Converting your FAA Commercial Certificate to CAA New Zealand License

I have received questions in the past from Jump Pilots wanting to know how to "convert their FAA Commercial Certificate to a CAA (New Zealand) Commercial License". As you will read below, you are not technically "converting" your current FAA Certificate to a CAA License. You will keep your current FAA Certificate, be assessed and then given a CAA License. I thought some of you might want to know how to go about doing this as well. Here is what I found:

"In order to determine that the appropriate recognition requirements are met, all overseas pilots who seek the issue of a NZ Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) are required to have their flight experience and qualifications assessed. These assessments are carried out on behalf of the CAA by Aviation Services Ltd and are completed in accordance with the appropriate requirements prescribed by CAA.

In addition, acting under delegation from the Director of Civil Aviation, Aviation Services Ltd administer all NZ Flight Crew written examinations and initial issue flight tests for the CPL, Flight Instructor Ratings and Instrument Ratings. 

Overseas pilot license holders who seek the issue of a NZ CPL or ATPL, should initially contact ASL at the following address: 

Aviation Services Ltd. 
PO Box 30343 
Lower Hutt 
New Zealand 
Telephone: +64- 4- 913 9812 Fax: +64-4-913 9816 

www.aviation.co.nz 

For assessment purposes, any person seeking the issue of a NZ Flight Crew License will be required to support each application for assessment by producing their pilot logbook(s), current overseas pilot licence, unexpired overseas medical certification and any other evidence that may assist in establishing the applicant’s qualifications and flight experience. Evidence of holding a flight radio telephone operator rating or equivalent will also be required.

Following completion of the assessment, each applicant who meets the eligibility requirements for recognition will be advised in writing as to what they must complete prior to making application for a NZ Flight Crew License. 

When all the appropriate requirements have been completed, each application for the issue of a NZ Flight Crew License should be submitted to: 

Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand 
PO Box 3555 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand 
Telephone: +64-4-560 9400 Fax: +64-4-569 2024

* The information above was found in the 10 page form titled: "Recognition of Overseas Flight Crew Licenses and Ratings" 
Read it in its entirety by visiting this link: www.caa.govt.nz/pilots/For_Australian_pilots.htm

Meet our Featured Jump Pilot - Orion with Chicagoland Skydiving Center

Meet our Featured Jump Pilot Orion, a Twin Otter pilot with Chicagoland Skydiving Center. A drop zone that has been in business since 1968 and is one of the largest in the Midwest United States.

Name: Orion

Age: 27

From: Vermont

Total Time: 1,250

Company: Chicagoland Skydiving Center

Location:  Rochelle, IL

Years flying Skydivers: 2 years

What do you like most about flying Skydivers? 

I enjoy the skydiving community, being around people that love what they are doing allows you to appreciate your role as a pilot.  I get to fly cool planes filled with cool people.  Plus, skydivers are always happy... who wouldn't want to hang out with happy people?

What are your career goals?  

Never to have a 9-5er... But seriously... to enjoy my career, I would say is my primary goal. That and try out all that aviation has to offer. I only hope I don't croak before I get to do it all. 

What is your advice for younger pilots?  

Do what you love and always be ready to learn, the rest will come.  Also, part of being a pilot is to always be looking for that next great opportunity. But most importantly, don't forget where you are now and where you came from.

An added note from Orion: "Growing up on the side of a mountain in Vermont, listening to the gliders catching the updrafts as they whistled by sparked my love for aviation.  From then on I knew exactly what I wanted to do in my life, I was going to FLY!  

My love for aviation brought me into skydiving as a jump pilot, flying a Cessna 182.  Working and spending nearly all my time at the drop zone it became apparent that I should take the opportunity and learn to skydive.  After completing my AFF training and receiving my A license, I began to understand why everyone around me was so hooked.  Skydiving is one of those things that once you realize there is nothing to be afraid of, the possibilities are endless.  I can say for certain that I am addicted.  

I enjoy the drop zone atmosphere and being around people who love what they are doing so much that it is hardly a job to them, myself included.  I look forward to being the guy at the front of the plane taking you to altitude, and feel free to talk to me or give me a high five!!  See you in the sky!"

Feel free to visit the Chicagoland Skydiving Center site skydivecsc.com