ICAO to FAA conversion based on converted license
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Joined: Sep 2020
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ICAO to FAA conversion based on converted license
Alright... So I know the topic of ICAO to FAA conversions has been discussed multiple times but I think my situation is a little different....
My base license is a UK CAA CPL/IR I got a job in the middle east and I converted my UK license to an ICAO CPL/IR.
Fast forward a few years. I upgraded my ICAO CPL/IR to an ICAO ATPL. During this time I hadn't renewed anything on my UK CAA and thus my ME-IR has expired.
I want to convert my ICAO ATPL to an FAA ATP but I've read somewhere that if the ICAO license was gained through a license conversion then I wouldn't be able to use it to convert it to an FAA license.
So here's my issue, my ICAO CPL was in fact gained by converting the UK CPL. BUT... the ICAO ATPL was not technically converted since I upgraded the ICAO CPL to an ICAO ATPL.
So... Would I be able to use the ICAO ATPL to convert it to an FAA ATP, or would the FAA still view it as a converted license and ask me for a valid UK CPL?
My base license is a UK CAA CPL/IR I got a job in the middle east and I converted my UK license to an ICAO CPL/IR.
Fast forward a few years. I upgraded my ICAO CPL/IR to an ICAO ATPL. During this time I hadn't renewed anything on my UK CAA and thus my ME-IR has expired.
I want to convert my ICAO ATPL to an FAA ATP but I've read somewhere that if the ICAO license was gained through a license conversion then I wouldn't be able to use it to convert it to an FAA license.
So here's my issue, my ICAO CPL was in fact gained by converting the UK CPL. BUT... the ICAO ATPL was not technically converted since I upgraded the ICAO CPL to an ICAO ATPL.
So... Would I be able to use the ICAO ATPL to convert it to an FAA ATP, or would the FAA still view it as a converted license and ask me for a valid UK CPL?
Last edited by EFB123; 26th February 2025 at 18:17. Reason: Typos...
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,993
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From: Hong Kong
You've answered your own question here. If you passed an ATPL check ride then it's not converted from anything and you are good to go.
A lot of people get confused by the word 'convert'
If you hold a CAA ATPL and go to Canada to 'convert' to TCCA - you need to meet medical, written, experience etc and take a flight test. You might say that you 'converted to TCCA' - but you haven't actually comverted anything - you met the requirements and you hold a full TCCA ATPL.
What the FAA don't want to see is anything with the restriction "only valid when accompanied by UK licence no ####" or words to a similar effect. That is because they themselves issue part 61.75 certificates which are based on a foreign licence. Otherwise known as OTBO or piggyback licences.
A lot of people get confused by the word 'convert'
If you hold a CAA ATPL and go to Canada to 'convert' to TCCA - you need to meet medical, written, experience etc and take a flight test. You might say that you 'converted to TCCA' - but you haven't actually comverted anything - you met the requirements and you hold a full TCCA ATPL.
What the FAA don't want to see is anything with the restriction "only valid when accompanied by UK licence no ####" or words to a similar effect. That is because they themselves issue part 61.75 certificates which are based on a foreign licence. Otherwise known as OTBO or piggyback licences.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 253
Likes: 16
From: Augusta, Georgia, USA (back from Germany again)
It's not converted
Did you take "ICAO" ATPL tests? Did you pass an "ICAO" practical test? Did you start your conversion process with a CAA ATPL? Assuming yes, yes, no.
Your ATPL is not converted from anything.
In FAA Land if you use FAR 61.75 to get a piggy back Private, you can use that Private to get a real, independent Commercial. It's no longer dependent on the validity of the previous-Private's source document.
Go do ATP. "I have an "ICAO" ATPL and would like to get an FAA ATP." Don't say a word about anything behind that. What you have is legit. But don't give anyone an excuse to wonder and go research.
What is your plan to do the conversion?
Your ATPL is not converted from anything.
In FAA Land if you use FAR 61.75 to get a piggy back Private, you can use that Private to get a real, independent Commercial. It's no longer dependent on the validity of the previous-Private's source document.
Go do ATP. "I have an "ICAO" ATPL and would like to get an FAA ATP." Don't say a word about anything behind that. What you have is legit. But don't give anyone an excuse to wonder and go research.
What is your plan to do the conversion?
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 734
Likes: 10
From: London, GB
"Thank you for your response! Is there an FAA email that i can contact and confirm these details with?"
Any FAA inspector familiar with Part 61 will tell you the same thing that rudestuff wrote. You can also speak with someone at the Airman Certification Branch in Oklahoma City for assurance.
To echo the other replies here, your UK CAA licence is irrelevant to the extent that you can rip it up and continue using your MEA ATPL.
"Would I be able to use the ICAO ATPL to convert it to an FAA ATP..."
Only a Canadian ATPL can be converted to an FAA one. In every other case, you must meet the FAA training and testing requirements as set out in 14 CFR 61. You can credit foreign flight (but not sim) training under 14 CFR 61.41. If you want anything other than an ASEL rating, you'll need to complete an FAA ATP-CTP.
Any FAA inspector familiar with Part 61 will tell you the same thing that rudestuff wrote. You can also speak with someone at the Airman Certification Branch in Oklahoma City for assurance.
To echo the other replies here, your UK CAA licence is irrelevant to the extent that you can rip it up and continue using your MEA ATPL.
"Would I be able to use the ICAO ATPL to convert it to an FAA ATP..."
Only a Canadian ATPL can be converted to an FAA one. In every other case, you must meet the FAA training and testing requirements as set out in 14 CFR 61. You can credit foreign flight (but not sim) training under 14 CFR 61.41. If you want anything other than an ASEL rating, you'll need to complete an FAA ATP-CTP.
