Whirls,
I tend to agree with nigelh: there are times when the CAA's intransigence is difficult to accept
I've only 5000 hours on B206's but the CAA won't recognise any of them, nor my overseas licences that are duly endorsed "Bell 206". Nor will they recognise my 1000's of hours on the A109, BK117, S76, etc etc: all require ground school/flight tests in order to be added to my UK ATPL.
Unlike the rest of the world, who have the good sense (and good grace) to recognise that other agencies are competent enough to have adequate checks in place before issuing endorsements
