Question about training in the UK with an ICAO PPL(A)
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: London
Question about training in the UK with an ICAO PPL(A)
I'm just starting an ICAO PPL(A) in Canada with the intention of returning to the UK (with about 50 flying hours) once it has been completed and continuing on to do my Night Rating, Instrument Rating, ME Rating, EASA CPL(A), and ATPL. However, I'm struggling to find out if this will be possible. My question is, will I need to convert my PPL to an EASA licence back in the UK? Or just have it validated by the CAA? Or will it be possible to continue training without doing anything?
I'm really struggling to find a straight answer to this online and I've come across multiple viewpoints and opinions so any help is greatly appreciated!
I'm really struggling to find a straight answer to this online and I've come across multiple viewpoints and opinions so any help is greatly appreciated!
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,975
Likes: 327
From: Hong Kong
You can validate your PPL. This is much easier from an FAA licence, and it is valid forever. I suggest you do the paperwork conversion to get the FAA certificate as well. (It’s just a medical and a 20 question exam, no flying)
If it is your intention to go all the way, let me save you about £20k right now - get as much flying over there as you can, it’s half the price. Also, get an IR. If you play your cards right, you can convert it a lot cheaper than a full course back home. *Always* do your EASA CPL Last - start the course with 185 hours. If you do your CPL first which requires 200 hours, then get your IR, you’ll go massively over budget. Simulators are great, but you’ll be paying for hour building anyway, so you might as well do as much IR training during that phase as you can, it’s virtually free (just the instructor)
Whatever you do, don’t just get a PPL then rent a plane and fly it around for 100+ hours padding your logbook, that’s time wasting, not time building. You’re about to embark on the greatest, most expensive adventure of your life, so plan it wisely. I flew around in circles and wasted money when I could have got an IR, a float plane rating, tail wheel etc. learn from my mistake.
If it is your intention to go all the way, let me save you about £20k right now - get as much flying over there as you can, it’s half the price. Also, get an IR. If you play your cards right, you can convert it a lot cheaper than a full course back home. *Always* do your EASA CPL Last - start the course with 185 hours. If you do your CPL first which requires 200 hours, then get your IR, you’ll go massively over budget. Simulators are great, but you’ll be paying for hour building anyway, so you might as well do as much IR training during that phase as you can, it’s virtually free (just the instructor)
Whatever you do, don’t just get a PPL then rent a plane and fly it around for 100+ hours padding your logbook, that’s time wasting, not time building. You’re about to embark on the greatest, most expensive adventure of your life, so plan it wisely. I flew around in circles and wasted money when I could have got an IR, a float plane rating, tail wheel etc. learn from my mistake.
