Obtaining an FAA Professional Licence

[rudestuff]

Your best bet is to get an FAA PPL and hour build in the states - its way cheaper than the UK.
People keep talking about 'converting' licenses - totally unneccesary with a PPL. You can fly in the UK on G or N reg with an FAA PPL. Once you've got it, you'll need to do a flight review with a CFI every 24 months to keep using it - way easier I believe, than a JAR license - plus it's not type specific - if you take your PPL checkride in an R22 you can fly anything under 12,500lbs.
As i understand it, under JAR you have to take a seperate test in each type you want to fly (anybody?)
Of course, when you come back and rent you'll need to show an FI that you can navigate using those rediculously complicated CAA charts, but other than that you should be good to go.
Persononally, I'd also get FAA commercial - when you come back you can convert it, which means you don't have to do the full groundschool (i think 400 hrs ish at cpl level) and you wont have to do the 30hrs flying either - just take all the tests.
Or just move to the US permanently and skip all the bulls**t

[up and go]

FAA conversion

One thing to remember, is If you want the FAA to recognise your CPL you will need to register with TSA at their Alien flight student Program Website https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov ..... which includes having your fingerprints verified by an approved organisation. This can take up to 90 days, so its best to get things rolling before you leave.
The other option is to start from ppl level, still using your exsisting hours, should take about 10 hours to cpl level...( Min 3 hours Ppl instr, and Min 3 hrs CPL Instr + 1.5 flight test x2) . If you already have time on type and all the prerequisites its a way to get around the 90 day wait.

As for study material. Dauntless software, available online at http://www.dauntless-soft.com is the very best, for around USD$40.00 you get every thing you need including tutorials, also practice tests and sign off for pink slips prior to sitting exams. Laid out in the same format as the exams
hope this helps

[TheFlyingSquirrel]

I was very happy with the ASA software - the software auto updates the question bank for you online. Only $50 per exam class section.

http://www.asa2fly.com/product1.asp?...roduct_ID=669&

[Garfs]

Thanks.

Would love to move to the USA but unfortunately work visas and stuff pose a problem

So if I have an FAA CPL all I need to do is take the exams to convert it back in the UK? Sounds great.

[Garfs]

Originally Posted by zxcvbn

Garfs:
is not a "coversion" process.
you have to sit the 14 ATPL exams (total cost about 2,500 pounds) and then do enough training to get to the standard to sit the JAA CPL(H) flight test.
all having a FAA CPL(H) means is that you do not have to sit a full 30 hour JAA CPL(H) flying course

Thanks for clarifying that

[Jordan3054]

So wouldnt it be better to just come back to the UK and do a modular once u have enough hours if converting an FAA license involves that much?

Anyone done either and which option do you think is better?i.e. both FAA and JAA or just JAA CPL(H)

[pa42]

does USA RH Commercial really require RH Private prerequisite?

FAR 61.129 says one of the pre-requisites for a Commercial Certificate is a Private Pilot Certificate--but it doesn't say it has to be in the same category, so it's been assumed in some circles that a Private Pilot Airplane certificate satisfied the requirement when taking the Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft-Helicopter test.

Now, it appears, the Practical Test Standards for Commercial Helicopter have been revised (or maybe it's been there for a long time and it just FEELS new) so that it is very clearly stated that the applicant must hold a Private Pilot Rotorcraft Certificate.

A change? Or has the intent been, all along, that demonstration of the Private rotorcraft skills is necessarily done, along with receipt of the Private Certificate, and then almost immediately re-performed for the Commercial? Is there an evolutionary progression in the implementation that one might track by having old copies of the PTS? Is there a web site that deals with these subtleties and their development, or with historical archives of older versions of the PTS and the regs?

Sorry if this is an old topic--just don't know quite what search terms to put in to find the answers!

[GOOKJR]

Faa Atp

I'm ex-military(non-USA) heli's, 1000 hrs on helicopters, 1300 instruction on PC7/9's and 2700 total.
I've been trying to find a good flying school that can take me through PPL to ATP IR in about 3 weeks, something I consider very plausible.
However, all the friendly ladies working in the student registry departments can't seem to fathom the concept of current experience on reduction of actual flying time and have all been suggesting 10 hr PPL's for starters!!!!
Any suggestions of more practical schools would be very welcome.
Does anyone know if all the knowledge tests can be written in advance, or if you have to follow the hoops.
Does Dauntless downloads count for 'suitable' groundschool to write the FAA knowledge tests?

The above post naming 10 hrs to CPL sounds like my kinda thing, but where do I find such enlightened people?

