Air Asia (WITHOUT POLITICS PLS!)

[BritishGuy]

Just as the other Air Asia thread was getting a little outta control, I thought I'd start another one which would be helpful to us pilots who're sticking to the task in hand.

I put in my application about 2 weeks ago, but have heard nothing as yet. Ok, ok, so I have an FAA licence and honestly am not holding my breath on this one, but if it were to happen, then hey, would be a God sent!

What do I have to do in order to convert my FAA licence to a Malaysian one. Who is the Local Aviation Authority around there. Any website at all?? Any idea how many exams I'd have to take etc??

Please, I'm really looking for genunie help and answers here, so please, keep the politics out of this thread and can we have some help instead.

Thank you all to those who answer.

Regards.

[Usman]

What a British guy doing with a FAA lic which is useless in Malaysia.

There are some Malaysian with FAA lic who could not convert it.

Try the Phillipines or Indonesia.

[BritishGuy]

Usman, the question wasn't whethers other Malaysians couldn't convert it. The question was HOW do I go about converting. If anyone can shed light on that topic, it'd be appreciated.

Whats a British Guy doing with a FAA ticket? Well, why not? Answer that one sunshine!

Bloody hell! After doing a little research on the net I found that you have to do 17 exams to get a Malaysian Licence. In the UK It's 14 exams. I've passed 10 of them so far. Taking another 4 in 2 months time.

Ok, one more question......If I have a UK CAA Licence, will it be possible for me to get a straight conversion to a Malaysian Licence. The only reason I say this is because, it seems that the Malaysian authority has based most of it's stuff on the UK authorities stuff. Can anyone help me out with this one.

Thanks again.

[malaysian eaglet]

I am afraid you will have to pass through ground school again. Malaysian licenses are based on the UK systems and FAA licences are considered too weak to be recognised. You can contact MFA (Malaysian Flying Academy) ([email protected]) (606 317 4026 ) they must be able to give you the details of what you need and can provide an assistance.
In the best of case at least "LAW"exams must be attended.
Regards

[BritishGuy]

Hey really appreciate the advice there. I'll look into it. Just one more work Malaysian Eaglet.....If I have a UK CAA (JAA) licence, I'm assuming that I'll only have to do the airlaw exams right? Or naively wrong?

Advice would be appreciated.

[sony]

check your pm's British Guy.

Cheers

[CI54]

Hi British Guy,

Have a friend who converted his FAA license to Malaysian license. He did all the basic papers (CA6, Performance, HPL, all Malaysian DCA papers), had to do some single engine flying (approx 50 hrs), took the check ride for CPL, did twin engine flying for his multi engine rating, and did his IR check. It took him about a year to get Malaysian CPL/IR. Luck was on his side (and he's also a local), today he is a B737 commander in MAS.

I'm sure you can do it but I think you will have to go through the whole thing that my friend went through...

[fly33]

Hello Britishguy,
What I can say , you don't need to do all the exams to get a MALAYSIAN CONVERSION with a FAA license .
You will only need to do an airlaw exam but that's not a problem . Then a flight test but this is what the company arranges for you .
Don''t think you need to do all the exams unless you want a full conversion and wants the Malaysian License . But you can fly 737's and enjoy the Malaysian skies with just a conversion . You can always study while you already flying if you need /want the full Mal. licence.
Believe me that's what I had to do , only airlaw ! Go for it cause it's great in Malaysia , you will enjoy it !
I will try to see if I can get the contact person of their CAD who deals with conversions/licnese etc ......

[perceval]

DCA malaysia has an official website , can't remember it offhead but it should be easy with a search engine .I seem to remember that the gist was a case by case basis , depending on licences held, experience , type of a/c flown and to be flown in MY .I believe that they will only let you convert a CPL or ATP if you have a contract or promise of employment .Something like that .
good luck .

[Goldwing2000]

Britishguy

All is not what it seems to getting a Malaysian licence. Sometimes it can be straight forward and sometimes not! Basically as you quite rightly pointed out the Malaysian licence IS based on the old British CPL or ATPL licences(now obviously supeceded by the JAA licence) but with added Malaysianism attached. The DCA likes to think that they are in control but as most of the exams come from the international division of the CAA at Gatwick one can only say that it's frankly a British exam as all the questions are set by British examiners.
The first thing to do to converting your FAA licence to a Malaysian CPL/IR licence is have a chat with a DCA examiner. Unless you have been offered a job with an airline desperately in need of pilots then I will bet my last dollar that you will need to do all the technical exams PLUS all the navigations exams with the added pleasure of performance A. The flying bit will involve multi engine flying to obtain your instrument rating. One word of caution though,whatever you get from the DCA ,have it in WRITING as they have the tendecy to misplace documents and not back up what they have said verbally.
Now, if you come to Malaysia with a JAA or British Cpl/IR or fATPL then the conversion is painless and very swift. I believe the only thing required is to do the local Air Law. This might be your best route as you have already sat some exams.
The DCA has a website and you can find this through google. I hope the above will prove useful and if you need any more info then don't hesitate to email me.


