised (out of puff at say 6K, but great cruise perf) , single dustbin of choice for a go-place tin can that you can stick the family or a bunch of blokes with a slab of beer is generally a 182T/Q, good short field, 150Kts ias at 6k , fish around for a tailwind with gps and you're doing 165 at density alt + tailwind and you can get from Syd to brissie in less than 3 hours with 4 people and enough luggage. Totally no point in getting a twin (baron) , spending four times the money fuel and getting another 20kts speed, plus, crap short field and you're buggered if you have to force land, 182 easily into a football oval + a few scratches:)

Lots of interesting things around camden where I used out fly out of (mascot does not count!), good few tailwheels, Pitts, maule, loads of single high performance, complex and plenty going on, stay away from the friendly turk and his mig 15, looks too much like a coffin to me, nice guy, but he's nuts.

Temps definitely an issue, density altitude calc's will save your life, did P charts out of coober pedy once and was off the scale , temps too high and density alt way outside safe area!!!!! Imagine that with a family, bit of luggage, full trip fuel + mandatory reserve and alt, old and tired engine and you're in for a scare

God yes temp issues. Had a scare myself in a AA5A leaving Biaritz on a summers afternoon with 2 mates. End of the scale, heaven knows what going beyond would have meant. (climbing out wondering if I had actually untied the hold down weights)

I was on the older Caa PPL, would expect to start from scratch.

I'd definitely see if it's possible to convert your old your license to an EASA one first and then try converting that. My SEP and Medical had lapsed when I converted to EASA, and then subsequently converted to CASA. No real dramas. I did a tailwheel endorsement with Curtis Aviation in Camden when I arrived, which brushed off the rust and brought me up to speed with the Aussie ways, doing the endorsement also mean't not having to do a BFR as it is accepted in lieu.

It's a great country to fly in, just searching for the perfect plane now.

I've had a few PM's and conversations recently about flying in Australia, so thought I'd post some pictures here for anyone who might be interested (some of the photos have already been posted elsewhere in the forum).

It's possible to fly over the harbour and perform orbits at 1500ft between the Opera House, Fort Denison and the Harbour Bridge under an airways clearance (Harbour Scenic 1), or occasionally when its busy just over Chatswood (Harbour Scenic 2). There is also an area outside controlled airspace along the coast called 'Victor 1' where you can track at 500ft from Long Reef past Manly, Bondi and down towards Sea Cliff Bridge, absolutely amazing. Air Traffic Control coverage is fantastic and they provide a great service and fit you in where possible, which considering the sheer amount of traffic your mixing with is in the terminal area is pretty impressive.

Flying over the Blue Mountains and into the outback, full of adventures. It's a vast country, and you can cover so much of it quickly by flying, particularly into the outback.

We hope to do more outback flying, particularly to some of the stations where they have airstrips and B&Bs.

Thanks for those pics, they are marvellous. My dad was in the raf, he would have loved to fly in Australia - his flying was all over enemy lines in Europe in the war, mitchell bombers.

Hello all,

Sorry to rekindle an old thread but here goes.....

I have an EASA PPL(H), actually had - it has probably lapsed. I have subsequently upgraded to a CASA CPL(H) after lots of tests, flying and flight test. I moved here from Blighty (for the 2nd time!) in May 2014. Lots of back and forth whilst visas were processed etc and finally got my 'provisional' residency in September 2015.

Based out of Brisbane - if anyone is interested.

Regards

Rotorbez

........Redcliffe aero club and Archerfield both have good choices to meet like minded people..!

........Redcliffe aero club and Archerfield both have good choices to meet like minded people..!

Thanks Tink,

I can absolutely confirm this, well for Redcliffe Aeroclub anyway - I fly from there albeit the other end of the runway.

RB

..........you might of seen the son then.....!

..........he was there flying....

I've had a few PM's and conversations recently about flying in Australia, so thought I'd post some pictures here for anyone who might be interested (some of the photos have already been posted elsewhere in the forum).

 

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It's possible to fly over the harbour and perform orbits at 1500ft between the Opera House, Fort Denison and the Harbour Bridge under an airways clearance (Harbour Scenic 1), or occasionally when its busy just over Chatswood (Harbour Scenic 2). There is also an area outside controlled airspace along the coast called 'Victor 1' where you can track at 500ft from Long Reef past Manly, Bondi and down towards Sea Cliff Bridge, absolutely amazing. Air Traffic Control coverage is fantastic and they provide a great service and fit you in where possible, which considering the sheer amount of traffic your mixing with is in the terminal area is pretty impressive.

 

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Flying over the Blue Mountains and into the outback, full of adventures. It's a vast country, and you can cover so much of it quickly by flying, particularly into the outback.

 

We hope to do more outback flying, particularly to some of the stations where they have airstrips and B&Bs.

LJK and MWY ? MIF out of Camden ?

Lovely images....

B

LJK and MWY ? MIF out of Camden ?

Yes the beautiful fleet from Curtis Aviation, who I can't praise enough for being fantastic.