the UK
 

Could anyone (particularly from NZ or Aussie) who has moved to the UK please advise how lengthy and expensive the process of licence conversion is, and whether the opportunities are good for someone at my level?
I've got just under 1400hrs TT with a tad over 300 multi, most of it Part135. Right of abode in the UK. I believe the process is slightly easier if total time exceeds 1500hrs?

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Bn2pigsfly,

you need to track down a poster by the name of Redsnail. She went through the exercise few years back and could maybe give you some advice.

A friend of ours just came back from a lengthy stint in the Channel Islands. Great work but the cost of living was a killer.

Bn2
 

G'day mate,

You cannont convert an Aus ATPL to a JAR equivalent unless you have 500 hours multi crew experience in an aircraft certificated for two or more pilots. There are exeptions to this (I did mine in a van) if local regulations require two pilots bacause of national law.

The process is no easier if you have 1500 TT. It gets easier if you have 1500 hours on JAR 25 aircraft.

You will however be able to convert to a JAR CPL/IR. It is expensive and requires:

Study approved course and sit 14 JAR ATPL exams. (you can do this in Perth)
Initial Class one Medical (ICAO Renewal if Aussie Class 1) at Gatwick
CPL training, usually 5-7 hours
CPL test
IR conversion(min 15 hours)
IR test.

I have a few mates who have done this and I think they spent about GBP 8,000.

Go to the CAA website and read LASORS. Its all in there.

There are lots of jobs here. There are also lots of applicants with low hours. At the moment a type rating will almost certainly get you a job somewhere.

Gday there mate. Just completed my conversion in Feb, 8000 pounds not even close. more close to 11000 if you dont even think about type rating. There seems to be alot of jobs out there but heaps of low time pilots. From what ive been told is to work around the airline recruitment process. Airlines recruit in August and normally start training in December in time the next summer season, so dont come here expecting to jump straight into airline in the out of the recruitment period unless you have paid for your type rating, only a lazy 25k GBP.
Good luck

I echo what is said above. In CAA fees alone for exams, tests and medical, all 1st time passes I spent close to GBP3000!!
You can do the flying on the cheap in the USA and Spain/Greece. I did it all in UK.
These are approx figures:
CAA Fees - 2850
Mandatory Ground School - 2000 distance learning
CPL - As required. Average 5 + 2 for test. 1200 + 360
IR - 10sim + 5 AC + Test: 1500+1750+560
MCC: From 2000-4500 depending on sim used.
Depending upon airline TR circa 18000+

So there is an approx minimum from the UK :eek: I would hazard a guess that most go over by at least an hour per course.

You do have a better chance of getting onto some big metal, but there are still plenty of guys applying for the jobs... What ever you choose good luck:ok: