FAA PPL/IR conversion to Kiwi license with Aussie Trans-Tasman questions.

Posted by TeddyNorth@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 5 comments

I have an FAA issued PPL. I am currently in process with instrument.

I am interested in converting my FAA license to a Kiwi license once I have finished my instrument.

Once I convert my FAA license to a Kiwi one, does simplify things for me regarding validating or converting in Oz? Basically, can you convert or validate a converted license? The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement is unclear.

It's fine if I need to convert the FAA license to an Aussie one, I'll do the paperwork. My hope was that by presenting a valid Kiwi license converted on the basis of a valid FAA PPL that it would speed things along in Oz.

Thoughts?

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HardCorePawn@reddit

It really depends on what the purpose of converting is. Are you looking to permanently move to either Australia or New Zealand and continue flying there/here?... or are you just looking at a short-term thing while travelling/on holiday etc?

Firstly, the TTMRA is only for "professional" qualifications (ie. CPL or ATPL). You can't use it for PPL.

For converting to a NZ PPL, you just go to a NZ flight school/aero club... show them your logbook(s), licence, current medical etc... then go do a BFR (Biennial Flight Review) with an A or B-Cat instructor... and they can sign you off to get issued a NZ PPL. No theory exams required. You can even continue to use your FAA medical until it expires at which point you need a CAA medical.

However, there are other requirements for Night endorsements and the possibility that you will need to complete some "Weather and Terrain Awareness training".

The details for getting the PPL issued are here under the PPL section: Recognition-overseas-flight-crew-licences-and-ratings.pdf

If you want to have your IR converted as well... that is going to require completing the IR Law theory exam, and then an initial issue flight test with an Aspeq examiner.

The full requirements for that are also in that PDF if you scroll a bit further down and look under the "Ratings" section.

As far as I'm aware, both countries also do "short-term validations"... where you can get a permit to operate VH or ZK reg aircraft using your foreign licence/medical for 6-months etc.

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TeddyNorth@reddit (OP)

First, thank you very much for clarifying this:

the TTMRA is only for "professional" qualifications (ie. CPL or ATPL). You can't use it for PPL.

Second, thank you for providing the link to the pdf:

Recognition-overseas-flight-crew-licences-and-ratings.pdf

I know that I will be coming and going from NZ the next ten years so a conversion probably makes more sense. For Australia, it seems a validation would probably be sufficient.

Doing the IR conversion process sounds like a good idea even if it might be a lot of extra work. Your lovely country is known for rapidly shifting weather…

Thanks again.

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HardCorePawn@reddit

Your lovely country is known for rapidly shifting weather…

Indeed... VFR-only flying can end up very restrictive... and it's not necessarily just the speed of weather changes, but the difference from one locale to another locale that is basically "next door". With all the hill and mountain ranges combined with the prevailing westerly flow across a narrow "north/south"-orientated island group sitting in a large ocean, we are basically a collection of microclimates and weather pockets... so it's not unusual to be blue skies and sunshine in one place... and 50nm away "just over the hill" it's low overcast with showers etc.

Also, don't be afraid to contact the licensing people at the CAA (licensing@caa.govt.nz) to get clarification or assistance. In my experience, they are more than happy to help out and are generally relatively quick to respond.

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TeddyNorth@reddit (OP)

Yup, sounds like my home turf, tons of microclimates and marine layer playing games.