How do I convert an Australian ATPL (fixed wing) to FAA ATPL?
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How do I convert an Australian ATPL (fixed wing) to FAA ATPL?
Does anyone out there know the easiest way to convert an Australian ATPL (fixed wing) to an FAA ATPL ?
Any war stories from people who have done it and how they did it? I am looking for the simplest way to do it, with the least cost involved.
Cheers
Any war stories from people who have done it and how they did it? I am looking for the simplest way to do it, with the least cost involved.
Cheers
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Faa Atp
have a look here. You will have to hunt around for the right link and then you will be on your way.
Airmen Certification
You can do a FAA medical here in Aussie and then fill out the appropriate forms on the website.
groggy
Airmen Certification
You can do a FAA medical here in Aussie and then fill out the appropriate forms on the website.
groggy
aussie.pilot,
For a start, you could look at the FAA web site ------ and you will find there is no such thing as an "FAA ATPL".
Looking further, you will find there is an ATR (R as in rating) which attaches to a CPL, once you fulfill the various requirements.
Roughly, they are:
A FAA class 1 medical ---- you can do that here.
Meet the minimum hours requirements ---- as I recall, 1500 before you can start the process.
Meet all the security clearance requirements of Homeland Security.
Meet all the requirements for the appropriate visa to enter the country for the relevant purpose ----- you can't rock up as a tourist on the visa waiver scheme and (legally) go flying. Read all the questions very carefully, they mean what they say, as several people I know have found out the hard way ----- when they failed to disclose little disagreements with CASA (or road traffic authorities), even if no conviction was recorded.
Complete the ATR examinations ---- if you are already reasonably experienced and have some familiarity with the world beyond Australia, a short course will do.
Complete the flight test --- how much training you have to do to reach the test standard will be up to you ---- if you are already a very current CPL/ATPL ---- somewhere between 10 - 20 hours, if you are a current pilot flying for a major airline, probably a little less.
Any twit who thinks they come off the back of a cornflakes packet ---- simply has no idea how the FAA achieves the standards it does --- and believe me, from PPL up, the general PRACTICAL flying standards I have experienced in US leave us for dead ---- and they do concentrate on practicalities ---- and this is reflected in the accident statistics ----- comparing Oz and USA, like for like.
If you have any doubts, just get onto the FAA web site, and have a look at what is required for the various practical flying tests, particularly low speed flight ----- funny thing, it's all about stick and rudder skills ----- .
The ratbag examination system here, trick questions and the need to learn "Examiners English" ---- is no measure of aeronautical knowledge or the standards for a license/rating.
Tootle pip!!
For a start, you could look at the FAA web site ------ and you will find there is no such thing as an "FAA ATPL".
Looking further, you will find there is an ATR (R as in rating) which attaches to a CPL, once you fulfill the various requirements.
Roughly, they are:
A FAA class 1 medical ---- you can do that here.
Meet the minimum hours requirements ---- as I recall, 1500 before you can start the process.
Meet all the security clearance requirements of Homeland Security.
Meet all the requirements for the appropriate visa to enter the country for the relevant purpose ----- you can't rock up as a tourist on the visa waiver scheme and (legally) go flying. Read all the questions very carefully, they mean what they say, as several people I know have found out the hard way ----- when they failed to disclose little disagreements with CASA (or road traffic authorities), even if no conviction was recorded.
Complete the ATR examinations ---- if you are already reasonably experienced and have some familiarity with the world beyond Australia, a short course will do.
Complete the flight test --- how much training you have to do to reach the test standard will be up to you ---- if you are already a very current CPL/ATPL ---- somewhere between 10 - 20 hours, if you are a current pilot flying for a major airline, probably a little less.
Any twit who thinks they come off the back of a cornflakes packet ---- simply has no idea how the FAA achieves the standards it does --- and believe me, from PPL up, the general PRACTICAL flying standards I have experienced in US leave us for dead ---- and they do concentrate on practicalities ---- and this is reflected in the accident statistics ----- comparing Oz and USA, like for like.
