EASA to Japanese ATPL conversion
 

Could anyone provide some information about the conversion of an EASA ATPL with A320 type rating, to a Japanese ATPL please? Specifically, if one gets a job with a Japanese airline, what kind of exams are required and approximately how long does it take? Is there a database of questions for written and aural exams? Are there books one can obtain in advance to prepare before going there? Any other information regarding the training would be much appreciated. I am a captain on the A320 and I am considering applying to Peach Aviation.

Thanks in advance!

JCAB conversion
 

I'm Japanese and used to fly for one of the LCC in Japan and also taught classes for expat guys. To convert your EASA to JCAB with A320 type, you have to take one written exam which is air law, and that's it. To study for your written exam, I believe the airline will give you a ground school and probably a question bank to study. For sample questions, you can also goto JCAB website. I'll PM you for the link, because I cannot post any website address here (I got denied because I haven't posted here not enough... that's what it says :ugh:)

The best way to study is to get the English version of AIM-J. You can also browse through the AIPs. Just search 'AIS Japan' and you can create an account for free. English version is available.
You have to go through ATPL conversion training which probably lasts about 3 months (with ground school, SIM, etc..). Since you are already EASA A320 rated, probably you will do a shorter syllabus (I don't guarantee on this).

Good luck, and stay healthy.

Thank you very much! Please check pm.

Old days I realise - when did they get rid of the Radio exam??
Three days of "studying" radio waves and such then the exam.
An interesting insight into the Japanese bureaucratic psyche.

Cheers.

They didn’t 😆

To answer your questions from PM, depending on the examiner it can be good or bad. Weather questions are likely to be asked because Japan has a wide variety of weather pattern. Many questions will be from AIM-J. I think they won't ask much questions from A320 because you probably already know, so they focus more on AIM and 'how to fly in Japan' stuff. I know one examiner love to ask about aerodynamics, and some stuff that you probably already forgot from the old school days. It's always good to know the limitations and critical stuff that may relate to actual flying. I believe company have a question bank from oral exam. All airlines in Japan shares each examiners and inspectors oral question on every fleet.

SIM failure rate... now these days I don't hear many failure for the practical exam. Profile is straight forward. It's a 'show time'. Your SIM instructor knows how to pass the SIM check so just do what he says and you'll be fine. Japan is still Galapagos in aviation in many aspects, so you have to demonstrate VFR traffic patterns, minimum circle to land from instrument approach, and so on. At many airports, we still do visual approaches or minimum circle in IMC. I hear more failure in oral exam than practical.

Regarding Japanese Radio License, now these days I'm not too sure. I'm currently asking one of the staff regarding this. I'll post it here once I have an answer.

Good day and stay healthy!

Well I sat in class in 2002 whilst a lovely old bloke did the 3 days "training" followed by the required JCAB radio exam.

Cheers.

Exactly that. Still the same, except the exam is in house now

How long is the conversion now days if you are type rated?

at least 6/7 months. At least

Does the FAA license conversion process look like the same as described above?

FAA, ICAO all the same.
As for Radio License, from what I heard you have to go through a course but no exams.

For reference, my previous company have a syllabus for ICAO A320 rated pilot.
70 hours GS (non rated is 180 hours GS). This basically covers air law, ops manual, Emergency stuff and so on...
14 hours or 7 lessons of FFS + JCAB practical ck (non rated 28 hours or 14 lessons)
2 days of Line ops GS.
8 sectors OBS (usually done in two to three days)
4 sectors of PM and 50 hours of line training (mostly domestic routes) + JCAB Line ck (non rated is 100 hours). Two to four sectors per day.

Compare to 'Big Boys' like AJX and NCA, LCCs provide less training to save time (and costs), especially for experienced pilots. We had a big negotiation with JCAB regarding issue but they finally said yes to it. Some pilots argued that they don't have enough time to study because the schedule were packed so I think the training department leaned a little.

Info might be little old, but I don't think there are no big changes...

I know leaving your country and moving to Japan is a big challenge. Hope this little info gives you heads up what to expect.

Cheers and stay healthy

Thanks for all the info! How does this translate to ‘6/7 months minimum’ (as one gentleman said further up) for type rated pilots though? This is all reasonable and very similar to my last company in the Middle East, where from sign up to on the line, took exactly three months with a five day break in between!

Scheduling of several of your training items is at the mercy of outside organisations i.e. JCAB. While it looks like 3-4 months of work, your schedule will not be that smooth. For example arrive and do a week or two of induction then be told your Airlaw / Radio ground training will be in two weeks. Or you complete your line training and your final check will not be for a couple of weeks. Regular interruptions due to the bureaucracy turns 3-4 months of actual work into 6-7 months.

And hence to your first "lesson".
1. This is Japan.
2. They do things the Japanese way.

What the rest of the world do, how they do it, and in what time frames is irrelevant - refer to 1. and 2. above.

IF you're serious grab a pot of coffee or whatever and have a look at the AirJapan thread where all will be explained....and more.

Good luck,
Cheers.