Converting to FAA ATP

[flyingoose]

Hi Guys,

just some info required on getting an FAA Atp with a South African ICAO Atp.
The ASA book has different sections on part 121 and 135 but they mention the exams seperately????
Surely one has to write on both?
Please help regarding this topic.

Thanks

[ragdragger]

For the FAA ATP written you choose whether to take the Part 135 or the Part 121 exam. You don't do both. The exam is 200 questions multiple choice and isn't that difficult. With the FAA emphasis is more on the oral exam and practical flight test.

[MungoP]

I suggest that you opt for the 121 ... after the European (or SA) exams you'll find it a breeze ! The flight exam on the other hand will depend very much on who you draw as an examiner... The oral can be pretty tough, the examiner will have the results of the ground exam and will be able to spot any weak points... it can go on for several hours if you're unlucky and after that wringing out you'll have to take the flight test immediately afterwards. The FAA don't seperate the General Handling and the Instrument rating as is done in Europe and probably SA... you get it all at once ! I had to do a lot of research on the flight test as the flying schools in the US are not accustomed to preparing candidates for an ATP check-ride, typically their students do the CPL then go off to fly freight or sit as SIC on a commutor a/c... then do the ATP as part of a type-rating when preparing for the left hand seat... my check-ride consisted of five approaches (a seminole) 3 non-prec/2 prec... all single eng. The guy was changing runways on me/failing DME CBs to check my ability to cope with different minima.. Unusual attitudes (under the hood) plus the usual stuff, stalls etc... 2.5 hrs, he was pretty tough but fair... I'm sure there are tougher... and and easier.. Good Luck..

[flyingoose]

Thanks for the Info guys.

[ragdragger]

my check-ride consisted of five approaches (a seminole) 3 non-prec/2 prec... all single eng.

Seriously? He made you do 5 single engine approaches? Thats pretty extreme, if I remember right the PTS only requires one precision approach to be single engine. What a sadist... hope that seminole had working rudder trim!

[B200Drvr]

With regards to the exams, do the exam related to what you are flying. If you are a current 121 pilot flying a jet, then do that, however, if you are a 135 pilot flying a turbine, write the 135 with 1900 performance. Once the exam is done and you have your ATP, there is no mention of which exam you wrote. The FAA offers this so as to allow candidates to write the exam which is closest to their current situation. Maybe some other countries should do the same!

[launchpad74]

just done the FAA ATPL. Written exam on P135 was 82 questions. Oral exam is on regs and a/c systems (on the plane you are testing on). FLight test was maneouvers and a single engine ILS. All depends on your examiner.
The headache of the Visa, TSA clearance, fees etc is a bit of a nightmare. Especially getting the CAA in SA to verfiy your SA licence for the FAA. Make sure your instructor preps you well. do a mock test beforehand. good luck . .

[KRONOS]

FAA

Did mine at Flight Safety NYC couple of years ago, included with recurrent training, the instructor coach you all the time on the flight test, as you will be doing 3-5 hour test,instrument flying only, system failures and emergency procedures from engine startup to emergency evac when you land.

FSI has computers with mock exams by GLEIM, based on the actual exam you write, found that helped a lot more than the ASA literature, BUT the book you get with the ASA, you actually use in the exam...

I did the 121, in hindsight the 135 was a lot easier as far as W&B, EPR values etc was concerned.

K