EASA CPL --> FAA CPL
 

I am lost in bureaucracy so maybe I am better off asking here. I am the holder of an EASA Frozen ATPL which basically is a CPL with ATPL written exams passed. I will also soon have a 737CL+NG TR on my licence and I am trying to figure out what I will need to do to obtain a FAA CPL.

Read part 61

There’s already a few threads on this further down. Explains pretty much everything.

And also what the person above said, read part 61 it’s spelled out in there fairly easy enough to understand the req’s

You get a FAA private certificate. You can do the paper shuffle under 61.75 to get it. You must hold a FAA PVT to apply for the FAA COMM. Then you get at least a FAA second class medical. Then you get signed off to take the written test and pass the written. You must have 20 hours flight instruction covering the items listed in 61.129. How much of your prior instruction would apply to these requirements would have to be worked out on a case by case basis. There must be at least three hours instruction and a sign off for the checkride within the two preceding months. And then you pass the checkride.

The short version is there is no short cut or "conversion" for foreign license holders looking for a FAA COMM.

Incorrect.

If he has all the aeronautical experience required by part 61 and a valid icao CPL and instrument rating then all he needs is verification of his foreign license, FAA medical, atp-ctp course, atp written and then the flight test with TSA clearance for both atp-ctp and flight test if using a different school/type.

No need to bother at all with pvt and CPL in FAA system.

I did exactly this when I joined a US regional, using my australian airplane CPL and instrument rating.

The regional paid for everything though.

Havick is incorrect. It's all in part 61.

That’s exactly how I switched over my Australian CPL and instrument rating to an FAA ATP about 14 months ago.

Scroll down to the part where it talks about gaining an ATP on the basis of a foreign license.

71.153, (d) 3.

I am correct this is exactly the method how I did it. I don’t have an FAA pvt or commercial at all, only an ATP.

I turned up to my flight test with my Australian license/instrument rating, letter of verification, ATP-CTP certificate, flight test form and FAA medical in hand. That’s it.

The OP asked about getting a FAA commercial certificate. Yes, you can skip all the lower levels if your going for a FAA ATP but not the commercial.

Ok currently eating my hat as we speak. Misread the first post and assumed he wanted an ATP.

Yes you are correct in the process then if that’s the case.

Havick is correct.

Thanks for the replies, will do my search.
And yes, FAA CPL. Will work towards the ATP when I will have the minimum requirements.

Easa holder
 

I also have an EASA license full ATP with 737 on it 300-900 and have over 3000 hours 737 time, and converted but converted through my Canadian ATPL not my EASA for the simple reason, A UK ATPL would have given me an FAA private licence.

Best thing to do so you have first hand information is contact a FISDO office and talk with an inspector. This is what I did before my move from Europe and it was him who told me exactly how to do it. I was employed out of Manchester UK before the move, I am currently living in Florida and employed with a 121 carrier here now. So I did the full meal deal including green card ect.

Yes, there is an agreement between the FAA and Transport Canada to convert licenses. So the holder of a TC license, after passing a FAA medical and passing a short (~40 question) written exam can get the equivalent level FAA certificate without a checkride. But that only works for TC licenses and only if the TC license was earned in Canada. The FAA certificate will not be granted if the TC license is based on a third country's license.