Converting ICAO to FAA

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Someone called?

A bit above the section bafan referenced is this -

4) Type Rating. When a type rating is shown on the U.S. pilot certificate (meaning a U.S. pilot certificate that was issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license), that aircraft type rating will be limited to “VFR ONLY” if the person has not passed either the IFP knowledge test or the standard instrument rating knowledge test and the standard instrument rating practical test. Applicants who apply for a type rating with the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED” on their U.S. pilot certificate must have received the required training from a holder of an FAA flight instructor certificate with the appropriate ratings. If the aircraft type rating is for an aircraft with a gross takeoff weight of greater than 12,500 pounds, the applicant must also complete a background security check administered by the TSA. The reporting requirements of the TSA’s background check is on its Web site. Once the applicant has qualified for the “U.S. TEST PASSED” rating on a U.S. pilot certificate under 61.75, the aircraft rating and/or type rating annotated with the notation “U.S. TEST PASSED” is eligible for transfer to an unrestricted U.S. pilot certificate without any further showing of competency or practical test if the applicant later obtains an unrestricted U.S. pilot certificate.

So the only way to do a real transfer of a foreign type is to get the 61.75 "based on certificate" and pass the regular IR written or the Foreign Pilot IR written. You would then have to show that your type rating training was conducted by FAA approved instructors. Pilotchute is the first person I've heard of who might have been to do this. Unfortunately you can't go back and get a 61.75 cert after you get a regular FAA pilot certificate.