[Fly_For_Fun]

Chopperpilot47

Not sure about the "JAR license needs no conversion" thing.

Does that mean with my JAR CPL(H) AND 5000 hours, I can go to the USA and and fly commercially with no conversion to a National License ? Or have I missed the target ?

[ThomasTheTankEngine]

Gaining an FAA CPL(H) Already hold JAA CPL(H)

Hi Everyone

I’m looking at getting an FAA CPL(H) & IR, I already hold a UK issued JAA CPL(H)

I have already read FAR AIM and I’ve read through the postings on pprune.

Based on my experience / flight hours as far as I can see for the FAA CPL I only need 3 hours flight training with a CFI in the proceeding 60 days to the flight test, the commercial theory test and the commercial flight test. (I meet all the other requirements) Could some one confirm this?

Could someone also recommend a good school in the US, pm me if you want.

I’ve spoken to about 4 different flight schools in the U.S. but I get different answers from them with regards to what I need to do for the CPL. One school even told me I need to do 20 hours flight training with a CFI for the FAA CPL, I really got the impression they just wanted to fleece me for as many hours as they could.

The only thing the different schools seemed to agree on was the flight training for the IR, all seemed to agree that I could get a credit for the IR hours I had already flown in the UK.

Any other advice would be appreciated,

Thanks in advance, TTTE.

[Trans Lift]

Sounds about right what you said. If you have all the other requirements then you should be fine. 3 hrs in the preceding 60 days to make sure you're up to scratch. I have a JAA CPL, FI and FAA CFI/CFII. I work for a company in California called SRT Helicopters. I'd be more than happy to help you get your certs. Look us up, www.srthelo.com
We'll hopefully hear from you soon!
Trans Lift

PM me if you want more info

[Jarvy]

I have a JAA(CPL) but with low hours and am living in the US now. Last week went and had a chat with an Irish guy who owns a helicopter company here in Connecticut. Very good and the route to a FAA(CPL) is now clear.
I can give you his details via pm if you like.
Jarvy

[Gordy]

If you have all the other requirements then you should be fine. 3 hrs in the preceding 60 days to make sure you're up to scratch.

As you say---assuming he has all the requirements... private license would be one of them.... I am guessing that it is not quite as simple as you think.

[Trans Lift]

Hey TTTE,
You will be able to get a private cert issued on the basis of your foreign license. You may also be able to add on your IR rating to that Private cert if, according to 61.75 in the FAR, that (1) you have instrument privileges on your current license and (2) that you pass the FAA IR written test 24 months preceding your application. Therefore I think that rules out having to actually pay for IR training over here. If only it worked going the other way!! It will take a couple of weeks for the application to go through but then you will get your PPL(H) with IR rating. Been there done that.
PM if you have any other questions so that people like Gordy wont be a pain in the arse with their comments!!

[Gordy]

PM if you have any other questions so that people like Gordy wont be a pain in the arse with their comments!!

Translift:

Uncalled for I think, as you mentioned in your second post---it may take a week or two. Comment noted. Name noted. Good luck.

TTTE:

To continue: You may need an additional 10 hours after gaining an FAA pvt. You are required to have 10 solo flight time,in the areas of operation listed in Part 61.127. Even though you may have these hours--your logbook may not have been documented correctly. This is taken from the Licensing checklist produced by John Lynch--the FAA authority on the matter:

Except for Commercial Pilot applicants who complete a Part 141 approved Commercial Pilot Certification course of training, the “10 hours of solo flying . . . on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation” for the single engine airplane, multiengine airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, and powered lift ratings would need to reflect at least 20 hours of solo time in the “Solo” box of the aircraft category on the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710-1) to account for the Private Pilot solo aeronautical experience.

Licensing checklist

You may also need to accomplish the night time requirements--not sure if you have 5 hours of solo night or not. Bear in mind this has to be solo--as in you are the sole occupant of the aircraft---dual NOT allowed. Feel free to list your hours and I am sure someone can help you further.

Edited to clarify.

[TrymH]

ATPL vs. CPL+IR

I guess the title is a little obscure as it is supposed to be the same, but bear with me here. I currently do my FAA CPL+IR and my intention is to convert to JAA in a 6 months time. However, I'm confused on all the rules governing the issuance of an ATPL. My plan is to just convert my CPL when I get home.

Here's my current situation: I'll be returning home i 6 months where I have exactly 1 year of free time. That's when Ill do my converting. From there on 1 year of compulsory military service awaits me, after that I'm thinking of going 1 year to Afghanistan to pay off my debt. Then it's job applying time.


