PPL Conversion in Asia? which country is easiest/best?

[Air_King]

Hi i have a PPL issued in Philippines. i want to fully convert my PPL to another asian country. i've checked Thailand, and it seems that they allow temporary conversions, but for a full Thai PPL they say i would need to redo all my training and hours (eek). i dont plan to do that.

there has got to be many countries out there where its just a matter of some simple paperwork or maybe a check flight at the most for a full conversion....but, where are they?

i'd like to hear everyone's suggestions on which countries in Asia would be the best and easiest to have my current PPL fully converted.

tks a lot!!

[jimmygill]

India is where you can get a PPL converted from Phillippines, but the paperwork and exam system make it reject-at-first-sight idea.

Your preference to get another asian PPL sounds pretty curious?

I know its easy to get it converted to FAA based on your current PPL, you will need written exam and clearance from phillpines. What you will get is a restricted ppl, but you can take a checkride and get unrestricted PPL also.

[smiling monkey]

which countries in Asia would be the best and easiest to have my current PPL fully converted.

The country where you plan to fly in!

BTW, what you described with the Thai authorities sounds like a license validation; not conversion. A conversion usually involves sitting at least Air Law and a flight test with the local authority's examiner of airmen (and airwomen for political correctness).

So, why do you wish to convert from the Philippines PPL? Anything wrong with it? ;)

[FMGCS]

I agree with smiling monkey. You get the PPL in the country where you would like to fly. Or you can also get a certain PPL for flying that country registered aircraft.

I hope you do not think that a PPL is similar to an international driving license. It is not. That is why I have 5 licenses current. So that I can move around and fly aircraft in different countries without an instructor (Some schools require a company checkride, but that is a different topic).

There is also a difference between a validation and a conversion. as mentioned before. The minimum for a conversion is a few flights hours, airlaw and a check ride.

In Australia you can get a Special Pilots license. this is only paperwork; see
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Converting foreign licences (http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90024)
But this is only good if you would like to fly VH-reg aircraft.

Honestly, It is hard to answer your question, because you are not clear with your question to why you need another PPL.

[Air_King]

i notice some people are asking why i need/want to convert my license and what country i plan to fly in.

i currently live in taiwan which doesnt have general aviation. so, no matter what i always need to go to another asian country to fly. i had been going to Philippines for last several years but lately i've been seeing way too many scams against pilots there. pilots are viewed as having money and can easily become targets of unscrupulous people. so, i have no desire to fly/visit there anymore.

so, i need to find another asian country to fly in since i still cant fly here in taiwan. i'm not too picky on what new country i will fly in, just as long as its in asia (thus not too far from taiwan) and isnt too much hassle to convert my PPL.

any suggestions?

[FMGCS]

You have a valid point. Although I would convert to a country where I like the club or the people, where the aircraft are available, and that is not too far from where I am. But that of course is a personal preference.

Any conversion is not a big deal really. Airlaw = airlaw. and if you are current on your flying skills, then the check ride should also be no problem. No country will let you do the full 40-50 hrs required for a PPL. All that matters is that you pass your check ride.

Good luck.

[ozthai]

Unless you are a Thai citizen in Thailand you can only get a validation on your present licence.
If you want a Thai PPL you must start from the beginning and do all your training again.

(Thailand is for Thais only).

[Air_King]

@ ozthai: actually, i was just in Chiang-mai last month to do some flying and was hoping to convert my PPL at that time while i was there...so i was sad to learn that, as you said, thailand is for thais haha

thus i'm looking for other place now...

[Air_King]

FMGCS: sounds like you are pretty happy with where you are at? but u didnt mention where that is? you recommend i try there?

[FMGCS]

Flying mostly in Malaysia. But then again, there is a problem with the flying clubs, see some of the threads on this forum. Best is to get a FAA PPL and find a N-reg aircraft. That solves all your problems. Recurrent check is only every 2 years. And N-reg aircraft are available in most countries. People convert their aircraft to N-reg to make their life more easy. Also an IR rating is easier to obtain and maintain.

[Air_King]

@FMGCS: ya actually i did look into converting in malaysia but i was told that foreigners can only do it there if they live in malaysia and have a work visa...apparently the rules changed recently...and a lot of flight schools that depend on foreign pilots/students are not too happy about it...

sorry, i dontknow what you mean by N-Reg aircraft. can you tell me what u mean by that. as far as covnerting to FAA, i actually heard that its possible to do that in Palau or maybe Guam (since they are on FAA system). dont know if thats true. i havent been able to find any flight schools/clubs in Palau from my net searches.

anyone flown/converted in Palau/Guam?

[MaintainYourHeading]

N-Reg mean registered FAA aircraft carrying the November registration letter.