FAA to CASA Commercial Conversion

[Ogaff47]

I’m an American Commercial (former military) helicopter pilot. I’m at the very tail-end of completing my CASA conversion.

When I was in the planning - early stages of the conversion, I searched the internet (and this forum) high and low for current and relevant helpful information and it was hard to find. Someone from this website helped me last year and I just wanted to pay it forward.

If anyone is out there looking for help on how to do this conversion, send me a message and I’ll coach you through the process. Be prepared to be broke, frustrated and angry.

Don’t give up!

[UnObvious]

Interested in the process of converting an FAA CFI to an Australian instructor rating.

CASA are fun to work with eh?

[Fill-level]

I assume you have a CASA CPL, if so sit the instructor rating theory examination , based on the FAA instructor rating . Be recommended by a ATO ,Find an examiner and sit the test . Depending on your hours you may get a grade 1,2,3.

[Ogaff47]

Interested in the process of converting an FAA CFI to an Australian instructor rating.

CASA are fun to work with eh?

I don’t have the solid information on this and haven’t seen it readily available on the CASA website. If you give them a call at 131 757 and select options 3 then 2, you’ll get through to the training and pilot licensing office. They’ll definitely have an answer for you within a few minutes. On the phone, they’re really quite helpful and pleasant to deal with; understanding too.

They’re requirements for document certification/endorsement, what they consider acceptable substantiating documents, and processing times can be rather frustrating.

Sorry couldn’t be more helpful. I’m working in the lowly CPL realm.

[UnObvious]

Interested in the process of converting an FAA CFI to an Australian instructor rating.

CASA are fun to work with eh?

I don’t have the solid information on this and haven’t seen it readily available on the CASA website. If you give them a call at 131 757 and select options 3 then 2, you’ll get through to the training and pilot licensing office. They’ll definitely have an answer for you within a few minutes. On the phone, they’re really quite helpful and pleasant to deal with; understanding too.

They’re requirements for document certification/endorsement, what they consider acceptable substantiating documents, and processing times can be rather frustrating.

Sorry couldn’t be more helpful. I’m working in the lowly CPL realm.

Great information, I'll give them a try. Thanks very much.

[BRIJ]

Hello, i am in process of converting my FAA CPL(A) to CASA, what is best to study for COSA exam and after completing exams i am required to go for two flight checks one CPL and then IREX how will they work ?

[Fill-level]

Hello, i am in process of converting my FAA CPL(A) to CASA, what is best to study for COSA exam and after completing exams i am required to go for two flight checks one CPL and then IREX how will they work ?

Have a look at the link below , good information there.

https://advancedflighttheory.com.au/ove ... onversion/

The IREX is an seperate theory exam.

https://advancedflighttheory.com.au/irex/

The CPL flight test, pretty much any school , can do that test.

The instrument rating > choose single engine or Multi engine IR.

[Ogaff47]

Hello, i am in process of converting my FAA CPL(A) to CASA, what is best to study for COSA exam and after completing exams i am required to go for two flight checks one CPL and then IREX how will they work ?

Just did this process last year. I’ll shoot you a message.

[Ardenios08]

Hello, this message sounds like a gift from even ... I'm working for the italian firefighter with the AW139 as a copilot, I have around 400 h, except for the 100 for my license all run on the 139.
I'm planning to convert my license in CASA, but the more I try to get information the more the path seems complicated and confused.
I will apprecciate every information you can give me, but in particular I would like to know:

1 It is possible to apply from overseas? I mean, on the form they ask for an ASIC or AVID or at least the application, but for the ASIC it seems that you need to stay in Australia. I just wanted to know from CASA if they allow me to go through the process before traveling to Australia. Is that possible?

2 In the form 61-4a they say : "Given the Civil Aviation Authority in the country of licence issue the authority to release information to CASA". What kind of check they will do? I don't want my company know about that, because I'am afraid they will obstacle the process. Moreover the majority of people can't handle an english conversation. I'm just asking myself how this process work...

3 The COSH exam is only about airLaw? Is there a database of CASA question or they changed everything every time?

4 If I want have my 139 TR on my CASA license I need to run a specific flight test with it?

5 Any suggestion for a school in Sydney that can help me with the process?

Sorry for bother you with all this question, I will apprecciate any help.

[Ramjet555]

Ardenious08,
I can answer some of the questions and post even more.
I've an Australian CPL Aeroplane and aim to convert my FAA CPL (H) and CFI (H)
and its tough getting the information or even answers to questions.

From the Helicopter schools perspective, they get inundated with emails and calls
from overseas asking questions and probably 99% of them they never hear from them again,
it wastes a lot of time. When I've been on the receiving end of similar emails and calls
you are very selective in who you answer or speak with. The serious genuine questions
get good attention. Just be well prepared and avoid questions that show you
have not done your home work.

First, the word CASA is an insult to the mandate of a public service, civil aviation authority.
It uses its own dialect of the English language that uses terms and expressions that are not used
in the US or Canada.
(1) CASA do not provide any overseas examination service.
(2) CASA do not recognize any other country's licence except New Zealand.
(3) ASIC, you can apply for the first level , its around $200 for two years.
(4) ASIC (full) you can get approval if you have "an operational need".
ask your potential employer to agree to support your ASIC application
apart from an offer of employment.
(5) The COSH exam sylabus is contained in pages 405-407 and 412-422 in Volume 3 of the MOS.
(6) There does not appear to e any information on the number of questions asked about each subsection
of each exam.

(7) You can do a CASA medical at a limited number of places outside of Australia.
CASA do not accept any aviation medical from any other country.
My last CASA medical required the full montie, compared to the range of fees
charged in the USA.
Any medical condition or history will probably require copies of reports etc.

