Flying in Chile

[Aucky]

Hi Guys, Does anyone have any info about converting a JAA CPL(H) to the Chilean or Argentinian CPH(H)?? and if there is any scope for employment that side of the pond?? cheers

[170lvr]

Hi Aucky! Not sure about Argentina, but Chile is fairly easy. You can get a six month convalidation by taking a 100 question test on local aviation regulations. It is pretty easy, the questions are published on the D.G.A.C. website. The complete convalidation, requires you to take specific tests on each subject following the same procedure. It should not be too hard and it doesn't take more than a week. Lovely country to fly and very nice people!! As for the pay, I'm not sure, but I would guess it's not good. Helicopter market growing fast. Hope it helps.

Cheers!

[Aucky]

Hi 170, thanks for your info, do you know if those tests are to validate a CPL(H) or a PPL(H), also from your experience is it necessary to speak good spanish to get-by/fly in Chile??

[BelArgUSA]

Hola Aucky -
xxx
For information of Argentina licencing and validations, try the GOV.AR site.
Comando de Regiones Aéreas - Personal Aeronáutico (http://www.cra.gov.ar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=17)
All info is in Spanish language.
As far as flying in Argentina (or Chile), you better know Spanish.
xxx
South America suffers of the recession too.
Consider Brazil, helicopter operations are booming in Sao Paulo
They are the world's top helicopter operators, by helicopter fleets.
Sorry, I am fixed wing pilot, so cannot help too much.
xxx
All the best -
:ok:
Happy contrails

[rcapiloto]

Hi!

As far as getting a validation of your JAA CPL(H) in Chile it's fairly easy as mentioned in the previous posts. However, the six month validation gives you only a PPL(H). If you want to work in Chile, doing aerial work, you need to obtain a full Chilean CPL(H): 120 question exam and a 45-60 mn. flight test, the validity of the licence will be linked to you having a working permit/visa in Chile. And of course, everything is in spanish, so you have to be fairly fluent.

There is plenty of work in Chile... and a shortage of experienced pilots at this very moment. There's several foreigners working every summer, mostly on forest fires. Your chances of getting a job will depend on your previous experience, if you have hours doing fires, external loads or mountain time, you stan good chances of getting a job.

PM me if you would like more info.

R.

[Aucky]

Thanks guys, all very helpful info, sounds like i may have to brush up on my spanish a little first, but all sounds very encouraging, thanks again.

happy new year to all :ok:

[CdnChopper]

I am a canadian helicopter pilot that would like to fly in Chile for a Chilean company. What kind of licence conversion do I need? Also what would be good companies to look at?

[gnz]

For licence conversion, try the local DGAC website. DGAC website (http://www.dgac.cl/portal/page?_pageid=333,225158&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL)

For local major company;
- Ecocopter.cl/ (http://www.ecocopter.cl/)
- Inaer.com (http://www.grupoinaer.com/index.php?/inaer/)