Jim,
If you have questions, keep asking.
If you have 1500 hours and J.A.A. licenses, convert all your Licenses to F.A.A. and then just take the FAA ATP written & checkride. Then do your Flight Instructors, but if you have 1500 hours there is no reason to come to the U.S.
If you have low time (250hrs to 700hrs) come to the U.S. on a J-1 and convert private then take the CPL/IR F.A.A. witten/check ride and on the flight intructors.
In the U.S. the writtens are easy. The F.A.A. gives you all the questions they will ask you and the answers before you take the exam. Each rating only has one written, they are between 60 and 80 questions depending on the exam. (I have not taken a written in 11 years so the exact number for each exam escapes me. Sorry.)
An idea to save you time and money is to study and even take the F.A.A. writtens in England. I believe Rory at A.A.S. still offers the written exams.
Sincerely,
Capt. Richard J. Gentil, Pres.
Naples Air Center, Inc.
<<Edited for Typo>>
[ 08 September 2001: Message edited by: Naples Air Center, Inc. ]