UK to Oz emmigration

[Busbo]

Hi all,

A little advice would be appreciated. I'm currently considering a move to Oz and therefor need to look into the conversion of my UK, currently still frozen, ATPL into a CASA equivalent. I did try the search function first but the only threads I could find were years old and not entirely relevant anyway.

I currently have around 1000 hours, most of which on 737 classics. I went the integrated route so I have under 100 PIC which I realise limits me in the Australian job market. I also understand the difficulties of getting airline work out there but quite fancy the idea of doing some "real flying" anyway so am open to all possibilites.

Has anyone done a similar thing with suggestions to make? Any particular schools better than others for the conversion training? Any dos or don'ts?

I've been mulling over this for a while and have thought of plenty more questions than this but have gone a little blank at the moment. Generally, any tips welcome (except, "stay out pom, there's no jobs anyway").

[Lasiorhinus]

Originally Posted by Busbo

I currently have around 1000 hours, most of which on 737 classics. ...but quite fancy the idea of doing some "real flying" anyway so am open to all possibilites.

What were you doing on the 737, if not "real flying"? Were you just making the coffee?


You can convert your foreign Commercial Licence into an australian commercial licence by contacting CASA, submitting some paperwork, and taking (i believe) the CPL Air Law exam. Sorry to say, but your 'frozen ATPL' means absolutely nothing over here.. we call that a commercial licence, instrument rating, and a whole heap of pommy exams that you'll have to sit again over here to get your atpl anyway.

The conversion process is easy, but if I were you, I'd serisouly consider continuing to drive that little 737 for another 500 hours, so you convert an ATPL in the first place, not a CPL and then be up for a truckload more exams.

[Busbo]

Thanks for the reply. I think most people know what I mean by "real flying". I'd like to be a good pilot rather than just a good operator.

I will for sure get my ATPL un-frozen. I don't really have the option to move that quickly anyway, I'm looking at more like two years minimum.

Good to hear the conversion is so easy. Have you done it yourself? Any suggestions where to do it?

[Lasiorhinus]

You can only do it through CASA.

The exams, though, are done through our online exam system, so you pay money to a company who supervise you sit an exam. Sometimes the computer breaks, and they make you come back a few days later.