DGCA CPL or ATPL conversion ?

[rahulred5]

Hello all ,
Before I start I would like to give a little bit of background information. I am an Indian citizen with an FAA CFI/II/MEI currently enrolled in an ATP programme with a flight school in Texas. As part of this programme I do flight instruction without pay to build hours towards an FAA ATP. In return for instruction since I cannot be paid due to M1 visa restrictions I have been offered a fully paid A320 TR. I am currently halfway through the course and should be done in a year's time.
I have started the process for DGCA conversion already based on my FAA CPL. I've cleared the Regs paper on the first attempt and making a serious attempt on the nav paper this time which I hopefully will clear in Nov.
Now my question is , is it better to wait to get my FAA ATP to convert to a DGCA ATPL or would it be more efficient to continue to convert to a DGCA CPL ?
Another question I have is regarding TRTO's in the USA , does the DGCA accept a TR from all FAA recognised TRTO's ? Would I need any DGCA specific paperwork to be filled up when I do my 320 TR ?

Thanks for answering all these questions.
Regards

[niksmathew24]

IMO

Get an ATPL, then convert it. Less headaches compared to converting it two times.
DGCA accepts TR only if its done from a "DGCA APPROVED TRTO". Also you need an NOC from them before you go do it and there are quite a few papers to be filled.

[Canuck15]

I would suggest strongly that you get an FAA ATP and get the type rating on it . My friend niks your slightly misinformed ...since when do you need dgca approval to do a type on a an FAA ticket ....

[shanx]

Though it seems weird that an "approval" or "NOC" is required to train in USA or other countries, from a country's authority which was almost downgraded by the FAA for well known reasons, that's the way it is unfortunately and there's nothing much we can do about it.

[niksmathew24]

@canuck

since when do you need dgca approval to do a type on a an FAA ticket

You don't need an approval to do a type on FAA ticket. Am talking about getting it endorsed on a DGCA license.
Also if the holder wants to work in India, the TR should be endorsed on his Indian license and not his FAA license. And I think that is what the person doing the inquiry wants to know.

[sam8808]

hey rahul, was wondering which school you're doing your FAA training at?