Your Type Rating
Your notorized, certified true and correct copy of your log book hours and or
record of training will get each type of aircraft on your licence.
If you are getting type training ,get a letter detailing the training which makes it
easier for CASA to add it as a type.

Australia has numerous helicopter schools and Sydney is the largest city and the most expensive
place in Australia especially for accomadation.

You are generally far better served away from major cities where air traffic is less
and accomodation easier to find. Buy your self a car and some camping gear for
crashing when there is no accomadation available.

I'm presently searching for the right resources to study for the Exams and its tough
getting the low down on each source.

Most people suggest Advanced Flight Theory and for $180 they will send you the "document package" ,
most of which you can download for free or pay for separately. That $180 does not appear to include
any exam prep material, they seem to specialize in physically attended classes,full time school etc.

BobTait has exam prep for Airlaw that has been around for decades, and appears to be used a lot.

PilotPracticeExams.com is Australian based and appears to me at the moment as the best choice
of seeing real simulated exam papers. They have an exam package that I assume is all downloaded so
you will still need to get the essential documents that you cannot download.
Perhaps an Australian can fill you in on that.

There is a real art in writing practice exams ,and it takes a lot of experience and practice to
be able to predict what you will need to practice on in a real exam.

COSH EXAM - This is 40 Questions, 2 hrs, 80% open-book. Do NOT Book the CLWH exam
which is identical but for Australian students.
Here is the list of what you need.
(CAR 1988, Part 61 CASR, Part 91 CASR & Par t 133 MOS, CAO 48.1, Instrument 2019 , AIP, ERSA, AUS PCA, ERC low 1 & 2 and 3/4 only, ( only 2 ERC Lows, Hobart Launceston VTC, Brisbane-Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast VTC, Pen, Pencil Ruler, eraser , scribble pad.

I put all the PDF's into one master document so i can scan the lot in one search looking for a key word,

The exams are probably similar to the FAA exams on helicopter theory and aerodynamics,
the MET will be about 50% the same as the FAA but with a lot of very different questions you have not see before.

The performance questions, W&B appear to be similar to style FAA question but more like
the questions you get in classes at a type rating ground school.


Send me a pm if needed.

[Ramjet555]

Ardenious08,
I can answer some of the questions and post even more.
I've an Australian CPL Aeroplane and aim to convert my FAA CPL (H) and CFI (H)
and its tough getting the information or even answers to questions.

From the Helicopter schools perspective, they get inundated with emails and calls
from overseas asking questions and probably 99% of them they never hear from them again,
it wastes a lot of time. When I've been on the receiving end of similar emails and calls
you are very selective in who you answer or speak with. The serious genuine questions
get good attention. Just be well prepared and avoid questions that show you
have not done your home work.

First, the word CASA is an insult to the mandate of a public service, civil aviation authority.
It uses its own dialect of the English language that uses terms and expressions that are not used
in the US or Canada.
(1) CASA do not provide any overseas examination service.
(2) CASA do not recognize any other country's licence except New Zealand.
(3) ASIC, you can apply for the first level , its around $200 for two years.
(4) ASIC (full) you can get approval if you have "an operational need".
ask your potential employer to agree to support your ASIC application
apart from an offer of employment.
(5) The COSH exam sylabus is contained in pages 405-407 and 412-422 in Volume 3 of the MOS.
(6) There does not appear to e any information on the number of questions asked about each subsection
of each exam.

(7) You can do a CASA medical at a limited number of places outside of Australia.
CASA do not accept any aviation medical from any other country.
My last CASA medical required the full montie, compared to the range of fees
charged in the USA.
Any medical condition or history will probably require copies of reports etc.

Your Type Rating
Your notorized, certified true and correct copy of your log book hours and or
record of training will get each type of aircraft on your licence.
If you are getting type training ,get a letter detailing the training which makes it
easier for CASA to add it as a type.

Australia has numerous helicopter schools and Sydney is the largest city and the most expensive
place in Australia especially for accomadation.

You are generally far better served away from major cities where air traffic is less
and accomodation easier to find. Buy your self a car and some camping gear for
crashing when there is no accomadation available.

I'm presently searching for the right resources to study for the Exams and its tough
getting the low down on each source.

Most people suggest Advanced Flight Theory and for $180 they will send you the "document package"
of essential material you need to use to prepare and use for the COSH Exam
,
That $180 does not appear to include any exam prep material, they seem to specialize in physically attended classes,full time school etc.

BobTait has exam prep for Airlaw that has been around for decades, and appears to be used a lot.

PilotPracticeExams.com is Australian based and appears to me at the moment as the best choice
of seeing real simulated exam papers. They have an exam package that I assume is all downloaded so
you will still need to get the essential documents that you cannot download.
Perhaps an Australian can fill you in on that.

There is a real art in writing practice exams ,and it takes a lot of experience and practice to
be able to predict what you will need to practice on in a real exam.

COSH EXAM - This is 40 Questions, 2 hrs, 80% open-book. Do NOT Book the CLWH exam
which is identical but for Australian students.
Here is the list of what you need.
(CAR 1988, Part 61 CASR, Part 91 CASR & Par t 133 MOS, CAO 48.1, Instrument 2019 , AIP, ERSA, AUS PCA, ERC low 1 & 2 and 3/4 only, ( only 2 ERC Lows, Hobart Launceston VTC, Brisbane-Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast VTC, Pen, Pencil Ruler, eraser , scribble pad.

I put all the PDF's into one master document so i can scan the lot in one search looking for a key word,

The exams are probably similar to the FAA exams on helicopter theory and aerodynamics,
the MET will be about 50% the same as the FAA but with a lot of very different questions you have not see before.

The performance questions, W&B appear to be similar to style FAA question but more like
the questions you get in classes at a type rating ground school.


Send me a pm if needed.