Re: The Expense of (Not) Flying in Australia
PostPosted:Wed May 22, 2019 4:34 am
Just as a point of order - it is not CASA that requires the ASIC (or AVID) card; it is the Department of Home Affars (https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/transport-security/identity/asic-and-msic-identification-cards)
I was last in Aus in December and popped into my old flying club and they recommended I get an ASIC (they could have done the paperwork and submitted on my behalf; taken the $250 (about £180-ish at the moment) and it would have been about a week. Unf, I didn't have my licences with me as it was a 3 day visit.
Then they said it is easier to get an Aussie PPL off the foreign licence than a 3 month validation.. I asked how - as the website says clearly, one must pass a CASA exam (the PPL theory is one exam covering all subjects - or was last time I looked), etc. He gave me a perplexed look and said it was't the case.. He opened up the application form (https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/flight-crew-licence-application-basis-overseas-civil-qualifications-part-a-form-61-4a.pdf) and there were no such requirements. I asked him to open up the page that references conversion as I am sure I have a few months before the onset of dimentia (https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/converting-overseas-licences) to which his response was "just look at the application form. CASA's website is always hoplessly out of date".
One can apply for an ASIC through CASA at the same time. However, it says one needs an Aussie medical cert to do so (why, I have no idea). No probs - there are plenty of private operators who will do the ground work for you (though it is a pain if you are not a citizen/permanent resident as one needs proof of visa - an etravel or similar will do).
So, without the Department of Home Affairs meddling, actually getting an Aus licence would be similar to a FAA piggy back licence. Yes, CASA are worse than the CAA, but not this time.
I was last in Aus in December and popped into my old flying club and they recommended I get an ASIC (they could have done the paperwork and submitted on my behalf; taken the $250 (about £180-ish at the moment) and it would have been about a week. Unf, I didn't have my licences with me as it was a 3 day visit.
Then they said it is easier to get an Aussie PPL off the foreign licence than a 3 month validation.. I asked how - as the website says clearly, one must pass a CASA exam (the PPL theory is one exam covering all subjects - or was last time I looked), etc. He gave me a perplexed look and said it was't the case.. He opened up the application form (https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/flight-crew-licence-application-basis-overseas-civil-qualifications-part-a-form-61-4a.pdf) and there were no such requirements. I asked him to open up the page that references conversion as I am sure I have a few months before the onset of dimentia (https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/converting-overseas-licences) to which his response was "just look at the application form. CASA's website is always hoplessly out of date".
One can apply for an ASIC through CASA at the same time. However, it says one needs an Aussie medical cert to do so (why, I have no idea). No probs - there are plenty of private operators who will do the ground work for you (though it is a pain if you are not a citizen/permanent resident as one needs proof of visa - an etravel or similar will do).
So, without the Department of Home Affairs meddling, actually getting an Aus licence would be similar to a FAA piggy back licence. Yes, CASA are worse than the CAA, but not this time.