If you have any doubts, just get onto the FAA web site, and have a look at what is required for the various practical flying tests, particularly low speed flight ----- funny thing, it's all about stick and rudder skills ----- .
The ratbag examination system here, trick questions and the need to learn "Examiners English" ---- is no measure of aeronautical knowledge or the standards for a license/rating.
Tootle pip!!
Go to a FSDO and talk to them, they will issue a commercial certificate based on your Australian licence but it will be endorsed "Not valid for the carriage of persons or property for compensation or hire or for agricultural operations"
This will allow you to fly for the purposes of preparing for the ATP checkride.
You'll also have to get a medical of course and pass the ATP written exam.
Bear in mind that if you want a single and multi engine ATP certificate you'll need to do two checkrides, one in a single and one in a multi.
On completion you will be handed an ATP certificate by the guy who gives the checkride until the permanent one arrives.
That was my experience.
These days of course there are homeland security issues to be dealt with in advance and proof of authenticity of your Australian credentials which must be provided to the FSDO before the process can begin, that's mentioned on the site provided above.
I have no idea what Leadsled is talking about since the only FAA CPL you will have is the one issued and based upon your Australian license which cannot be used for working it would make no sense to attach an "ATR" to it. If you take an ATP checkride you will get an ATP certificate and only an ATP certificate.
This will allow you to fly for the purposes of preparing for the ATP checkride.
You'll also have to get a medical of course and pass the ATP written exam.
Bear in mind that if you want a single and multi engine ATP certificate you'll need to do two checkrides, one in a single and one in a multi.
On completion you will be handed an ATP certificate by the guy who gives the checkride until the permanent one arrives.
That was my experience.
These days of course there are homeland security issues to be dealt with in advance and proof of authenticity of your Australian credentials which must be provided to the FSDO before the process can begin, that's mentioned on the site provided above.
I have no idea what Leadsled is talking about since the only FAA CPL you will have is the one issued and based upon your Australian license which cannot be used for working it would make no sense to attach an "ATR" to it. If you take an ATP checkride you will get an ATP certificate and only an ATP certificate.
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Does anyone know a good study guide
Thanks for the replies.
Does anyone know a good study guide to pass the ATP written exam? I have heard of a book with lots and lots of practice questions.
Cheers
Does anyone know a good study guide to pass the ATP written exam? I have heard of a book with lots and lots of practice questions.
Cheers
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Yeah theres a book with all the questions.
The writtens are a bit better in Ozzie.
Ours...well just memorize the questions.
Gleim is the company that publishes most of the books.
FWIW...its an ATP Certificate...not a Rating or an add on to the Commercial...
My ATP Certificate says "Commercial single engine" on it.
Not the other way around.
The writtens are a bit better in Ozzie.
Ours...well just memorize the questions.
Gleim is the company that publishes most of the books.
FWIW...its an ATP Certificate...not a Rating or an add on to the Commercial...
My ATP Certificate says "Commercial single engine" on it.
Not the other way around.
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Having CASA, CAA and FAA certificates, my experience is that once you have certificates in one country, getting them in another is not as difficult as the initial qualifications. The FAA ratings are well laid out on the faa.gov website, with both knowledge and practical skills clearly stated.
The US system has shared experience and skills knowledge with other national systems and evolved as have other county's systems. After having navigated through the CASA program, the FAA program may appear easier. Having taught ATP ground schools I am of the opinion that the FAA program is much better organized than the CASA system. Not less thorough, just better organized.
When you check out the faa.gov website, you will find the exact requirements for starting on a rating conversion program. You will need to contact an FAA office near where you plan on the training to take place and get your background and CASA certificates checked out before you travel, so that you do not waste time waiting for multiple government drones to do their work. Pick a location in the US that you will enjoy (and the time of year), as the US has some very diverse weather and county side.
Treat it as an adventure and have fun!
By the way, in recent years, the Gleim books have copied the format of another company that provides training material and now are on par with much of the Bob Tait material. Lots of information in some of these books, but it is much more than just memorizing questions. Memorization will not get you past the practical examinations.