I--------------I-------------------I----------------I----------------I------------I
FAA-training Converting CPL Military Afghanistan Job-searching
to dec 09 Dec 09 - jan 10 Jan 10 - 2011 2011-2012 -->

My goal is to work as a cargo master for a couple of years to gain some experience before moving to the boring job of flying in the north sea.
Until then I will only have a CPL and I will then take the IR if I get a job. Who knows, maybe I'll stay onshore.

The questions are the following:
If I do a complete ATPL instead of only a CPL, will it expire before I can do the actual IR flying? It's a question of money. It´s 9 exams as opposed to 14 with a full ATPL.

I won't need more than a CPL for working in the onshore, will I need to redo all the exams when I go for an offshore job 2 years later?

[The Guardian]

Helicopter Training Sequence

I'm interested in getting everyone's thoughts, opinions and experience on an ideal sequence of training in the U.S. I've decided to approach my training in a "professional" manner (even though I'm not sure I'll fly professionally) and would like to get my PPL, Instrument, Commercial and CFI in 200 hours give or take. My biggest question seems to be the sequence. Would diving into an Instrument rating be too much right after your PPL or should I try to stager things out a bit? Perhaps do the PPL, then 20 hours of Dual for the commercial, fly some of the cross-country solos and start mixing in the instrument training? Also, does the instrument training count as PIC hours towards the commercial? I plan on doing all the 40 hours of instrument required in a helicopter because I want to fly helicopters like a professional, not fly a plane or a simulator.... so I'd like to factor that into the training schedule.... any thoughts, personal experience, etc. appreciated...

Also, another question regarding the instrument rating. Does filing and flying solo an IFR flight plan in VMC count as IFR hours when it comes to staying current? Or do you just have to do some hood time every so often? If you're flying airport to airport can you file and fly an IFR fight plan even if you're flying what is most likely a VFR helicopter (assuming VMC the whole way)? Obviously understanding instrument flying and navigation is important but I'm wondering about the day to day practical usefulness of an instrument rating in what seems like a primarily VFR helicopter world....

Thanks

[gwelo shamwari]

§ 61.161 Aeronautical experience: Rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating.

(a) A person who is applying for an airline transport pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating, must have at least 1,200 hours of total time as a pilot that includes at least:

(1) 500 hours of cross-country flight time;

(2) 100 hours of night flight time, of which 15 hours are in helicopters;

(3) 200 hours of flight time in helicopters, which includes at least 75 hours as a pilot in command, or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination thereof; and

(4) 75 hours of instrument flight time in actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions, of which at least 50 hours are obtained in flight with at least 25 hours in helicopters as a pilot in command, or as second in command performing the duties of a pilot in command under the supervision of a pilot in command, or any combination thereof.

(b) Training in a flight simulator or flight training device may be credited toward the instrument flight time requirements of paragraph (a)(4) of this section, subject to the following:

(1) Training in a flight simulator or a flight training device must be accomplished in a flight simulator or flight training device that represents a rotorcraft.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, an applicant may receive credit for not more than a total of 25 hours of simulated instrument time in a flight simulator and flight training device.

(3) A maximum of 50 hours of training in a flight simulator or flight training device may be credited toward the instrument flight time requirements of paragraph (a)(4) of this section if the aeronautical experience is accomplished in an approved course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.


Seems pretty clear... you need 100hrs night logged with at least 15hrs in a Helicopter... a requirement is a requirement is a requirement...

Best solution would be to coordinate to get the additional required night time with the brush-up training - or if a large amount of flight times is required and you have 15hrs helicopter, rent a Cessna 150 with instructor - cheaper option.

Good luck

[rick1128]

The FAA does it a little bit differently. Night time is also an ICAO requirement so the time is built into the certificte requirements. They do not have a separate night rating or endorsement. For special situations, like Alaska, the FAA has a certificate restriction, if the applicant doesn't have the required night time. However, this restriction is only applicable to the Private Pilot Certificate.

[rick1128]

Guardian, you can not log IFR just because you are on an IFR flight plan. You must be under the hood with a CFI or Safety Pilot, or in actual IFR conditions. As for filing an IFR flight plan for VMC conditions only, that is a very gray area. Technically, you are legal as long as you don't enter IFR conditions. However, most helicopters have a placard saying the helicopter is certified for VFR, Day and Night operations. Most pilot examiners want to see you file a IFR flight plan to ensure you know the process. But the helicopter limitations state VFR not VMC. A big difference.

VFR = Visual Flight Rules
VMC = Visual Met Conditions