Contracting State may convert this licence to an Australian PPL(A) by passing the
... Flight Rules & Air Law exam for the relevant aircraft category (PAOS) and ...
Information for overseas applicants applying for an Australian
Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) - PPL(A) INTRODUCTION Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 no person may act as flight crew of an Australian registered aircraft unless he or she holds an appropriate “civil aviation authorisation” issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations. The authorisation may be called an authority, licence, certificate, rating, endorsement or another name. A holder of a valid foreign private pilot licence (aeroplane) [PPL(A)] that has been issued by an ICAO Contracting State may convert this licence to an Australian PPL(A) by passing the PPL aeroplane Flight Rules & Air Law exam for the relevant aircraft category (PAOS) and passing a flight test. Examination fees have two components, a CASA fee of AUD$65 per exam and a supervision fee which varies with the duration of each exam. REQUIREMENTS (# denotes compulsory requirements) # APPLICANT Is at least 17 years of age. Holds, or have held, an overseas civilian PPL(A) issued by an ICAO contracting state, that is equivalent to the Australian PPL(A), and which is not suspended, cancelled or restricted. Holds a Flight Operator Radiotelephone Licence. Holds a minimum of Level 4 English Language Proficiency (ELP) rating in accordance with the ICAO Standard on language proficiency for flight crew. If you do not have the minimum acceptable ELP on your foreign licence, you may undertake an assessment in Australia to obtain one – for more information, see the CASA webpage. Holds, or is in the process of applying for issue of an, Australian ASIC or AVID. For further information, see CASA’s ASIC and AVID webpage. Pays the fee of $140.00 (AUD) and security check fee. NOTE: CASA does not recognise any overseas military qualifications for the issue of a PPL(A), apart from hours accrued during time with the military. # AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE The applicant must meet the aeronautical experience requirements as listed in Civil Aviation Regulations (1988) (CAR) Clause 5.84 which are 40 hours total flight time as a pilot that includes: 5 hours of general flying as pilot in command. 5 hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command. 2 hours instrument flight time. NOTE: The 40 hours can be recognised flight time that was flown in a registered aeroplane, recognised aeroplane, helicopter, gyroplane, glider, power-assisted sailplane or Group A Ultra-light. v 09/2013
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The applicant is also required to pass the PPL(A) flight test (Day VFR single engine) with an approved person (industry ATO or CASA FOI). It is likely you may require some local flying training with a flying instructor before you will be ready for a flight test. (OPTIONAL) Acquiring the Australian Command Instrument Rating (CIR) Multi-engine (M/E) or Single-engine (S/E) To optionally obtain a CIR (M/E or S/E) the applicant has to first pass the instrument rating theory exam (IREX) (only available in Australia) and then undertake a separate instrument rating flight test conducted by a CASA FOI or delegate (ATO). As there is no CASA testing delegate overseas the flight test has to be conducted in Australia. An overseas instrument rating cannot be accepted in lieu. However, the holder of an overseas instrument rating may be exempt from the prescribed training course syllabus of 40 hours for the issue of a CIR. Note: A Certificate of Validation (CoV) can only be issued to a person if both the overseas licence and medical are current AND have been issued by the same ICAO contracting state. Applicant is still required to pass: IREX theory exam flight test for the initial issue of a CIR (M/E or S/E) NOTE: Civil Aviation Orders CAO 40.2.1 para 8.2 and 8.2.1 requires a person seeking an aeroplane or helicopter instrument rating respectively to hold at least an Australian (unrestricted) PPL, CPL, ATPL with a current Australian medical or a current Certificate of Validation (CoV) with a current overseas medical of the relevant aircraft category. # ARN (Aviation Reference Number) Application (including identification) An ARN is required before an initial issue of an Australian flight crew licence. Applications for an ARN should be made on Form 1162, (32Kb Adobe Acrobat document). The original completed form and supporting identification documentation, e.g. passport, birth certificate or Australian Citizenship Certificate, must be submitted to CLARC, CASA, GPO Box 2005, Canberra City, ACT 2601. NOTE: The identification documents for an ARN are in addition to those required for your ASIC/AVID (Form 498 or 499) application. # MEDICAL CERTIFICATE A minimum of a current Class 2 Australian Medical Certificate is mandatory before the privileges of the Australian PPL(A) can be exercised. This certificate can be obtained in Australia or overseas with a CASA Approved doctor (DAME). NOTE: There are overseas doctors approved by CASA to conduct medical examinations for applicants – you can locate them on the Search for a Medical Examiner or Eye Examiner page of the CASA website.
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# EXAMS NOTE: CASA does not recognise any overseas pilot’s theory exam credits. An applicant for an Australian PPL(A) is required to pass the Australian PPL(A) Overseas Conversion theory examination (PAOS). There are more than 200 approved exam centres throughout Australia approved to conduct the PAOS exam on the CASA PEXO exam system. CASA has approved a private company (ASL) to conduct all exams on behalf of CASA on the CASA online PEXO exam system. Further information on ASL is available at their website. The PAOS exam may be booked at most aeroplane flying schools and/or ASL. # SECURITY CHECKS A security check is a mandatory requirement before an Australian licence can be issued. There are two options available, an ASIC or an AVID. If an applicant wishes to operate in a security controlled airport (airside), then an ASIC is the required clearance. For further information, see the Department of Infrastructure and Transport Aviation Security Identification webpage. An ASIC (Form 498) is valid for two years and costs $AUD98.50 if under 18 years of age and $AUD200.50 if over 18 years of age. An AVID (Form 499) is only suitable for non-security controlled airfields and is valid for five years and costs $AUD152.00 for either an initial issue or a renewal. If an applicant does not already hold a security clearance, the licence and security clearance application forms must be submitted at the same time. One application cannot be processed without the other. Your Australian PPL cannot be issued until such time as your ASIC/AVID has been issued. NOTE: For ASIC/AVID applications, applicants must meet the proof of identity requirements by providing “certified true copies of identity documents” as specified on Forms 498/499. This is in addition to the identification documents required for an ARN (Form 1162). NOTE: For Non-Australian citizens, the immigration check can ONLY be completed once the applicant has arrived in Australia. # CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS The following documents, submitted with this application, must be certified as true copies of the original: •
Foreign licence – both sides if applicable.
