Going to the USA to do ratings
 

Hi All,

Having seen how cheap it is to fly in the USA compared to the good old AUS, I'm thinking of making a trip of it and doing tailwheel and seaplane ratings at the end of the upcoming season.
I am aware as a CASA CPL holder you can get your license "Validated" by the FAA and issued a license based on your CASA one.
Does anyone know the process of getting ratings/endorsements added to the "Validated" license, and then getting CASA to acknowledge these on your CASA license.
Hopefully someone has got some experience in this field.
Cheers

Just bear in mind the FAA will only issue a PPL based off the foreign 'base" licence no matter what the class of licence held on your base licence CPL/ATPL etc.
The process is straight forward, take your Aus licence/medical/logbook into a FSDO in the US and they will issue you a temp certificate on the spot.

It used to be fairly straight forward with CASA and recognition of foreign ratings, just produce a record of your training and evidence of the rating on your foreign licence, pay a fee and CASA will issue the licence.
As for the bureaucratic dogs breakfast that we all know as CASA I'm sure this process is now an absolute nightmare!!!

PC,

Here ya go:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/61.75

Pretty sure you can’t ‘add’ any FAA ratings to your validated Aussie license.

you need to have an FAA license in its own right to be able to add to or upgrade it in the FAA world.

In USA there is no tailwheel rating. There is only a tailwheel logbook endorsement. Simply fly a "conventional gear" aircraft with a competent tail wheel instructor and, if/when the instructor is satisfied you are competent, you will receive a logbook endorsement. I don't know if the experience or endorsement will allow you to fly tailwheel when you get home.

Single engine and multi engine sea can be additional ratings or the first rating issued. Both require a flight test with FAA examiner or a designee.

You can add ratings to your validated certificate in the USA. I did that with my single engine seaplane rating. Your FAA certificate will include the words 'US test passed' this will mean that if/when you do get a standard FAA certificate you will not need to take this checkride again. I did this when I did an FAA ATP some time after I got my Part 61.75 certificate based on my foreign (Australian) certificate.

Where in Aus are you located? Tailwheel can be done cheaply here if you know where to look. I just did my tailwheel endorsement for about a grand including two days of accommodation in NSW. Did it in an RA aircraft but the endorsement will be recognised by CASA too. Granted it was only that cheap because I managed to get signed off in 3.9 hours, may take longer depending on how quickly you get the hang of it. I know the US is cheap but for such a quick endorsement I wouldn't make the trip, might be worth it for seaplane I guess.