Goldwing2000

[Usman]

There I told you....its like taking a new licence all over again.

[fly33]

Hi again,
Yes, PERCEVAL and GOLDWING200, are correct ....as I had a job offer and was sent by the company to the DCA and just had to do airlaw exam . But I only had a conversion not the malaysian license but yes no need to have it right as long as you can fly . And as said , if you would be around in KL best to go to the DCA and find out ....the guy of licening is helpful . Happy flying over there....

[BritishGuy]

Hi Fly33.....please check your PM's please. Thanks

[QNH1013]

About 3 years ago I got my full UK CAA CPL IR with Frozen ATPL. I managed to get a Malaysian Licence by just doing the Air Law exams. BUT, this process may have changed so please check with the Malaysian DCA. At that time they fully recognised the UK licences. With others like the Australian and FAA ones you had to do exams and flying.

British Guy, you may go through all the trouble to get a Malaysian licence but are you a Malaysian Citizen or do you have Malaysian Permanent Residency? Because at the moment Air Asia are not taking in any expats. I will post any news if I ever hear otherwise though.

[kwaiyai]

Hi British guy,
I was told that I would need to go for interview with DCA Inspector and probably would need to sit 2 Nav papers (similar to UK ones) Based on my UK ATPL. I allready have passed Malaysian Air law as a requirement for my CPL issue here. You will also have to pass IR flight test, I dont want to spoil your day but we had visit from chief pilot of Air Asia recently who said they would not be hiring expat FO's and the aim is to have an all Malay national workforce. I allready know of an experienced jet jock who has been messed around over work permit. Hope thats not the case but I train Cadets here so have good insight here.
Regards.
:cool:

[fly33]

Hi Britishguy check your PM

[Chocks Away]

Kwaiyai...message for you in PM:D

[kwaiyai]

Chocks Away-- Message recieved and reply sent, Cheers.:ok:

[SuperRanger]

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/6/28/business/twair27&sec=business

AirAsia planning RM150mil bonds

BY P.W. THONG
AIRASIA Sdn Bhd, Asia's only low-fare, no-frills airline, is in advanced negotiations with its merchant bankers on a RM150mil Islamic bond issue in three tranches. It could be rolled out as early as in September.

Its executive director, Kamarudin Meranun, said the company would decide next week, whether to issue the bonds on its own or through a structured deal with Exim Bank.

Irrespective of how the issue would be made, the company had been told the indicative rating for the bonds was “very favourable” – a rating of at least AA, Kamarudin said.

He added that AirAsia also planned to list on the KLSE main board in three to five years, most probably through an initial public offering (IPO) rather than a reverse takeover (RTO).

“We are not doing an RTO because we can get better value through other means of funding even without listing, such as placing out shares to new investors and issuing bonds,'' Kamarudin said, adding that the IPO would be used to fund the company's expansion programme in the longer term.

He was speaking to reporters in Putrajaya after AirAsia sealed an agreement yesterday to place out 26% of its shares to three investors – Bahrain-based IDB Infrastructure Fund LP, Saudi's Crescent Venture Partners, and Germany's Deucalion Capital II Ltd – for US$26mil (RM98.8mil).

Under the agreement, IDB would take up a 10% stake in AirAsia, Crescent Venture 9%, and Deucalion Capital 7%.

The share placement will involve a primary share issue of 21%, and 5% from the share sale of AirAsia's existing major stakeholder, Tune Air Sdn Bhd.

After the exercise, AirAsia's paid-up share capital will increase to RM100mil, from RM55mil; and Tune Air's stake in AirAsia will drop to 73.41%, from 99.25%.

AirAsia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said the new shareholders had valued AirAsia at US$100mil (RM380mil).

He added that the newly-injected capital would be used to further enhance the company's financial base, and to facilitate the company's expansion plans, including the recent purchase of four Boeing aircraft.

Last week, AirAsia entered into leasing and purchasing agreements worth US$100mil to increase its fleet by 11 aircraft.

The company would lease seven Boeing 737-300 aircraft and acquire four of the same from GE Capital Aviation Services. Upon full delivery by the middle of next year, the company would have 18 aircraft compared with seven now.

“AirAsia's new partners bring to the company an ideal combination of strategic value-add and increased financial strength,'' Fernandes said.