•
Current medical certificate – all pages.
•
Last three months or last three full page openings of logbook entries (whichever is the lesser). Evidence (logbook or licence) of aircraft types/endorsements for recognition of prior qualifications should also be included.
Certification of documents can only be made by a Notary Public or a CASA DAME in your home country. Alternatively, an Australian official at any Australian Embassy or High Commission can certify your documents. If you are in Australia, your documents can be certified by any of the persons identified by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department as authorised witnesses.
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Where do I go for local flying training? It is the pilot’s personal responsibility to seek out details on flying training course directly from the Australian flying training establishments, including course fees and course duration. It is recommended that you contact flying training organisations in the area of your intended abode before undertaking any conversion training. Details of flying training organisations may be found in the local telephone directory or on the web under the headings of ‘Flying Schools’ or ‘Aero Clubs’. The larger flight schools focus primarily on training for professional licences and ratings while the smaller schools and aero clubs specialise in private pilot training. For further information, go to the aeroclub website. In Summary: What is Required First step: To start the process Lodge Form 1162 for the issue of an Aviation Reference Number (ARN) including identification, e.g. birth certificate or current passport or Australian Citizenship Certificate. If you already have an ARN, you do not need to submit another Form 1162. Second step: What you need to achieve Pass the PAOS examination (this can be attempted at most aeroplane flying schools or any of the 29 ASL exam centres around Australia). Meet the 40 hours aeronautical experience described earlier and hold a PPL(A) and FROL issued by an ICAO contracting state. Have an ICAO ELP assessment of Level 4 or higher on the foreign licence or undertake an ELP assessment in Australia and achieve level 4 or higher. Obtain either a Class 1 or Class 2 Australian medical certificate. Pass the Australian PPL(A) flight test with an approved testing officer (ATO) or CASA FOI. Third step: What you need to submit to CASA Complete and lodge the CASA PPL aeroplane application Form 520 including the flight test report section completed by the testing officer. If required, complete CASA Form 642 for results of ELP assessment taken in Australia. Lodge certified copies of overseas licence (both sides if applicable), current medical certificate and copies of logbook pages of the last 3 months or last 3 full page openings (whichever is the lesser) of your current logbook. Evidence (licence or logbook) of aircraft endorsement should also be included if applicable. Certification of documents can only be made by a Notary Public or a CASA DAME in your home country. Alternatively, an Australian official at any Australian Embassy or High Commission can certify your documents. If you are in Australia, your documents can be certified by any of the persons identified by the Australian Attorney-General’s Department as authorised witnesses. If no current Australian security check held - Complete and lodge CASA Form 498 (ASIC) or Form 499 (AVID) for mandatory security checks, including certified true copies of identity documents. Pay the appropriate fee of $140 and security check fee. NOTE: v 09/2013
Overseas licence details will have to be verified with overseas Aviation Authority before your Australian PPL(A) may be issued. This can take up to 56 days. Page 4 of 5
Causes of possible Delays in Verification of Overseas Qualifications Verification of all overseas qualifications will be conducted by CASA before recognising an overseas licence or qualification. This involves checking the validity of qualifications with the overseas regulatory authority who issued the licence. The verification process may involve delays and consequently the issue of the Australian PPL(A). This should be taken into consideration when applying for an Australian PPL(A). Our standard service delivery time for the PPL(A) application is up to 56 days including delays in the verification process by the overseas regulatory authority. The verification process may involve delays and consequently the issue of the Australian PPL(A). This should be taken into consideration when applying for an Australian licence. Special procedures for UK licence holders The UK CAA has informed it will not provide verifications or release information on UK licence holders unless the licence holder completes an authorised release of the information to CASA. The UK CAA has published information on their webpage. The UK CAA authorisation form can be accessed via their website and must be completed and sent directly to the UK CAA with the prescribed payment. The CASA application form must be sent to CLARC. Once CASA receives the application, a formal request for verification of the information will be made to UK CAA. UK CAA will reply directly to CLARC. CASA cannot process an application until UK CAA has released the verification. Thus applicants are advised to submit form SRG\1160 to UK CAA well before they arrive in Australia to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of paperwork. Inquiries about the progress of the verification should be made directly to UK CAA. Special procedures for NZ licence holders The CAANZ will not provide verifications or release information on NZ licence holders unless the licence holder completes an authorised release of the information to CASA. Complete form CAA602 to release the details of the flight crew licence. Select the Verification Report option. The completed form is to be emailed to
[email protected] by the CAANZ). ______________________________________________________ Should you have any questions, please visit our web site at www.casa.gov.au or phone 131 757 or email CLARC at
[email protected] or by post to: CLARC CASA GPO Box 2005 Canberra City ACT 2601
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