View Full Version : Australian Special PPL
In Perth, WA a few months ago I got my UK JAR PPL validated for use down under. It cost about 50 dollars plus something like 25 bucks per rating and only lasted 3 months.
Last week I spoke to a very nice woman in Brisbane's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)and she said that a Special PPL (restricted to Day VFR but no time limit) might be a better bet, so that's what I did and, instead of a letter validating my license, they issued me a Special PPL in a wallet and waived the cost (about 50 bucks) as I should have been given that advice last time. Now I've got TWO licenses :-) and might see if I can get another when I get to the States.
I can't imagine the CAA at Gatwick doing the same.
Safe Flying.
awetzel
9th Jan 2002, 08:03
Have you done much flying around Australia since getting your lic validated? <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Fuji Abound
9th Jan 2002, 14:08
Did you have to do anything to get your lic. validated - flight test, local air law? Also do the Australians have the equivalent of our biannual?
Aussie Andy
9th Jan 2002, 14:59
Hi guys,
Very interested in this as I hope to be back in Australia for a time later year myself (I have a JAR-PPL(A)).
Basair in Sydney have a very informative page at <a href="http://www.basair.com.au/visiting.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.basair.com.au/visiting.shtml</a> which gives a lot of information. It mentions the "Special" license:
[quote]If a longer stay is required, then you can obtain a "Special Pilot Licence" which is based entirely on your overseas licence. This licence requires the same checks as the Certificate of Validation, but it will be valid for a longer period of time. A foreign pilot obtaining a Commercial Licence validation in this fashion will have the licence endorsed "not available for hire or reward". This means that you cannot work using your Commercial Pilot Licence. To remove this restriction, a full licence conversion is required.<hr></blockquote>
Cheers,
Andy
[ 09 January 2002: Message edited by: Aussie Andy ]</p>
Aussie Andy
9th Jan 2002, 15:02
str12 - I'd be very interested to hear any info on flying in Brisbane as I may be there for a while at some stage... where have you been flying from (Archerfield?), and can you recommend anyone for renting, preferably Warriors?
Cheers,
Andy
str12
10th Jan 2002, 04:56
Hi AA
I went to Archerfield and had a chat with the CFI at the Royal xxx Aeroclub. They were friendly and told me what to ask for at CASA.
They don't fly Warriors but have Cessnas (possibly Tomahawks) but there'a another club a few yards way that have PA28s.
I didn't fly from Archerfield but did some circuits at Redcliffe. No reason in particular but I try to give my business to smaller operations. Redcliffe were a good bunch and very friendly, plus they're on the coast just north of Brisbane so you don't need to fly far so see some coastal scenery. There's also a Tiger Moth operating from the airfield.
I lost my wallet just before leaving Perth so I didn't get the chance to fly the P51-D Mustang they have a Jandakot, otherwise I would have shelled out the 500 beer tokens for the 15 minutes of fun.
What I really wanted to do was get a couple of PPLs together and fly to Alice Springs from somewhere like Brisbane but I'm too slack.That would have been a good trip...
Hope to have been some help.
str12
logie_bear
10th Jan 2002, 05:36
Aussie Andy,
The club that str mentions could be Gil Layt's FS.
I did my PPL with them and spent a fair bit of time in their Warrior VH-BLD.
Not sure how it compares with the rest of the Warriors at Archerfield in terms of fitout or cost these days but I enjoyed all my time (40hrs) in it. Never a problem with booking it either. Pretty relaxed environment there, good for the private pilot.
Email me if you'd like more info or suggestions regarding flying in Brisbane.
l_b