“AirAsia believes that this investment is a definitive confirmation of the company's success to date, its future potential and, ultimately, Malaysia's position in the international community as an exceptional location for investment.”

He reiterated that AirAsia would not push forward its regional expansion plan before establishing a foothold in the Malaysian market.

“We will not rush into the region. We want to stay clear, focusing on what we do best, that is, operating on efficient low-cost structure. We will not be pushed into doing this and that,'' Fernandes said.

Meanwhile, Richard Scanlon, vice-president for investment banking, Credit Suisse First Boston, the financial adviser to AirAsia, said that due to the recent Iraq war and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the share placement had taken longer to close.

Nevertheless, he said, the deal had attracted numerous investors, including those in the United States, Europe, and Singapore, as well as local investors.

“This exercise had attracted serious interest from not less than 10 international investors, some of them very prominent names,'' Scanlon said.

He said one reason for the strong interest in AirAsia was its superior return on investment.

“These international private equity investors will not invest in a company that carries an internal rate of return of less than 30%. The fact that there's been great interest in this airline company tells it all.''

[bateman]

The website is ..
www.dca.gov.my
go to the english language section, and you will find its typical aviation authority legalese. But it may help. Sounds like some of the other contributors have some practical info, so some dialogue with them might be worthwhile, especially those who have dealt with the DCA before.
I sent off my AirAsia application about 4 months ago, and have heard back zero. Im still having dreams about hot nights in Bangsar, beach club and the hard rock cafe in KL. For those who havent been to KL, its the hardest partying city in the world. And thats the lifestyle to have...
Best of luck

[cabiatir]

typical mat saleh ... learn more about the culture..

[Goldwing2000]

Cabatir,I certainly hope you weren't in the slightest bit being a racist by your remarks. Now if the foot was on the other shoe, instead of mat salleh it was 'Bumi' or 'chinky' what would have been your response!! There were supposedly racist remarks banded about on the other topics by Usman which other ppruners took exception to so please don't start one here! Remember Malaysia is a muti-racial country and proud to be so:)

Goldwing2000

[Slasher]

Ooooh Cabiatir you brazen shameless RACIST! :eek:

Bateman I know the places you talk about. On KL overnights there were always shindigs goin on somewhere in Bangsar or Pitaling Jaya. Plentey of cheap Carlberg booze, hot-blooded malay chicks, and rock n roll! The locals sure know how to realy party! :ok:

Wouldnt mind applyin myself if the pay was civilised.

[Bob Hawke]

But would you find anytime to go to work Slasher??

[bateman]

Actually, the first time I heard the term 'mat saleh' was in a taxi going from the Sheraton Imperial KL to Bar Flam. This taxi driver was gunning this clapped out proton through downtown KL at about 90, and started interrogating us about our night. He suggested that if we didnt have any luck with the girls, he could sort something out. When questioned, he whipped out this piece of cardboard with the following written on it in black nikko.

MENU

THAI 180
CHINESE 200
JAPANESE 350
MAT SALEH 500

I queried what the term 'mat saleh' meant, and was informed by my mates (staff at the sheraton), that it basically meant white girl.

[Goldwing2000]

What a choice on the menu? I'm sure you didn't go hungry!:p
Actually the term 'mat saleh' means white folks and can be used on both sexes.

Goldwing2000

[QNH1013]

Bar Flam? That's already quite a pick up joint, SPG's are popular there also. (ahem, so I've heard) Bangsar is generally great, food wise and an nice place to chill out. Hartamas is picking up too.

Anyway, to steer this thread back on to topic, AirAsia is embarking on Cadetships for young MALAYSIANS. Mind you, it's the low cost carrier way of a Cadetship in that they help you get a bank loan and then you pay back part of the cost of training thru salary deductions.

Qualified crew can still apply for direct entry then the'll help you get a bank loan for your 737 Type Course. At the end of the day it's a Jet Job right? As for Expat crew, keep your fingers crossed that the demand will be there so those of you interested, do keep your resume's ready and I and other's who are in the know, will keep you informed as we hear it.

Happy Landings.

[Bob Hawke]

Spoke to CP the other day, said that they wouldn't need Expats for a while, there are enough Malaysians apparently. Also rumours are that all the pilots under training at MFA are basically booked out by AA for jobs. In other words, do your training and your in, if you go through MFA and are Malaysian. Good luck to those guys.

I too have been applying for awhile as the present company, yes the Big Malaysian one, hasn't delivered on its promises - nothing new about that, just a typical organisational pathegen tumouring from inside.

