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JamesTigris
4th Feb 2011, 21:13
I am applying to CASA for a Certificate of Validation in order to fly on my UK PPL. The supporting guidance states that

"if you do not have an ELP 4/5/ or 6 recorded on your overseas flight crew license you will need to be assessed by a CASA authorised Approved Testing Officer (ATO) at one of the approved Testing Centres"

My license only has "English Proficiency: English" which is described as not being acceptable to CASA.

How do I go about getting this bureaucratic loophole closed? Is it simple to get the test completed while I am out there? If there are any instructors used to people going through this route, or any UK pilot's who have done it before, I would be very grateful for some guidance.

I am just applying for a CoV, not to convert my license to an Australian PPL.

RENURPP
4th Feb 2011, 22:44
Call the local flying school, they should be able to assist, if not directly put you onto ome one who can.

thorn bird
6th Feb 2011, 07:26
Mate, hate to tell you this but as you are actually from England
our "ReGuLator" will probably consider there is no way you could possibly speak English!!...they will probably require you to undertake and English Proficiency test conducted by Mr. Asbah Sing...as long as you can say
"I am thanking you from the heart of my bottom"..with the inflection and candence is correct you should have no problem, just remember to wobble your head as you say it!!!

YPJT
6th Feb 2011, 07:38
I recall hearing of someone who had a similar issue about this before. The problem being that the oz flying schools, by the regs, can only do the language proficiency for the issue of an Australian licence. Maybe it's changed since so if anyone knows different, please post the up to date info.

Speak to the school where you will be doing your CofV or hiring from to get their advice before you head out.

Welcome to dealing with CASA and remember their motto "We're not happy until you're not happy"

Artificial Horizon
6th Feb 2011, 17:50
I dealt with this last year, my UK ATPL with English Proficiency was not good enough for CASA and I had to do a proficiency check. Your two options are to find an approved flight testing officer at a flying school, I would think where ever you are going to be based for your flying out in oz will require you to do a check ride, you may be able to know off two birds with one stone. You can also book a proficiency check with a group call ASL (Aviation Services Ltd) who conduct all aviation written exams. This is what I did, it cost me $100 for the experience. It was the most ludicrous things I have even been asked to do in any of my flying career (and that is saying something). You go to the testing centre and then sit in a room and talk down a phone line at a computer who asks you to record responses to questions. You then wait 7 days for the result to be determined before they turn around and say 'hey, you can speak english!!'.

Of course your other option is to pop into your flying school in the UK and ask the resident 'checker' to fill out the form for level six english. Pay the UK CAA 25 quid and bobs your uncle. The only reason the UK licence has no 'level' attached to it is because the gave everyone with a current licence ' grandfather rights' of english proficiency with everyone to be assessed at somepoint in the future when they complete their next checkride.