Conversion of GCAA MPL to FAA ATP
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Joined: Jun 2020
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From: Dubai
Conversion of GCAA MPL to FAA ATP
Hello, I'm a holder of a GCAA MPL with a little over 500 hours on the A320 and I'm trying to figure out how to convert my MPL to a FAA ATP. I do not currently meet the requirements (cross-country, night, PIC hours, etc.) for either a EASA CPL/ATPL or a FAA CPL/ATP. I'm a South Korean national currently in Dubai and I'd like to know if anyone successfully converted their GCAA MPL to a FAA ATP before. Also, what opportunities do I have as a GCAA MPL holder?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: US
It is NOT possible to CONVERT to a FAA ATP (Unless you have a Canadian ATP, that you obtained from scratch, not converted) . You can however use your experience to fulfil the hour requirement. Then you need three steps: 1) complete an ATP-CTP course, 2) pass the written exam, 3) pass a practical exam.
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: indonesia
Can anyone tell me what happened to G9 cadets?
In the middle of 1500 hours line training were they laid off? What about the hours they promised? Will they go home empty handed? It is obvious that they cannot do anything until the fly 1500hours right?
I was just about to start the course and this is hilarious. Someone please explain what is happeing over there?
I was just about to start the course and this is hilarious. Someone please explain what is happeing over there?
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From: Winterthur
This should not be allowed to happen.
There is no way presently to convert a MPL into unrestricted ATPL until reaching the requirement of 1500 hours.
Has your operator really forced you to consider other options with only 500 hours or are you just considering the situation? If it is your case how did they not protect your position with the amount of money you have paid? Perhaps you are entitled to some form of recourse. - Good luck
Has your operator really forced you to consider other options with only 500 hours or are you just considering the situation? If it is your case how did they not protect your position with the amount of money you have paid? Perhaps you are entitled to some form of recourse. - Good luck
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From: Perpetually Commuting
FAA doesn't recognize MPL either. It just does not exist in FAR Part 61. I have been thinking of any alternative method in Korea but I cannot think of anything.
Let this be a warning to those doing MPL program. Many years ago, a lot of guys on pprune mentioned that MPL guys will be stuck in limbo should there be an economic downturn, especially for those who do not have 1500 hrs to apply for ATPL. Forking out north of $150K with a useless license is not a position anyone wants to be in.

Joined: Jun 2019
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From: bigland
You do not need to do anything from scratch! You will get credit on some of the hours you already have. If you want to get the CPL cheaper then go the modular way. But you will have to redo the exams and do some solo/ dual hrs and of course the checkride.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
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From: Winterthur
You do not need to do anything from scratch! You will get credit on some of the hours you already have. If you want to get the CPL cheaper then go the modular way. But you will have to redo the exams and do some solo/ dual hrs and of course the checkride.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Perpetually Commuting
You do not need to do anything from scratch! You will get credit on some of the hours you already have. If you want to get the CPL cheaper then go the modular way. But you will have to redo the exams and do some solo/ dual hrs and of course the checkride.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
Best would be to contact Some flight schools and seek their advice. I know personally someone who converted MPL to CPL. It’s not impossible however with Current travel restrictions It will take you some time.
Then OP needs to do the multi engine rating from the scratch because MPL cannot be used as a basis to issue multi-engine rating based on a foreign license.
Then § 61.65 Instrument rating requirements. Just for instrument rating only, OP needs 40 hours instrument hours (real IMC or under the hood) and 50 hours PIC x-country. This alone will add up a lot in terms of cost because he does not have 50 hours PIC x-country. FAA IR dual time must be given by FAA CFII. No other way around it.
Then §61.129 Aeronautical experience for ME-CPL because FAA ATP requires OP to have FAA ME-CPL.
(b) For an airplane multiengine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— (i) 50 hours in airplanes; and (ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least— (i) 50 hours in airplanes; and (ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in §61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least
I won't even bother with FAA CTP cost and ATP checkride cost because OP does not have 1,500 hrs total.
The cost OP will incur is significant. Pretty much similar to starting from the scratch from PPL.
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From: Winterthur
Excellent post, lee_apromise !






