Converting to EASA license in Europe (including theory studies)
 

Hi all

So I have attempted distance studying for the 14 EASA theoretical exams 1.5 years ago, but didn't have any success so I gave up for the time being... I simply cannot self study such a vast amount of material on my own and would require some sort of class theory prep along with home study to successfully pass all the exams.

My situation currently is as follows: I have a Canadian CPL with multi IFR rating and just over 260 hours. I am also an EU citizen and have thought about moving back to Europe for a long time, hence the need to convert to my license. I am very willing to make the jump and do all the conversion process somewhere in Europe. I understand that the costs will be substantially higher if I were to do a lot of in class study, but I am willing to take on that burden. Currently I am not moving nowhere near the direction I want and maybe this big change/leap will help, but I won't know unless I try. What I do know is that distance learning didn't work 1.5 years ago and knowing myself it probably won't work now either (I'm generally terrible at self studying). If anybody can recommend a school to do everything, or has done the same process I am thinking of doing, any advice and help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Bristol Groundschool. They are not cheap, but they are good ;) . Study material there is also understandable. Sometimes bit of funny descriptions here and there, but its pretty good readable. Not to much of overload such as Oxford theory. In BGS there is also a good questionbank included.

Good luck with this big burden.

I actually bought Phil's ground school package but I couldn't put myself to read through all the material... there is way too much info for me to be able to read it all in a reasonable amount of time and then actually practice some questions. In my opinion there are certain topics which can never be replaced by proper in person explanations... at least for me I feel that's the case as through out my training in Canada I learned some things much better by having someone explain it to me then me reading it.

In no way am I knocking the material. From what I did read the material seems great and Phil definitely knows his stuff, but it's just not my learning style, be it Phil's material or any other distance learning. That said, I know Phil has consolidation days but from what I'm seeing, there is no full on ground school with a class of say 20 students... I would need to be a millionaire to get private lessons

As for bristol groundschool, I have known about them for a while but they don't offer the actual flying portion of the training and I would've liked to do everything at one school rather then finishing ground school and having to find a flight training unit. I will email them and ask what the cost and time duration would be, the site doesn't give a whole lot of info

A- Get Transport Canada to give you a license verification letter. Without that, your license isn't valid here
B- Make sure if you choose to write your written exams, say in UK, the country that is going to issue the license actually recognizes the UK writtens. Just because they are all EASA, it doesn't mean they are all interchangeable (Trust me on this one!!!)
C- The quality of training in Canada was based on sound knowledge. If you knew your stuff, you got through the TC writtens. What I found out in Bristol was that despite the amazing instructors and the GS training, you gotta hit the QB very HARD and memorize the heck out of it cause the time frame isn't enough to analyze every bit and piece.
D- Despite the rules and regulations, every country will give you a different estimate on extra amount of flight hours you need to fly for CPL or IFR conversion. Remember, its not just a conversion process, its also a money making game. So choose your school (location) carefully.
PM me if you need more info.
Good luck dude

Hi warlock, thanks for all your points. I am aware of some of the things you pointed out, and would have to agree with you on everything you said. Please check PM as I would like some more info. Thanks!

We used to do full time but there wasn't really the market - or, if there was, nobody turned up at the same time! :) That said, your Canadian knowledge will be good for around 50% of the exams - and if you bought the package (even that long ago) you are still in credit with us and can carry on......

Phil

That's a shame, I would've really loved to do in class at your school. I know I spoke to you about carrying on with the material but I just don't see myself pulling through on my own, too many distractions to be able to self study, it's just how it is for me. I'm still very young all things considered, so If I do it I need to be 100% focused on it, not working a full time job and having zero energy or motivation to self study.

OK - but if travel is a problem we are allowed to do some of it with videoconferencing. Mind you if I get back to Canada I will let you know. I have been asked to do some CRM courses, and we are friendly with an EASA ATO in Montreal.