Any New Zealand Examiners in the UK? [Archive]

Savage_UK

16th Nov 2008, 16:51

Hi

I'm trying to find a New Zealand examiner currently operating in the UK who can renew a NZ commercial licence.

I'm currently converting the NZ CPL MEIR to a JAR issue, but in order to sit the skills test need to have a current and valid licence to begin with. Similar story for the IR too. My validity for the NZ issue is due to run out in December 2008.

In order to revalidate I have been given the options from the CAA to either:

* Go back to State of issue and renew there (expensive given the flights and time off required).
* Join an approved FTO and redo the whole CPL flying training syllabus again (again, expensive given that it would be about 25hrs of flight time).
or (ideally).
* Find an NZ examiner in the UK who can do the skills test.

Time-wise I'd like to get it sorted after my ATPL theory studies - so April 09 time.

If anyone is/knows of such a person I would be very interested in talking with them.

Many thanks in advance

ExSp33db1rd

18th Nov 2008, 07:49

'fraid this will be of absolutely no help to you, but ......... I had exactly the same problem in reverse, trying to get a mere NZ PPL from a valid, but not current, UK ATPL.

Rang the UK CAA, who officially were no help, no UK instructors in NZ. but, one of the staff knew a sister of a cousin of an aunt's second husband twice removed etc. who they KNEW for certain was instructing in NZ. Only info. was a name.

Started ringing all the flying schools in Auckland for a start, and eventually found her, and she confirmed that she still maintained a UK qualification.

Back to the NZ CAA and explained that I was a poor, impoverished pensioner living far from Auckland, and did I really have to get myself there, and as said instructor was also NZ qualified, and as I was only doing the UK renewal to show them a valid UK licence, and I would then have to fly the NZ flight test as well, could the instructor count the one flight for the two bureacracies ? Oh, forget it, they said, just do the NZ flight test locally - but not with your friendly Club CFI, and they nominated a stranger. I then made them put the 747 on my PPL tho' ! just to be awkward. ( I'm from Yorkshire )

Subsequently got a short term job back in UK, and returned to NZ with a fully valid UK ATPL and I/R, and now asked for a NZ ATPL, Yes, they said, but .... give us a $1000 to assess your logbooks, and another $1000 to assess your flight test in the Air NZ 747 Sim - for which you will have to pay them of course, and ... we don't recognise a UK I/R, go back to Ardmore and hire a twin something and fly a NZ Initial I/R !!!

As no one was going to employ me at the then ripe old age of 65+ I told them what to do with their idea, so they gave me a VFR only CPL ! Which I've never used in anger for Hire and Reward, but I sort of proved my point and maintain a Class 1 med. to keep it valid to use with the local Coastguard SAR aircraft.

CAA - Campaign Against Aviation !

Borin, Borin, but ....... when the NZ Receational Pilot Licence was being discussed with the NZ CAA, it was originally proposed that one would be able to fly any aircraft on ones' licence to Microlight rules ( not now, there is a 2000 kg. weight limit ) Here is where my early ploy came into effect, 'cos I said I had a 747 on my licence, so could I fly it as a Microlight ? Long pause, and then told that Microlights only certified for 1 passenger, so did I want the F/O or the Flt. Engineer ! ( I never flew the -400 ) Who says bureacracy has no humour.

Sorry, as I said, no use to you, but reminded me !! Best of Luck.

( When I went back to UK to renew my ATPL for the short term job, I actually found Gatwick to be more accommodating than Wellington ! )