12W Tim,
It's pointless to sit the exams in the UK. I'm more rotary minded, but want to do lots of tailwheel flying around the world, including USA, where I'm planning to do FAA CPL(A) and (H) and when back in Europe, doing SE IR and CPL LST with ATPL theory sat in Prague.
I am not going to study off the QB only. CATS is good enough for me for English theory exams in Czech Rep.
It'll cost me couple thousand pounds less than trying to achieve UK CAA CPL(A) and the heli bridging modules or both taken same time to keep it fresh in mind, why not.. Why should I support the UK CAA racket (fees and charges)?
Enough I'll have to pay 40 quid or so for second resit (should I fail one of my 12 other exams for aircraft eng). Especially as I need to save tons of cash yet another handful of years for all my plans.
Not to mention LST fees, revalidation, etc.
Did I mention I can pick almost any week to sit the exams in Prague at much shorter notice? Also the results quite fast.
Btw, I started part-66 aero eng training in the UK and plan to do Mod 12 (heli systems and structures) to get B1.3 as well, besides B1.1.
The width and depth of my exams for part-66 are both more extensive than the ATPL theory (some technical modules). So my situation isn't good example.
navneet, I'd be talking crap if I tried to give you solid answer and comparison between IAA and UK CAA. You've got enough mentioned here. Best to check with CAA yourself if you don't trust some other opinions in this thread.
I got in touch with Czech CAA to confirm it with them that my plans are kosher. Since I'm Czech citizen as well, it's OK.