@KARBINE
Applying through FAA conversion falls under different rules, applying a fresh Indian CPL route will be under different rules.
They both have their Pros & cons...
If you have the ability or means to return to USA, I would still recommend coming back to USA & giving an FAA Cpl checkride This route will be much cheaper & definitely, a lot LESS painfull.
If you want to apply for DGCA CPL directly, you have to make sure that you fulfill DGCA requirements like cross country, 250 NM & 300 NM & Night flying & such things, etc etc. Remeber DGCA X-C is 100 NM & FAA is 50 NM, so you will have to find out which X-C is 100 NM or more.
If you want to do this, then I would recomend that you go to an Indian Flying club or school, as you need someone to sign your forms & verify that you have met all the requirements. Trying to do it your self will be super hard, if not impossible.
You don't need to get a PPL first, you can just get a 1st class medical & an SPL issued on the basis of DGCA CPL exams that you have already cleared & it can be issued by any flying school.
Write the requirements for issue of CPL from DGCA website or CARs on a paper, then Go through your log book & find out if you have all the requirements or you are missing some. You will know that you are missing atleast some requirements because FAA is different than DGCA. Then have a CFI go over your logbook & the list to make sure that you did noty miss anything. (MOST LIKELY NOT HAPPENING IN INDIA)
TIP ... (BUY A GIFT TO A FLIGHT CLERK & HE WILL MOST LIKELY DO IT FOR YOU & ALSO MAKE SURE YOU PAPERS ARE IN CORRECT ORDER )
If any requirements are missing, just fly those in India & apply for a LIC.
At minimum, you will have to fly a GFT & 3 T/O & Lgds by day & Night & an Inrstrument rating Flying Test.
That is 4 hrs min, if you meet all the requirements.
Last edited by pilotbaba; 14th Oct 2011 at 17:07.