The US system has shared experience and skills knowledge with other national systems and evolved as have other county's systems. After having navigated through the CASA program, the FAA program may appear easier. Having taught ATP ground schools I am of the opinion that the FAA program is much better organized than the CASA system. Not less thorough, just better organized.
When you check out the faa.gov website, you will find the exact requirements for starting on a rating conversion program. You will need to contact an FAA office near where you plan on the training to take place and get your background and CASA certificates checked out before you travel, so that you do not waste time waiting for multiple government drones to do their work. Pick a location in the US that you will enjoy (and the time of year), as the US has some very diverse weather and county side.
Treat it as an adventure and have fun!
By the way, in recent years, the Gleim books have copied the format of another company that provides training material and now are on par with much of the Bob Tait material. Lots of information in some of these books, but it is much more than just memorizing questions. Memorization will not get you past the practical examinations.
Ok, need to ask a few more questions on this - maybe someone can assist?
Quick background - I hold a CASA ATPL and MECIR.
I need to sit the FAA ATP exam in the USA on the way to an (FAA) type rating in Canada. I have ALREADY ticked the following boxes:
- FAA 1st Class Medical
- Submitted FAA Form 8060-71 "Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating and Medical Certification" to FAA
- Submitted CASA Form 452 "Flight Crew Licence Verification" to CASA
I'm chasing up the TSA stuff separately also (fingerprinting in Sydney).
I am about to submit FAA form 1600-78 "Request for Visit by Foreign National" to the FAA FSDO - but have one question regarding the "Type of Visa" I will be travelling on.
Am I eligible to use the "Visa Waiver Program" as I will only be conducting the ATP written exam in the USA and the type rating will be conducted in Canada?
Any other info anyone can provide about this process would be gratefully received.
Cheers,
Joe Lighty
Quick background - I hold a CASA ATPL and MECIR.
I need to sit the FAA ATP exam in the USA on the way to an (FAA) type rating in Canada. I have ALREADY ticked the following boxes:
- FAA 1st Class Medical
- Submitted FAA Form 8060-71 "Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating and Medical Certification" to FAA
- Submitted CASA Form 452 "Flight Crew Licence Verification" to CASA
I'm chasing up the TSA stuff separately also (fingerprinting in Sydney).
I am about to submit FAA form 1600-78 "Request for Visit by Foreign National" to the FAA FSDO - but have one question regarding the "Type of Visa" I will be travelling on.
Am I eligible to use the "Visa Waiver Program" as I will only be conducting the ATP written exam in the USA and the type rating will be conducted in Canada?
Any other info anyone can provide about this process would be gratefully received.
Cheers,
Joe Lighty
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G'day Joe,
I have just come back from the States in October having gone through the conversion process. You have certainly ticked most of the boxes off, however be advised that CASA do take some time to send your details of your Australian Licence off to the FAA. For me, I sent all the docs into CASA on August 12th and it took them until October 22nd to send the Verification of Foreign Licence through to the FAA. I am not having a jibe at CASA - that is just how long it takes for them to look at your quals and send them to the FAA via a fax.
You will find the FAA (at least I did) more than helpful - I put down the wrong FSDO on my form and the nice lady from Oklahoma head office said she would just change it for me over the phone and mail the new documents to the new FSDO office. All my documents were at the new FSDO the next day.
As for Visa Waiver - despite what some may say, yes you can do it on the Visa Waiver program. I have done B737 initial, DC-3 recurrent and various others under the Visa Waiver. I have only been asked once by the CBP Officers and I replied that I was on holiday (Tourist) in the US and doing a type rating while I was over there. As long as you don't stay more than 90 days and have your TSA Approvals - you are fine. I have done this once, sometimes twice a year for the last few years.
You are within your rights to enter the United States under the VWP as long as you are there for business or pleasure. If you happen to stop in and do a type rating or exam - that could be considered pleasure to some - the DC3 rating for me certainly was!
As for the FAA ATP - If you already have an Aussie ATPL then you may be sick of reading through the six volumes that Gleim send you. If you know your stuff (and I am assuming you do) and you just want to get them done in the quickest - no fuss way, go to Sheppard Air (and only Sheppard Air). Studied for two weeks (with a 7 month old baby to look after in between) and did the exam in 15 minutes and achieved 91%. I have done Aussie and JAR ATPL exams and was just 'over it'. So, I cannot give praise to Sheppard Air enough (no I do not work for them). iPad - Sheppard Air Program - Follow ALL of their instructions. Works like absolute magic.
