Hey there,
First of all, I'm new to the forums, so hello to everyone! I been searching around google for some answers as to how to go about converting to and from casa and FAA licenses. No luck, so I thought I'd join this forum to see if I can find them!
I have a CASA (Australian) PPL/A license, and have completed all 7 casa PPL and CPL subjects and I'm looking to gain my CPL with twin engine C.I.R and eventually casa ATPL subjects and find a job! A mate from Aus is currently in California doing his CPL and highly recommends it, so I'm now considering doing my training full time in the U.S. He says the instructors are great, the flying, weather and lifestyle is excellent and the cost of hiring out aircraft is really quite competitive - flight training here in Australia appears to be quite expensive in comparison. Most of all.. he's having fun!
I have contacted a few California based schools via email for some info and from what I have been told I can convert my casa PPL to FAA PPL with a little bit of paperwork and check-ride for as long as my casa license and medical are valid. I know converting from FAA PPL to casa PPL is air law exam (which I have passed) and check ride from what I have been told. However I have many options.
Option 1:
-Hour build in Australia get 150 hr CPL.
-Convert CASA CPL to FAA CPL
-Go to U.S to do twin C.I.R
-Convert FAA CPL to CASA CPL - IREX exam and check ride.
-CASA ATPL exams
Option 2:
- Convert CASA PPL to FAA PPL
- Hour build in California
- Obtain FAA twin C.I.R.
- Convert FAA PPL with C.I.R. back to CASA PPL with C.I.R. with IREX exam and check ride.
- Sit CASA CPL flight test
-CASA ATPL exams
Option 3:
-Convert to FAA PPL
-Complete FAA PPL to FAA CPL training
- Convert FAA CPL with C.I.R. back to CASA CPL with IREX exam and check ride.
-CASA ATPL exams
In short, my options are either to stay here in Australia and continue my 150 hr casa cpl or I can proceed to the U.S. to do a 200/250 hr course there. Could anyone possibly give me some guidance on which would be the better option? Or if at all my options are even possible? Any info is much appreciated thanks.
Brenno