When growth takes off (pun intended), I believe both companys: MAS, and AA are going to have to draw on Expats, one way or another. The Alternative: stagnate in growth.

[Goldwing2000]

Bob Hawke,

What you have said is basically right, though the well is going to dry up sooner rather then later. I heard a couple of months back that there aren't many Malaysians pilots left that aren't already flying. The only ones and there can't be that many are all in training at MFA or privately overseas. It takes approximately one year to get their frozen ATPL and this is if they all pass their exams first time! The CP of AA might be correct in what he says but I'm sure he hasn't factored in the demand from the other airlines like Mas and Transmile. Personally I can't see where all the extra pilots are going to come from especially in the short term.
As post-sars travelling increases and indoubtly it will, Mas has already started to increase their flights to all the affected areas, it won't be long before they start fishing around for more pilots as they did pre-sars. AA have some 11 B733 coming in less then 11 months and to sustain their growth will be looking to start flying regionally as the Malaysian market can only sustain so much before saturation occurs not withstanding the fact that Mas also flys domestically and they would certainly not what to lose any more ground to their illustratious low cost competitor. This increase competition is not only good for the public but looking very good for any Malaysian pilots and eventually for expat pilots. :ok:

Goldwing2000

[M.85]

HI goldwing.

Got an email from a Malaysian airline personel department asking for my passport nr..so they could write a letter to the DCA..after i saked him what it was for he replied not to worry its info for the new crews??..
Are they planning to get my licence converted?i have an FAA and JAA(UK)ATPL.

Thanks..

M.85

[BANANASBANANAS]

I have followed this thread with interest as I am a Brit with a UK CAA (JAROPS) ATPL looking to live and work in Malaysia. I think I have the residency requirements sorted but I am not sure about licensing requirements for either Air Asia or MAS. Can anyone shed any light on the situation as it sounds like there could be a lot of expat vacancies at both companies shortly and I would lkie to be in a position to take advantage.

[Goldwing2000]

M.85
If you have a JAA licence then no problems for the time being. I say that because no one at the DCA seems to know from one day till the other but as AA are very short of tech crew then I suppose the DCA will have to comply.
I've heard AA has already taken their first expat, a canadian with the January ground school consisting of only expats.
If you want to fly a nice aircraft and live in sunny Malaysia then go for it and apply. The airline is expanding rapidly so there's lots of opportunity. Good luck.

Goldwing 2000

[jack sparrow]

Very interesting developments. Have spent time in Malaysia & have Malaysian wife & kids. JAA ATPL and 737-300 with unfortunately 0 hours as my company has just type rated a few of us & then made us redundant due to finance problems. Applied a couple of weeks ago. Have to wait and see lah! I hope AA do give us a look-in, it would certainly settle us once and for all. Pity there arn't any Shorts 360s in Malaysia - I've plenty of hours on that.

Good luck to you all for 2004 guys!!

Jack Sparrow

[Aileron Roll]

Jack,

sounds like you have the right to live and work in Malaysia, Air Asia should snap you up, GOOD LUCK

[jack sparrow]

Aileron Roll

I don't think its that simple. Being married to a Malaysian doesn't give the me the right of abode or right to work there. Thats the way I understand it anyway. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. But lovely country, great people. We'd be back there if there was opportunity. Here's hoping though.

jack sparrow

[katana.flyer]

Jack

You are sadly correct being married to a Malaysian gives no automatic rights as far as I've found. I've been looking at the info here:

http://www.imi.gov.my/wife.html

I have also been advised that it only applies to wives of Malaysian's and not the other way around. It's only temporary anyway and I suspect won't work for Air Asia, who I guess want residency before job offer and not the other way around.

I think retirement offers my wife and I the best ticket home to Malaysia but not in my case for quite a bit...

[kwaiyai]

Hi Jack,
I am from UK and was very fortunate to be picked up not by AA but someone else. My UK ATPL has been converted too. At least apply cant harm, Good Luck.:ok:

[jack sparrow]

katana.flyer - thanks for the link, not exactly plain sailing for foreign spouses is it?

kwaiyai - well done, that's encouraging. enjoy mate.

jack

[jolly27]

Papee,

As far as I know, it has been DCA requirement that all pilots flying 7500kg aircraft or above are mandated to have an ATPL (frozen or otherwise).

In AirAsia's case, it would be advantages if you do your own rating; that way, they will not bond you for the next 7 years with a monthly pay cut of approx. RM700 or RM800. If I am not mistaken, they will arrange the loan from a bank and the monthly pay cut will go towards that loan. (provided you get into Air Asia)

For low timers, its a pretty good deal especially when you need the hours.

But your first step is to get the Frozen ATPL asap.

hav a jolly time flying