Flying in Australia and NZ?

[hugh flung_dung]

Has anyone here from the UK flown in Oz or NZ? I'm going to be in the Gold Coast area of Australia (nr Brisbane) later in the year on business and fancy doing some flying while I'm there.
From the CASA site it looks like a CoV is going to be $260 (or £520 for a Special Pilot Licence!) and that the paperwork may take several months - this seems a bit steep and a bit long, even by UK standards. Can this be reduced or avoided? maybe by flying dual with an instructor?
Any recommended destinations?

Afterwards I may go on to NZ but can't find any info about what's needed to convert a UK CPLIR into an NZ PPL, or to get an equivalent of the Oz CoV - any pointers?

HFD

[toolowtoofast]

http://www.caa.govt.nz/pilots/UK_Verification.htm

http://www.caa.govt.nz/pilots/Flight_Crew_Recognition_Info.pdf

on the pdf, scroll down to the 'short term validation of overseas licences'.

basically you'll need to do a BFR equivalent.

[ozzieausterdriver]

I am a ''pommie'' living in Australia and have a special pilots licence. In the early days I used to work for a company who renewed my validation every 3 months but that was expensive and hassle.

I have to say CASA are very unhelpful regarding the SPL and they keep suggesting they will remove it from their website!!

PM me for details of how to overcome a nightmare situation

OAD

[hugh flung_dung]

Thanks to both!
It looks much easier and cheaper to get validated in NZ. Maybe the answer is dual in Oz and solo in NZ.

HFD

[Shunter]

When I enquired to an NZ school regarding flying over there, the response was...


All you are required to do is a BFR (about a one hrs flight) with myself and I can convert your licence to a NZ PPL.You may still use your current JAA medical with the newly obtained NZ PPL.The process is very easy and I do many validations from the UK each month.

Pretty simple really.

[Tall_guy_in_a_152]

The problem I found in NZ is finding someone to rent you an aircraft solo. The schools tend to be very scared that you will fly into a mountain and they may have a point.

I took the opportunity to do a few hours of mountain flying with an instructor from Wakatipu aero club at Queenstown. It was fantastic and very good value for money. Also good preparation for a trip to the French / Italian Alps earlier this year.

[John Eacott]

For Australia, you could always look at the CASA site, which has this section (http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/overbr.htm) on overseas licences. The warning on UK licence holders and the CAA toward the foot of the page may be pertinent.

Or if you have an NZ Commercial licence, then you can apply under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act for a licence. Yes, I know this is Private Flying, but someone may raise the idea ;)