avanti

Anyone know anything about flight training in Australia? I heard you have to get an Australian security clearance (which takes 6-8 weeks to process) before you can even take one flight lesson. Is that true?

I have an FAA private certificate, but I also happen to have Australian citizenship. Anyone know if I can train for my next rating (say, ME or COMM) in Australia without converting my FAA ppl? Or is an Australian PPL a prerequesite? Anyone with any experience doing this? Cost? Hassle?

Next question-- can I log SE PIC time in Australia with an FAA license? Hmmmnnn probably not, right.

BTW I attempted to do a search to see if anyone has already created a thread about this, but I can't find one so I decided to post.

Typhoonpilot

I know some guys who have ATPLs from various places that made the conversion to an Australian commercial-multi. In their words, " the hardest thing I have ever done ". You'll learn new extremes of anal retentive and pedantic when dealing with the Australian government and Australian flight training.

The good news. If you do the rest of your ratings in Australia it will be relatively easy to convert them to an FAA certificate.


Typhoonpilot

avanti

Thanks, Typhoonpilot!! I will look into the cost of completing my ratings out there then, as Australian friends claim it is cheaper...

Anyone know if the Australian medical is more stringent than the US one, especially in terms of vision?

mowiepilot

I converted my FAA to a New Zealand one, sort of a long process. No security clearance required. Aviation Services LTD looked over my logbook and decided what I need to do for the switch. It is case by case but pretty much the same stuff. Had to get a NZ medical, take a BFR, and take the NZ Air Law test. Not sure if this helps, but I think AUS license process is similiar, as once you have either country license you can fly in both via the Tasman Act.