ICAO to EASA
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Join Date: Mar 2015
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ICAO to EASA
Good Evening Ppruners,
I hope someone on here could help me a little in regard of a rather big decision which I need to make for myself. Up front, I did already do a fair share of research regarding my situation, but there are unfortunately a lot of different opinions out there, and eventually it does get rather confusing.
Currently I’m living in South Africa, and hold the following:
SACAA PPL (A) including Night Rating
~160h TT with just over 100 PIC
SACAA CPL Exam credits (AirLaw, Met, HP and Nav)
I’m now about to finish with my university studies, and hence will be able to focus fully on my flight training. However I personally don’t see myself living in South Africa for the greater part of my life, and eventually would like to move back to Europe (holding dual citizenship DE/ZA).
Hence my question if it would make sense from a training point of view to now pack my bags and move back to Europe.
The way I understand it, that would mean I obviously have to convert my PPL (A), Medical and redo 3 PPL exams, radio test + flight test.
However because I do have more than 150h TT and +100PIC, I wouldn’t have to redo the entire PPL course, and could also transfer my hours.
My next goal then would be to acquire my EASA Frozen-ATP, and depending on how things are going, convert it into a Frozen SACAA ATP, as I would love to do some bush flying and generally build some experience in southern Africa.
Unfortunately in South Africa we first have to obtain our CPL(A) license, before having to write another 6 ATP exams for out frozen ATPs. So exam wise I don’t see a huge difference there....Plus another 14 if I do decide to move back to Europe eventually.
I hope that someone does understand my thought process and could maybe give some input.
Also if that does make sense at the end of the day, are there any flight schools in pref. N-Germany who could accommodate this type of request?
I hope someone on here could help me a little in regard of a rather big decision which I need to make for myself. Up front, I did already do a fair share of research regarding my situation, but there are unfortunately a lot of different opinions out there, and eventually it does get rather confusing.
Currently I’m living in South Africa, and hold the following:
SACAA PPL (A) including Night Rating
~160h TT with just over 100 PIC
SACAA CPL Exam credits (AirLaw, Met, HP and Nav)
I’m now about to finish with my university studies, and hence will be able to focus fully on my flight training. However I personally don’t see myself living in South Africa for the greater part of my life, and eventually would like to move back to Europe (holding dual citizenship DE/ZA).
Hence my question if it would make sense from a training point of view to now pack my bags and move back to Europe.
The way I understand it, that would mean I obviously have to convert my PPL (A), Medical and redo 3 PPL exams, radio test + flight test.
However because I do have more than 150h TT and +100PIC, I wouldn’t have to redo the entire PPL course, and could also transfer my hours.
My next goal then would be to acquire my EASA Frozen-ATP, and depending on how things are going, convert it into a Frozen SACAA ATP, as I would love to do some bush flying and generally build some experience in southern Africa.
Unfortunately in South Africa we first have to obtain our CPL(A) license, before having to write another 6 ATP exams for out frozen ATPs. So exam wise I don’t see a huge difference there....Plus another 14 if I do decide to move back to Europe eventually.
I hope that someone does understand my thought process and could maybe give some input.
Also if that does make sense at the end of the day, are there any flight schools in pref. N-Germany who could accommodate this type of request?
Join Date: Dec 2004
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P0onky,
You have a ICAO PPL so can go straight into ATPL Theory either fulltime or distance learning. No need to convert.
Complete the 14 EASA ATPL exams and then do the required Flight training for CPL and I/R then follow up with an MCC course and you have a "Frozen" ATPL.
Can do the training with any approved EASA school or schools.
W1
You have a ICAO PPL so can go straight into ATPL Theory either fulltime or distance learning. No need to convert.
Complete the 14 EASA ATPL exams and then do the required Flight training for CPL and I/R then follow up with an MCC course and you have a "Frozen" ATPL.
Can do the training with any approved EASA school or schools.
W1
Join Date: Dec 2015
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I'm in the same boat as you P0onky, but I've got my CPL and ATPL subjects. I think the reward outweighs the risk, but It will be much cheaper for you to get your SA CPL, then do some bush flying and THEN head to EASA as the conversion price decreases the more hours you have. While you are bush flying, self study for the ATPL exams as whiskey1 suggested through someone like Bristol ground school on their distance learning course. Remember, in the early stages of the CPL, you want to get other people to pay for the hours, rather than spend a metric tonne on training and have no operational experience at the end of it all! 
