There is no FAA "theory" course. If you have the time requirements (23 years of age, good moral charachter, 1500 TT, 500 X-C greater than 50NM, 75 IFR, 100 Night, 250 PIC), all you need to do is get the Gleim book on the ATP written that has ALL the questions and answers, swot up it, then go to the US. Find a flight school with some kind of twin, and get an instructor to sign you off to take the written. (100 questions, 2.5 hours allowed) Then go practise. The flight test includes lots of aircraft-specific systems questions on the oral, and on the flight Steep Turns, Approaches to Stalls, and 4 approaches, 2 ILS, 2 nonprecision. 1 of each will be single engine. You do NOT need an instructor recommendation. Airline Transport professionals has a quick and dirty ATP program in PHX for around 2K US. Website is
www.allatps.com...if you have any questions email me at
[email protected]
P.S. They don't have "licenses" in the US, only "certificates". Calling an ATP an "ATPL" is a good way to piss an examiner off..:-)