Advice on ATPL exams.

[mitchd]

Hi all,

I have had a look around the forum and have not seen a current thread that is similar to this, if there is one and I have missed it I apologise.

Ok, so...my family have recently relocated to Columbus, Ohio. I'm fortunate enough to be in the position now where I am able to go there on an M1 visa and train at the Ohio State University Flight Clinic. I have spoken to an advisor there who has referred me to the Director, who has ultimately accepted my request to train there in May.

They offer courses up to CPL ME (FAA only), this includes IR. They also offer CFI Single and Multi and also CFII.

I am a UK Citizen, 23 years old with a valid UK Passport, UK driving license and holder of an FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate. My questions are:

1) If I train in the US and get my CPL ME, then come back to England and take the ATPL ground school exams. Does this give me both an FAA CPL ME and an EASA fATPL? In effect giving me a 'worldwide' license?

2) What would I need to do in order to convert my CFI and CFII or would that not be possible?

I thank you for taking the time to read this, and look forward to your responses.


EDIT: I have delved a bit deeper into this, and found this on https://www.bristol.gs/atpl-cpl-conversions-aircraft-helicopter/

CPL Conversions (Aircraft & Helicopter)

Pilots with an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Commercial Pilot Licence (Aircraft) [CPL(A)] or Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) [CPL(H)] can convert to an EASA ATPL.

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Licences

To convert an ICAO CPL(A) to an EASA ATPL(A) you will need 1500 hours flight time, including:

500 hours on multi-pilot aircraft;
250 hours pilot in command (or 500 hours pilot on command under supervision; or 70 hours pilot in command and 180 hours pilot in command under supervision);
200 hours cross country;
75 hours instrument time; and
100 hours night flying.

If you don’t have this level of experience you can still do the conversion but you will be issued an EASA CPL(A). When you meet the experience requirements you can upgrade it to an ATPL(A).

To me, this states that I can get my FAA CPL ME in Ohio, move back to England and build my hours, then once my hours are built up to 1500hrs I can just upgrade it to an EASA ATPL...The FAA do adhere to the ICAO policies and procedures and are a 'Member State'! Can anyone shed any light on this, I've read so much online in the past few days I can barely see straight.

[mitchd]

Well, I'm guessing from the lack of responses that it's not as clear cut as i'd hoped.

I've decided that i'll be returning to the UK and undertaking my flight training there, saves any unnecessary hassle.

Mods, this can be closed. Thanks.

[Alex Whittingham]

Late reply - sorry. You can do an FAA CPL but you get precious little credit for it when you convert to EASA, you will be credited the hours you fly and get some concessions towards the training required for the EASA skills test. There are big questions hanging over the quality of training you get in the US, some flight schools are very good but the generalisation would be you buy cheap, you get cheap. If you have no or very few hours I would suggest a PPL in Europe, hours building anywhere, but use the time well, don't just burn holes in the sky, then ATPL theory in Europe (but there are ATOs who can deliver this in the US as well) followed by flight tests in Europe. A subjective view.

[mitchd]

Alex,

Thanks for the response, i've taken a lot of time to make my decision and based on what i've read over the past few months and now what you've said I think I will be doing it all under EASA in the UK.

I've also just made contact with someone who I used to go to school with who is actually a FO with BMI. I had no idea until I saw him on Linkedin, so we're chatting and he's pretty much said the same as you!

At least i've had a bit of a holiday whilst living in Ohio ;)