Michael Cash <mikecash@sunfield.ne.jp> wrote in message news:<jpr7pvsood06fufodv6hcoj8h09t6ggh0h@4ax.com>...
> >If you have a license outside Japan it is no good in Japan. You would need
> >to get a Japan license. 
> 
> What's the deal with all the folks who go to the US to get pilot
> training? I know they save shitloads of money on the training, but
> does their license transfer sort of like automobile licenses do? Or do
> they have to sit exams and take check rides and whatnot?

Ok, based on the limited info on that web site...

They will accept my flight training/hours in Japan.  Basically I need
to pass another medical, get a radio operators lisence (which would
have some spoken japanese - ugh), and get my log book translated since
they calculate hours differently then the US (and maybe this Japanese
aviation law test thing they mentioned).  Unless of course I feel like
shipping a plane over here (or flying it here - or while I've won the
lottery and become independantly wealthy hiring someone to fly it over
here - about the same chances as affording my own plane) that is
registered in the USofA in which case I would need to fill out the
same sort of paperwork a commercial airline files.

My guess is that for commercial or helicoptor licenses (which I think
was your original comment) that the same rules apply - they accept
your hours and training.  You might be required to pass a test - and
it looks like there might be a Japanese aviation law test but seems
like it is a pretty straight forward conversion.  It just takes (like
almost everything else) a few months.