Obtain an EASA's PPL based on your UKCAA PPL, it's so easy!
- mrcliffordmarker
- Aug 30, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Jan 13, 2023
Now I hold two licences, and as mentioned above... it was so easy!
When Brexit came and changed our plans, especially for those like me who enjoy flying in southern Spain during their gorgeous sunny winter, we were forced to adapt to the new rules, and one of them is being dual-licenced, by keeping your UK licence and getting a European one, keep reading and I will tell you how we do it at www.hour-building.com.
When you want to "escape" the British winter for some sunny flying days, the best solution is to do what I did: conversion of a UK part flight crew licence to an EASA equivalent licence.
PPL conversion is just plain easy, it can be divided into 4 easy steps that I will share with you.
It is important to have more than 100 Total Time, not necessarily PIC, just Total flying time (if you are a new PPL with less than 100 hours TT, we can arrange for your rental of a G-registered aeroplane in Spain)
1 EASA MEDICAL
GET A VALID EASA CLASS 2 MEDICAL. WE STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO OBTAIN AN AUSTRO CONTROL MEDICAL EITHER AT ANY AME IN AUSTRIA OR AT ANY AME APPROVED BY AUSTROCONTROL IN THE UK.
YOU CAN ALSO GET ANY EASA CLASS 2 MEDICAL AND TRANSFER IT TO AUSTRO CONTROL VIA THE ”SOLI” PROCEDURE, BEAR IN MIND THAT IT’S TIME-CONSUMING
IF YOU ARE CONVERTING FROM THE UKCAA, YOU MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED TO REQUEST A LICENCE VERIFICATION SRG1160 FORM.
2 THEORY EXAMS
AIR LAW & HUMAN PERFORMANCE ARE THE TWO REQUIRED THEORY EXAMS YOU NEED TO PASS. THIS CAN EASILY BE ARRANGED AT ANY AUSTRO CONTROL APPROVED EXTERNAL EXAM CENTERS
FOR A PPL CONVERSION YOU WOULD NEED TO EMAIL A COPY OF YOUR ICAO LICENCE, ICAO MEDICAL (BOTH VALID) AND THE LAST 5 PAGES OF YOUR LOGBOOK TO AUSTROCONTROL TO BE RELEASED FOR THE EXAM
AFTER THAT, FILL IN THE FOLLOWING FORM AND EMAIL IT TO AUSTRO CONTROL TO OBTAIN THE PERMISSION TO PROCEED DIRECTLY TO THE EXAMINATION:
ONCE YOU OBTAIN THE PERMISSION TO PROCEED, YOU CAN BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT AT THE EXAM CENTER.
3 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (ELP)
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (ELP) CAN EASILY BE DONE ONLINE VIA EUFLYING.COM, SIMPLY BOOK THE ELP ASSESSMENT ONLINE VIA THE FOLLOWING LINK:
THE ASSESSMENT ONLY TOOK 45 MINUTES VIA ZOOM VIDEO CALL!
4 SKILL TEST
THE SKILL TEST FLIGHT CAN EASILY BE ARRANGED VIA EUFLYING.COM, EXPECT A 1.5HR-LONG FLIGHT WITH AN EASA EXAMINER.
1.5-HOUR FLIGHT ON A SEP(LAND) WITH 3 LANDING FEES AND FLIGHT EXAMINER FEES, ALL FOR
595€
THE SKILL TEST CAN BE FLOWN AT ANY OF OUR BASES UPON AIRCRAFT AND EXAMINER AVAILABILITY (LEBA CORDOBA, LEJR JEREZ, LEGR GRANADA, LEJE GRANADA, LEOC MADRID)
In addition to the previous information, you have to consider that each of the two theory exams may cost you around 40€ to 45€ each, ideally book your exam appointment a month in advance, at least that was my case in Malaga LEAX. Austro Control is clearly one of the most effective authorities to deal with, hence why I strongly recommend them. Licence processing fees, taxes, and shipping cost, may be close 220€ to 250€. Not bad to enjoy the benefits of being dual-licenced.
FAQs:
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE MORE THAN 100 TT?
We can arrange a G-registered airplane rental in Spain or dual training flights with an instructor
DO I NEED A VALID MEDICAL ON MY UKCAA?
Yes, to convert your UKCAA PPL to EASA PPL, you also need to have valid SEP(land) rating & UKCAA Medical.
WHAT IF I AM NOT CURRENTLY FLYING?
My case was that I was periodically flying in the UK, so I did not really need training for the Skill Test flight, at the end is like any SEP renewal with an examiner, if you are current, how can you forget about flying?
Nevertheless, if you don't feel current we strongly suggest you take some flying lessons with a flight instructor before going for the skill test. We can arrange that at any of our bases in LEOC, LEBA, LEJE, LEJR & LEGR airports
WHAT IF I AM CURRENT AND READY TO GO FOR TEST?
As it happened to me, I felt ready to go for the Skill Test directly, there is no obligation to fly with an instructor prior to the skill test. It is recommended for those who haven’t flown for months or they are not familiar with local procedures.
DO I NEED AN ELP IF I CONVERT FROM AN UKCAA PPL?
Yes, you need to obtain an FCL.055 ELP minimum Level 4 for your EASA PPL. It feels strange for someone like me, British born and being English my "only" language, I have to show to the EASA authority that I am safe to speak & communicate with. Rules are rules and we stick to them. It is quite easy to organize it via EUflying.com, it takes a 45-minute Zoom video call and a few days to issue the certificate.
Get ready for the (sunny) winter!
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