Converting to a JAA Licence

Why convert ?

It is often necessary or desirable to want to fly in another country or continent. This can be more difficult to achieve than it sounds. The most common route seems to be pilots wanting to go from the USA to UK or vice versa.
There are a number of ways to obtain a JAA licence based up on past experience. The following list is my interpretation of these methods

Conversion: The award of an equivalent licence. PPLs follow the procedure laid down in FCL-2. For CPLs conversion is only available to applicants whose original licence is awarded by a state with a reciprocal arrangement with a JAA state, in our case the UK. In other words you accept ours, and we'll accept yours.
Validation: A JAA licence valid for 1 year, based upon current licence held, with a number of restrictions placed upon it. Probably a good way for more experienced pilots to gain work in a JAA state, as it requires at least 700hrs for a CPL(H) and more hours for higher licence grades.
Applying for an Equivalent: The most common route to gaining a JAA licence. The pilots past flying experience is taken into account and his training requirements are reduced to training as required for an equivalent JAA licence.

Applicable Legislation

JAR FCL-2 and LASORS are the documents to consult to find out, what is required to obtain a JAA licence related in some way to a non JAA licence.

Converting an ICAO Commercial Licence or PPL/IR

CPL is dealt with in JAR FCL-2.015(c) which basically says you can't convert unless there is a reciprocal arrangement with a non JAA state , as far as I am aware that doesn't exist with the most common places pilots want to convert from USA, Canada and Australia so it can't be done.
You may however be able to validate your license for 1 year based on the arrangements in JAR-FCL 2.015 appendix 1 . (Lots of hoops to jump through, which I wont list here).

Example Content

Converting an ICAO PPL

PPL is dealt with in JAR FCL-2.015(b) and in JAR FCL-2.015 appendix 2 the requirements in summary are

The applicant needs to hold an ICAO licence.
The applicant needs to hold a JAR class 2 medical as a minimum.
Have more than 100hrs as a helicopter pilot.
Pass Air Law and Human performance exams.
Relevant bits of subpart F which i presume means 2.240.
Pass a flight test for initial PPL issue.
Hold an acceptable RT licence (which means usually passing the RT practical and written exams, and applying for the licence).

Example Content

Applying for an equivalent JAA Licence

It is of course possible to apply for a JAA licence if you hold an ICAO licence, your flight time will count towards it.
JAR FCL-2.016 applies in this case and it is not a 'conversion' but is the route most people would take. Simply stated.

Have a JAR Class 1 Medical.
Training as required to pass 'the equivalent' JAA knowledge exams. This cannot be used to move up to say an ATPL(H) just because of experience, the full theory course would be needed.
Flight training as required at the discretion of an FTO's Head Of Training.
Pass the Flight Test for the equivalent JAA Licence.
Hold an acceptable RT Licence.

Example Content

Web References

JAR FCL-2 Section 1
LASORS
Obtaining a UK JAR Medical if you've already got a non UK Medical