Aha.. I think we're considering different things, and I should have been more precise with my wording..
My understanding is this: Ratings AND endorsements are things that are 'added to' your license (in aus at least); each require a sticky strip issued by a casa delegate (ATO). Differences training (non existent concept in aus) and sign-offs go in the logbook. I have an SEP
rating, night VFR
rating, csu/retract
endorsement and tailwheel
endorsement. All of those required CASA to re-issue my license with the appropriate extra bits printed on it.
I'm with englishal in so much as flying on the aussie license over here. However, I was attempting to address something slightly different: Specifically, what happens when you obtain a JAA UK license using your aussie one: SEP, NVFR, no problem. Rating there, rating here, equivalence OK, over they come. Interestingly while aerobatics is an
endorsement there, it only ever gets signed off in the logbook, and doesn't go on the license, and there isn't a sticky strip. No idea why that is..
Now.. CSU/Retract and Tailwheel:
endorsement there... differences training here.. uh? Differences training needs to be signed off in the logbook. Well, I think both got signed off by someone as well as the re-issue of my license with the new boxes filled in.. I'd have to check.. but does that mean I need to get some 'uk recognised' person to sign them off as well? all a bit vauge.. bit of a minefield really!
As for the aeros the only requirement here seems to be not to kill myself, so I think I'll just spend some dual time and take it carefully..
I never bothered to get an MEP class rating there 'cos it wouldn't transfer without >100hrs MEP, I'd have had to do a fresh UK MEP. I'd have been in the strange position of being able to fly twins here on an aus license, but not on a JAA one. (wonder if you can just shuffle the deck and pick the license that best suits the situation
) Besides, twins are an (even more) expensive hobby!
P.S. I did email the CAA setting out what the situation was, and how I understood it. 20 days later they reply telling me the same things I'd asked them to confirm, and completely ignoring the bits where I'd asked real questions!