South African Comm to FAA comm
 

Good day all.

I hope someone can help me here.

I hold a South African SACAA ICAO Comm Multi Turbine IF and would like to do my FAA comm. Not just a validation but the whole thing as my company has a N reg King Air that they would like me to operate.

My idea was to study for the exams in South Africa and go over and wright the exams there. Then to get about 10 Hours instruction on a twin for flight test prep. Also some ground school for the oral exam as the law differs.

I have phoned soooooo many schools in the US but they all tell me I have to re do all my ground school ( 3 Months ) this is just not payable!

Please if some one can let me know how to go about this it will be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Greenpilot.

Do you have the minimum hours required for an ATP?
If so just go to the USA and write the ATP exam followed by the checkride. I think this will only require one exam.
This will give you the ATP which also includes an Instrument Rating.
Search the forum for what exactly will be required.
If you don't have the hours for the issue of an ATP then the COM and IR will be necessary.
Again search is your friend.
America is a great place to train and fly. I am sure you will enjoy the experience.

It's been a while but these people have been very helpful in the past. There's a wealth of information to be gleaned from telephoning a flight examiner and putting the problem unofficially but directly to him.

Philadelphia FSDO-All Airmen
Philadelphia FSDO Contact the Office

There are FAA offices all over the States. Northeast Philadelphia just happens to be the one with which I am familiar.

You will only get a FAA PPL for your RSA Comm. This is what I did a few years ago - got the ATP study material from a Pilot Shop in RSA - studied for 1 month - its very basic compared to RSA Comm and ATP. Go on FAA website and get your RSA license verified by SACAA so you can use your hours as credit. Once your license has been verified apply for TSA clearance for foreign pilot training (you will need to tell them who will do your training and where - flight schools can help you with this). You can do your FAA medical in RSA before leaving. Then go to USA and write your ATP exam (about 2 hours) you get an instant result. You need to do biometrics (can only be done in USA) before getting approval to do any pilot training (this can take a few days) then either do an initial on a type or find a flight school to do an ATP on a piston twin which will be the cheapest.
Good Luck

Thank you all so much!! Looks like the only way to go is to do the ATP. I will wait for the last 200 Hours and do it like that. Do a Jet rating while i'm there I think :ok:

Thanks all and happy landings

I'll just repost my reply to the poster asking about converting their Indian commercial.


There is no conversion of licences at the commercial level in FAA land. 61.123 lists the basic requirements and the following sections list the other requirements. You must hold a FAA private certificate. A private certificate issued under 61.75 is OK. Then you must pass the commercial knowledge test, receive the required flight training, have your logbook endorsed stating you are ready for the checkride and pass the checkride. Same four steps for the IR.

And of course you have to jump throught the TSA hoops and get a medical.