CASA licence conversion

[Jimny]

Hello all,

I'm sure somebody posted something similar to this before but I couldn't find it.

I'm trying to convert my CPL(H) to a CASA (Australia) one.

The human factor bit is "easily" understood but the Air Law troubles me.

How do you know in which book too look? There's a few:

CASR
CAO
CAR
AIP
ERSA

If anybody has an easy way to remember where to find which info I'll be greatfull. The first three above I find confusing .

Low & slow

/Jimny

[Arrrj]

Jimny,

Do not worry mate, we are all confused by the numerous documents issued by CASA !

The best solution is to get hold of private study books...there are a few guys here producing them. They have practice exams as well.

Bob Tait being one. Google is your friend and will provide you with the answers.

Having flown here and in the UK, it is a lot less complex flying here (at the moment, pre EASA rules being introduced) than the UK.

AIP and ERSA are the ones you fly with...the others are written by lawyers to confuse you !

Also, there are a few guys acting as tutors, this is a good investment and they will sort out the BS from reality for you.

All the best,
Arrrj

[bigglesbutler]

Hi Jimny,

Yup it appears a minefield but I got through it to do my ATPL's (JAR to CASA) and there is one name to sort it all out for you (no affiliation btw) AFT. They have the best comprehensive texts and online practice tests. But use Bob Tait for the IREX without a shadow of a doubt.

You will need the whole set of books to become acquainted with how the rule structure is set out.

Good luck

Si

[EI-tom]

Hi Jimny,

I converted my CPL(H) to CASA there last year and I did it all with Heliwest in Perth. They were a big help and will do the flying requirement with you as well. Pm me if you have any other questions

Tom

[jungliebeefer]

Hi there,

I'm just going through the same process for the ATPL(H). There is a great cross referenced index in the AFT documentation, that covers all of the Air Law documents - are you allowed to take this into the exam with you?

Cheers JB

[MartinCh]

various docs can be downloaded online.

What's your timeframe? You can only sit the written tests onshore (in Australia).

You can study/prepare before heading over, if you're not in Australia already.

I got myself Bob Tait's air law and human factors books for CPL, which (together with studying other docs) are the two exams needed for CPL to CPL conversion.

air law is open book exam, ie bringing tons of docs and finding reference and then interpret/realise what the legalese question is asking. The 'indexing'/highlighting etc has been restricted more recently.

I'd also recommend Heliwest in Perth. I had some delays/hiccups regarding my FI conversion (thank you CASA, NOT) so I havne't done the CPL bits as I wanted to do it together to avoid extra 10% VAT/GST post-CPL flight test.

AFT is also often recommended online. When I looked around for international postage, Bob Tait school was flexible and had it cheaper international postage (no GST for offshore destination).

[Arm out the window]

CASR
CAO
CAR
AIP
ERSA

If anybody has an easy way to remember where to find which info I'll be greatfull. The first three above I find confusing.

There is a hierarchy of orders, sometimes confusing, but basically the Civil Aviation Act is parliamentary law that sets the scene for rule making regarding Australian aviation.

These give rise to the regulations (CAR) which have some specifics but often lead on to the orders (CAO) which are more detailed (still a bit hard to decipher on a first, or even tenth, reading).

CASR are where we are (supposedly) going, a more ICAO compliant system of rules which may or may not fully supersede the old system this September! At the moment some of them co-exist with CAR.

The AIP is more user oriented, less legally written - includes the AIP book, ERSA.

CAAP - advisory publications - aren't legally binding but provide suggested ways of complying with rules and regs.

All of these are available online from CASA and/or Airservices Australia websites, happy reading ...

[Jimny]

Cheers for all these answers,

I have already got the AFT book and they're OK but I find that sometimes they assume you know all the abbreviation in Aussie aviation and which book to open for whatever question. Same thing with human factor I think they assume you already know quite a lot, less of a problem in my case since it was similar to the FAA and JAA HF but if you haven't study the material before (supposedly the same material is used for PPL training) you might struggle to understand it all.

I guess I'm stuck just "learning questions" instead of trying to understand when to open which book (although you can get quite far with just the AIP).

I thought the flying in Australia was simpler!

[MartinCh]

CASR are where we are (supposedly) going, a more ICAO compliant system of rules which may or may not fully supersede the old system this September! At the moment some of them co-exist with CAR.

It better F DOES. I have had enough hassle/letdown by certain CAO stipulation and very protracted response from CASA about NOT acknowledgeing half of my FI training in US, which won't be needed once the new Part 61 starts. Well, it didn't, ta-daah. Already disliking stuff with only Class 1 medical in hand issued by CASA so far.

Flying itself is the simple bit. It's the bureaucracy, jumping hoops, getting ASIC, filling forms, that's PITA. Just like anywhere.

BTW, AFT is better in terms of helicopter specific studies, Bob Tait's stuff is aimed at fixed wing, but besides HLS/HLZ and fuel reserves, I presume the air law doesn't have that much more for CPL written test candidate (unlike all the AOC headache or maintenance that's helicopter specific).