CASA CPL-(H) to EASA CPL-(H) conversion

[Helibug]

Hi Bladeslapper community,

I would like to get a conversion of my Australian CASA CPL-(H) into the European EASA licence.

Does anyone have any experience, pointers or recommendations of places or companies in Europe?

Any information would be highly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

[Wannabe60Driver]

International Defense & Aerospace Group has USATS in Florida and does both FAA and EASA conversions. They also have Slovak Training Academy in Slovakia if you want to do it in Europe.

Shoot me a DM if you want me to connect you.

https://verticalmag.com/features/idag-d ... -training/

[ag-pilot]

I did mine a few years back. The first thing you need to get sorted is the exams. You need to do this through a school to be able to sit them, I did alot of self study and sat exams whilst over there working in stints, didn't find that way that easy but was the only practical way for me.
If you're moving over there that will help alot with exams, also I only sat the CPL exams as I was told the atpl involved alot more study but to be honest there wasn't that much difference in questions and just 1 extra exam.

The flying side is pretty straight forward just have to do the minimum of 8hrs (I think) and a flight test.

Things have changed recently in the UK due to brexit so there is only one flight school (in the UK) that can do any easa testing and they haven't been that helpful in the last couple of years with testing.

Cheers

[Fill-level]

If its just a CPL H casa to EASA or UK, then pretty much any ATO (approved training organisation) that as a syllabus for CPL can do the training.
The CPL flight test in the UK can only be done by the CAA, in Europe some schools have access to Examiners to do the flight test.

The exams as mentioned above are either 13 exams for CPL or 14 for ATPL. They can self studied in Australia with a course notes shipped from the UK or Europe , a compulsory on line "brushup" course is required to sit the exams.

The exams can be sat in Malaysia for the UK .

If you need any help , let me know.

[Ala rotante]

My experience,
EASA cover all countries in Europe but you will get the license for the country of conversion. So if you already know which country you are going to work do your conversion there. All countries examination are in English (12 exams and you need a minimum of 300 or 400 hours PIC) if you have a cpl you can converse for a atpl (13 exams) it’s easy to convert license within Europe ( German to Spanish license but new medical is required for each country and if didn’t change you can’t have more than one EASA license.
You will need also to sit the courses and register the hours of study online, this company in Italy, worth to call, offering a full self study package for 5000 euro (I know isn’t cheap) they pre test you to make sure you will pass the relative exams each time to not waste your time and money.
Have a look at their website, if you email them they reply in few days.

https://www.elifriulia.it/

It’s the English version somewhere to choose

Hope it help

[Skeeter]

I have to disagree with Ala rotante, I would be very careful where you do your conversion.
Some CAAs are easier to work with than others. Some are quite slow, others very expensive or super complicated.

I worked for a few years in a company with pilots from all over Europe as an examiner.
Where the licence was issued, was never a factor during hiring.

I have no clue how long the conversion will take you, but a lot of companies are desperately looking for pilots over there right now.
Especially if you have an IR.

[Ala rotante]

I have to disagree with Ala rotante, I would be very careful where you do your conversion.
Some CAAs are easier to work with than others. Some are quite slow, others very expensive or super complicated.

I worked for a few years in a company with pilots from all over Europe as an examiner.
Where the licence was issued, was never a factor during hiring.

I have no clue how long the conversion will take you, but a lot of companies are desperately looking for pilots over there right now.
Especially if you have an IR.

Yes Skeeter that’s correct if you can choose, I had to say ENAC (Italian for CASA) doesn’t make it easier. Medicals are run by the Airforce at two locations, Roma and Milano at the Airforce hospital ( do not expect special treatments, who like me spent few yeast in the military know what I mean) expect a full day examinations, they will find what your GP and probably you never suspected! Plus book at least 6 months in advance ( but price is cheaper than AU!)
Exams sitting only twice per year and again Roma or Milano but you can sit as many as you ready to sit, the best I was told was 6 in one day but normally 4 is reasonable.

My case I had free accomodation food and car from nonna close to the airport....I know I’m lucky!

[HannibalHk]

International Defense & Aerospace Group has USATS in Florida and does both FAA and EASA conversions. They also have Slovak Training Academy in Slovakia if you want to do it in Europe.

[Wannabe60Driver]

International Defense & Aerospace Group has USATS in Florida and does both FAA and EASA conversions. They also have Slovak Training Academy in Slovakia if you want to do it in Europe.

Brand new member and your first post is a direct copy/paste? Fishy much?

[HELO1]

Helibug,

How did you get on with the conversion? What process did you end up following? Curious as I am start looking into the same option as a possibility.

[Helibug]

Hi Helo1,

as it is a conversion from a foreign 3rd country ICAO licence into a Part-FCL EASA CPL(H) we have to go through the whole theory training and testing. 585h contact hours study (can be done as self-study with a very expensive online platform) plus 60h face-to-face study (basically sit in a course of your chosen flight school). Only then your flight school can sign you up for the theory examination dates. 13 subjects !!!!

I am going with HeliAustria and Austro Control as issuing authority (Austria). Since Brexit I would be careful if you choose the UK that you don't end up with an UK CAA licence.

NVFR is part of the EASA licence. That will have to be done during the parctical part.

I turns out it is an extremely time and money intensive excercise....I have been scrambling to find time for the study and flying full-time.

Please let me know if you end up going through the processes as well. Shared pain .

Good luck and always safe skies!

[Naycha]

Does anyone have a good estimate of how much this conversion would cost?

[Fill-level]

Does anyone have a good estimate of how much this conversion would cost?

Around $35K Australian , assuming you pass first time on the 13 exams and CPL skills test in the R22. The Cabri G2 will be higher.

[ag-pilot]

I completed mine in 18/19
Costs were approximately
CPL theory course £800
Exams £100 each sitting
Flying and test R22 and R44 £4700
IAA EASA issue €450
Then obviously there was travel ect on top of that.
Not a current cost but hopefully useful