FAA ATP for Experienced Foreign 121 pilot

[The_Broon]

Under 61.156, an applicant for the ATP Written Exam must present a graduation certificate from an approved ATP CPT course, which currently is not available to any normal pilot anywhere in the US, unless you are a Bachelor student at Embry-Riddle (the only ones authorized to do the course) http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/ATP_CTP_Providers.pdf. However, the CTP course is really designed as an introduction to part 121 operations, for those who have no relevant experience (at least, that's how I understand it).

I hold an EASA ATPL and Qatar ATPL with B737, B757 and A330 type ratings, 5500 hours total, and 5000 on the above listed jets. I've done over 8 years of commercial airline experience (foreign equivalent to part 121), and far surpass the experience requirements for the FAA ATP. Does anyone know if there is any alleviation to completing the CTP course if you already have a significant amount of relevant experience?

To take it to the extreme, if an airline captain of 10 years, with 20,000+ part 121 hours gained in a foreign airline marries an American and wants to move here, would this pilot still be required to go through a course teaching how to use checklists, crm, thunderstorm avoidance, unusual attitudes etc?

Any input is appreciated, and any FAA Inspectors, please feel free to chime in or PM as you see fit.

Thanks!!

[cherokee and bus]

Hi Broon,

As far as I know there in not any exemption for overseas experienced pilots, neither anything is explained in FAR-AIM for that. They might do something for overseas pilots with experience in the future but at least for the time being nothing seems to be done. The only way will be to to the atp ctp course and there is no school in the country for the time being doing that neither will be until the end of the year.

[casablanca]

Honestly a good question, and I'm a bit rusty on the regulations, however for several years was an instructor and we did many accelerated ATP ratings. Normally if the applicant was proficient and met all the time requirements this was basically a 2-3 day course, getting them sharp for the check ride . I did look at the regulation and there is a change after July 2014 that I don't understand.
My best advice is to contact several schools that offer ATP training and see how they handle this.

[Rotorhead1026]

There's no relief for someone with an airline background at this point. To be eligible to take the ME ATP written, you need the course. ERAU has one for its students. Higher Power (recently bought/merged by/with ATP) is developing one, according to its newsletter. I'm sure others, such as Pan Am, are doing the same. I don't know of a course that's up and running and available to the general public.

http://www.airgyle.com/research/regulations/title14/s61-156/

[pilotchute]

On the ATP website under ATP CTP it used to say waiting approval. It no longer says this.

[Amadis of Gaul]

Best thing to do is not to marry an American. Or, if you can't help it, marry her and export her wherever it is that you have all that experience. Problem solved. It's not like everyone with a pulse has to hold a US ATP and/or work here.

[The_Broon]

Thanks to all that commented. It seems to be as expected. The FAA in their wisdom created a mandatory course, but didn't approve schools to do it. So as it stands, there can be no new ATPs issued for the foreseeable future, regardless of experience level. Not their brightest move! I actually think the course could be valuable, but should have had at least 10 schools offering it before it officially launched.

ATP website is still pending approval and PanAm is silent, except that they told me the do not offer it at this time. No other projections or time line.

Should've done it two months ago... :ugh:

Good luck to all!