how to convert to US or UK licence

[Pigchaser]

I am a commercial helicopter pilot and training towards my ATPL in both rotary and fixed wing in NZ, How hard would it be to convert to a US or UK licence?? Anyone done it??

[GoodGrief]

Please use the "search" function.

[Whirlygig]

Of course people have done it.

To convert to JAA, you need to take the 13 ATPL exams, undergo whatever training necessary in order to pass a CPL skill test (this varies from person to person but I've heard it being nearly 30 hours :}), and a minimum of 15 hours for the iR plus twin rating.

However, there is no point in converting to JAA licence unless you have the right to live and work in Europe.

Cheers

Whirls

[Pigchaser]

i put this question up, Goodgrief, as everyone seems to dance around how hard it is and never really says weather they have been able to do it, Faa website isn't that helpful and when you contact Faa they arn't that easy to get the correct info out of either. So yes i have used the search button, but peoples personal knowledge can be very helpful too

[Pigchaser]

Thanks for that Whirlygig, I am tossing up weather to see if I should get my CPL here then do the ATPL over in the US or UK if I am able to live there. I have family in the UK so not sure if the heredity thing would work

[Gordy]

Faa website isn't that helpful

Yes it is....

61.75 Private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license. (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8811580f12a3b998aab249f0eb9eef12&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2.2.1.10&idno=14)

As for commercial...you need to do the exact same as everyone else...pass the written, oral and practical test:

61.123 Eligibility requirements: General. Commercial Pilots (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=8811580f12a3b998aab249f0eb9eef12&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2.6.1.2&idno=14)

Just like Whirlygig states---it is not much use unless you are legal to work in the US.