Get it sorted all before you go to Oz.
Here's what you need to do:
- fill out the CAA form, fax it to Gatwick, and pay £17 for them to release all your details to CASA (the aussie CAA)
- Download the application for a special pilots licence from the CASA website
- Phone up CASA, and asked to be put through to the local CASA office near the airfield you'll be flying from. For example, in Sydney, the Bamkstown office is the one. Explain the situation. Fax all your details through: copies of log book, any VP/UC endorsements. Licence etc.
- CASA can begin the process of asking the UK CAA to release all your info. This can take 10 days.
- Before you leave - i.e. 5 days before, phone CASA up again and make sure they have everything.
- Go to Oz. Go to the local CASA office, drop off all your original paper work. Pay fees.
- Wait 24hrs
- You'll be issued with a lovely green book with a special pilots licence based on your UK licence.
- Part of requirements will be to fly with a qualified instructor to undertake a flight review test: this will include a x-country and general handling.
- You're done!! You can fly a VH registered aircraft.