FAA also take ages to issue new ATP Certificates (actual plastic cards). Keep this in mind. They are currently issuing certificates from August 30th. You will get a temporary paper one - but most countries outside the US do not accept this as your licence number box says 'PENDING'. So, if you want to fly on it outside the US, beware of the wait period afterwards. Can check it here:
Airmen Certification
under News and Highlights.
Enjoy the States and Canada - a lot less stress (at least for me) than dealing with CASA!
I have just come back from the States in October having gone through the conversion process. You have certainly ticked most of the boxes off, however be advised that CASA do take some time to send your details of your Australian Licence off to the FAA. For me, I sent all the docs into CASA on August 12th and it took them until October 22nd to send the Verification of Foreign Licence through to the FAA. I am not having a jibe at CASA - that is just how long it takes for them to look at your quals and send them to the FAA via a fax.
You will find the FAA (at least I did) more than helpful - I put down the wrong FSDO on my form and the nice lady from Oklahoma head office said she would just change it for me over the phone and mail the new documents to the new FSDO office. All my documents were at the new FSDO the next day.
As for Visa Waiver - despite what some may say, yes you can do it on the Visa Waiver program. I have done B737 initial, DC-3 recurrent and various others under the Visa Waiver. I have only been asked once by the CBP Officers and I replied that I was on holiday (Tourist) in the US and doing a type rating while I was over there. As long as you don't stay more than 90 days and have your TSA Approvals - you are fine. I have done this once, sometimes twice a year for the last few years.
You are within your rights to enter the United States under the VWP as long as you are there for business or pleasure. If you happen to stop in and do a type rating or exam - that could be considered pleasure to some - the DC3 rating for me certainly was!
As for the FAA ATP - If you already have an Aussie ATPL then you may be sick of reading through the six volumes that Gleim send you. If you know your stuff (and I am assuming you do) and you just want to get them done in the quickest - no fuss way, go to Sheppard Air (and only Sheppard Air). Studied for two weeks (with a 7 month old baby to look after in between) and did the exam in 15 minutes and achieved 91%. I have done Aussie and JAR ATPL exams and was just 'over it'. So, I cannot give praise to Sheppard Air enough (no I do not work for them). iPad - Sheppard Air Program - Follow ALL of their instructions. Works like absolute magic.
FAA also take ages to issue new ATP Certificates (actual plastic cards). Keep this in mind. They are currently issuing certificates from August 30th. You will get a temporary paper one - but most countries outside the US do not accept this as your licence number box says 'PENDING'. So, if you want to fly on it outside the US, beware of the wait period afterwards. Can check it here:
Airmen Certification
under News and Highlights.
Enjoy the States and Canada - a lot less stress (at least for me) than dealing with CASA!
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If you know your stuff (and I am assuming you do) and you just want to get them done in the quickest - no fuss way, go to Sheppard Air (and only Sheppard Air).
I just downloaded the Sheppard Air trial software and it's tailored nicely for those who already 'know their stuff' from having completed a full ATPL theory course from Aus or elsewhere. It's essentially exam prep by rote learning the answers to the questions with zero understanding. It even says in the 'study guide', for those questions requiring more than 30 seconds of math calculations, just learn the correct answers, and don't bother learning the calculations. LOL. In some ways, it's makes a mockery of the whole license conversion process.
BTW, does anyone know whether the FAA ATP theory has an expiry date before doing the checkride? Or does it last for ever?
Thanks, gents!
Yep, wondered if CASA may end up being the spanner in the works...
Good advice re the VWP - the TR will take place in Canada anyway, so shouldn't be a big problem.
Appreciate the advice from all!
Joe
Yep, wondered if CASA may end up being the spanner in the works...
Good advice re the VWP - the TR will take place in Canada anyway, so shouldn't be a big problem.
Appreciate the advice from all!
Joe
