EASA theory exams center in or near Australia?

[dive and drive]

Hello everybody,
I'm a stood down airline pilot here in Australia with a lot of time on my hands at the moment
I could take advantage of this unplanned time off to complete the EASA ATPL theory exams. As I hold both Aussie and European passports, an EASA license might prove useful in the future when (if) things pick up.
The problem is, where can I sit the exams when borders start opening up? Do I need to go to Europe every time?
I'm aware both the Irish and Austrian CAAs have theory exams centers in Florida, but for me it would be easier to fly to London Luton where there's an Austrian CAA exam center.
Are you aware of any EASA centers closer to this part of the world?

[CFD]

You could try this lot - they are listed on the UK CAA website as an international venue
Malaysia Aviation Academy (MAvA)
Jalan Pekeliling 2
Sepang 64000

[deadc]

A few years ago I looked into it. At that stage you could sit exams in Adelaide. This was for a UK ATPL and the UKCAA had an exam venue there, some hook up with the Hong Kong CAA and Cathay doing ATPLS there. I suggest you email UKCAA and see if it is still possible, they were a pleasure to deal with. Not sure how Brexit is going to affect it all. Good luck!

[dive and drive]

Thanks guys. On the 1st January 2021 the UK will officially leave, among other things, EASA, so the UK CAA will unfortunately become irrelevant for an EASA conversion.

[DeltaT]

Make sure to do research on this, think of who your target airlines are. Flying in "Europe" sounds like a multitude of operators you can apply for, but the reality is most have other language requirements as well as English as part of their own protectionism. If you have another nationality/language ability then good luck. Also, given the way they work over that part of the world, there is not the conversion hurdles you might think. Getting a Irish licence used to be just a paper formality to convert to UK, for example, and for some was a easier path. "Not recognised" doesn't necessarily mean repeating tests like it does downunder.
Read some info here

If you end up ok with a UK licence, you can also call L3 in Hamilton NZ and see whats available.

[dive and drive]

Originally Posted by DeltaT

Also, given the way they work over that part of the world, there is not the conversion hurdles you might think. Getting a Irish licence used to be just a paper formality to convert to UK, for example, and for some was a easier path. "Not recognised" doesn't necessarily mean repeating tests like it does downunder.

Thanks mate. I'm fully aware from the beginning of next year and for the following 2 years the conversion from an EASA to an UK national licence will be an easy process while it won't be the case the other way around. That's why for now I'm only interested in other European CAAs and only interested in EASA conversion.

There is a relatively straightforward licence validation process that allows you to fly in Euroland for up to two years before having to fully convert to EASA and maybe that's what you're pointing at.

Unfortunately if one wants to fly in Europe for more than 2 years sooner or later he/she has to sit the 14 ATPL exams.

Originally Posted by DeltaT

If you end up ok with a UK licence, you can also call L3 in Hamilton NZ and see whats available.

I called them a couple of years ago and they didn't have approved facilities to sit theory exams. I might give them another call now but I doubt much changed since.

[Droste]

Originally Posted by CFD

You could try this lot - they are listed on the UK CAA website as an international venue
Malaysia Aviation Academy (MAvA)
Jalan Pekeliling 2
Sepang 64000

Due to Brexit.

MAvA no longer conducts EASA papers.

[Cormac Hudson]

Hi guys,
Just reading this post and wondering how did you go finding out information about doing the conversion,
Im looking into getting my CPL MECIR converted over to EASA and doing the 14 exams. Seems I will have a better chance finding possible employment over there.
If anyone has any suggestions of schools or best way to approach this I would be very greatful.

cheers

[Fluke]

Not quite an answer to your question but just to show how fickle the process is ! I use my EASA ECG and blood tests for my CASA medical and do foreign IPC’s with EASA examiners. A gotcha is that CASA doesn’t recognise all the EASA aviation authorities! Austria 🇦🇹 is one they have trouble with, Greece 🇬🇷 Is another. Check the latest 61-4P CASA form , for the list of agencies.

[redsnail]

Hi Cormac,
I am sure you're aware that UK isn't in EASA anymore. Therefore, depending on where you can move to will depend on where you can work.
Malta is quite flexible but I don't have any info WRT exams and schools. Austrocontrol - bloody expensive either way.
If you have any Irish connections, I'd definitely explore that.
When the UK was still in EASA land, I could SOLI my lic to a Dutch one.

There is "hope" that some common sense will prevail but with Grant Schapps the Transport Minister in the UK, there's not really much chance.

[Cormac Hudson]

Thanks Guys,
Yes the UK thing has complicated things for sure, I’ve spoken to a flight school in Poland and they have told me it would be better off converting my PPL and doing all training again for CPL ME & IR,
This seems a bit extreme and expensive,
I have a European passport being Irish &
I’ve been advised to contact this polish crowd as there directly linked with Ryanair.

Anyway I better keep researching & hopefully I can find something that doesn’t completely bankrupt me 😅