From US to Australia?

[Club ORD FO]

I found some old posts on this topic, but I am wondering if anybody has recently looked into taking an FAA license down to Oz. Last I heard, it was a real pain in the butt to, #1 get the Oz license, and #2 get hired by Qantas or Virgin Blue. But, rumor is there is a bit of a pilot shortage down there now. Anybody done the research lately?

 

[OzBushWhacker]

I am an Aussie looking at that too.

If you have a US ATP one can do an ATP(L) airlaw and its a straight switch, however most of the companies have a req to have passes in the 7 ATP(l) subjects.

Oh yeah right to work might be good too!

 

[Kenny]

This has been covered before but the short version is that although you can "convert" an FAA ATP to a CASA ATPL, by doing 3 exams and an ME/IR flight test, it won't be enough for any of the airlines in OZ.

This way you bypass the other 6 ATPL theory exams required for the CASA ATPL. The 2 Air Law exams are ok but the IR exam is a complete bitch if you haven't flown in Australia. Someone described OZ as the Galapagos of aviation and they weren't wrong. 75% fail it the first time and it's not something you can pass by reading a book.

If you apply to an Australian carrier they'll ask if you passed all the exams required for the ATPL and then you'll be required to bring proof of your results to the interview.

Of course, without residency, you can't even apply. There is a shortage but just like here there are plenty of GA pilots who are willing to pay for a type to get a job.