Converting JAA to FAA

[david_dudley]

Hi.

Does anybody know what is involved in converting a JAA CPL into an FAA CPL?
I presume it's just an air law exam followed by a skills test, but a more exact outline would be much appreciated.

Also:

Does anybody have any experience of applying for a J1 Visa, without the aid of one of the big schools? Or for that matter know if it is possible?

I am thinking of going to the states to do some instructing, but would rather not go through one of the big schools that offer visas, as part of the course.

Cheers.
Dave.

[ikea]

hey,
i think you are right. It is a bit simpler than FAa to JAA which totally confuses me! There are a few of the large flying schools who do conversion courses but it is different for each individual. SO you need to contact them.
PS-sorry our posts are toally clashing!

[dorosenco]

Dave,

Go to my website www.passion2fly.com link Flight Training, a lot of answers to your questions are there.

:ok:

[B2N2]

A written test and a skills test w/examiner.
You'll need at least 3 hrs with an US instructor before he can give you a sign-off for the practical test.
Last guy we did needed about 10 hrs because the requirements for CPL are so different.
In the US it's all general handling with some specific manoevers and no navigation part.
Cheers

Sec. 61.129
Aeronautical experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who
applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must
log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least--
(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(1) of this part that includes at
least--
(i) 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane;
(ii) 10 hours of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch
propeller, or is turbine-powered, or for an applicant seeking a single-engine seaplane rating, 10 hours of
training in a seaplane that has flaps and a controllable pitch propeller;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in day VFR conditions,
consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of
departure;
(iv) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in night VFR conditions,
consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of
departure; and
(v) 3 hours in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period
preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a single-engine airplane on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(1)
of this part, which includes at least--
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum
of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original
departure point. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have
a straight-line distance of at least 150 nautical miles; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a
flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

[iflysims]

The skills section will completly depend on your abilities. One thing to consider and many forget about is that there are some manuvers that you have to perform for the FAA CPL that you dont need for the JAA. Lazy 8 and I think Chandels but there may be more. Be careful of the place that sais just 2-5 hrs. Also you will need to take the Instrument if you actually want to use Instrument privilages or for more then 50 NM for hire.

Speaking of for hire...the J-1 issue is another matter. You HAVE to go though a school as they would be sponsoring you. Now wether you qualify depends on interpretations. The rule say you have to be untrained which in some cases is defined as FAA untrained or anything less then a Commercial..then some people say if you have a PPL and 100 hrs then you no longer qualify either but all this is depended on the Immigration official or Embasy employee. Be sure that the school you are applying too has a refund policy for J-1 visa fee if you get denied..they may not have but you have to decide if it is worth the risk.

Good luck all the best...and remember do not go for the cheapest deal..that may cost you the most once things are done...

[david_dudley]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I think the licence conversion should be pretty straight forward.
the main problem will be the visa.

When you say, you must go through a school to sponsor you. Does that mean that the school must be recognised with the government or can you nominate any school in the application?

I plan on going to Atlanta, and the schools there don't seem to offer JAA training or sponsored VISAs, etc.
I probably need an immigration lawyer that specialises in this sort of thing, does anybody know of any?

[B2N2]

Visa is not a big deal.
For any training towards a license you need a visa.
The school needs to issue a form called I-20.
With this form you go to the embassy/consulate (make an appointment) and after a brief interview you get the visa.
Not all schools can issue I-20 ies though, so make sure they have visa approval.
have fun..