Converting FAA licenses into JAA/ICAO

[KE093]

I heard from somewhere that converting FAA licenses into JAA licenses are thougher than the other way around. What do you have to convert your license? Additionally, I have never read how to get ICAO license. What do yo have to do to get one?

 

[Kenny]

Are you mad!!!

Having done this fairly recently I can tell you that it is an absolute nightmare and there isn't really a conversion per se from an FAA ATP to a JAA ATPL.

But here's what you would have to do, assuming you already have an FAA ATP.

14 Written Exams.

Multiple choice ranging from 1 hour to 3 hours long. There aren't any shortcuts with these. It's basically like doing a 4 year aviation degree and will take you a minimum of 10 months of study. (That's what it took me doing 25 hours of study a week) They're broken into two modules and you have to pass the first module to be able to sit the exams for the second module. Oh and just to complicate things even more you have 24 months to sit and pass all the exams from the time you sit your first exam.

CPL-Flight test.

Just like your FAA commercial flight test, but nothing like chandelles, lazy 8's etc and with a lot more emphasis on X-C navigation. The standards are generally more tightly enforced on the test. I had one friend who busted his checkride because he missed his after TO checklist!!. Most tend to do this in a single engine due to cost. With an FAA ATP, you'd only have to do whateve time was required to get you up to checkride standard. If you're proficient in a PA28/C172 and a fairly decent stick maybe 15-20 hours. Most of the time is spent learning how to do things their way.

Multi Eng/IR

Most people tend to leave this until last due to the fact that it without a doubt a complete beotch. +/-5 HDG and +/- 50 ALT at all times. And the examiners where I did mine did hold students to these. Again most tend to do the multi and IR at the same time and you're probably looking at 15-20 hours again if you're not proficient at single pilot IR in a multi.

MCC

A few years back the JAA decided in their infinite wisdom that you would only be issued an ATPL if you had done an MCC course. It's a complete joke as it'll cost roughly $3500-$5500 and is entirely attendance based, ie no exams or tests. Oh and when you get to an Airline, you'll do their CRM course anyway.


A few things to note:

The exams have to be done through an approved school so they can keep track of the amount of hours you study. So plan on $4000 just for the notes. I did mine at Oxford Air Training, which is generally accepted as having the best notes.


The flying for both the CPL and Multi/IR can be done in the US. There are a few schools out there approved to do the flight training but you can't take the Flight test for the IR in anything other than EU airspace.

There isn't a flight test for the ATPL as there is here. Their CPL is to ATP standards and once passed you are issued a "frozen" ATPL, which becomes unfrozen when you get the hourly requirement.

The MCC requirement is waived if you have 500 hours of multi crew experience

Now if that hasn't put you off, plan on paying for your type if you don't already have at least 737/320 experience. Its the norm over there for this to happen and currently you are looking at $20,000 for a 738 type.

Now, if you are one of the lucky ones that has at least 3000TT and at least 1500 PIC in an AC weighing over 20000lbs over international routes you are exempted from doing the exams. But would still have to do the flight tests.

Still want to get a JAA ATPL???


As far as the ICAO ATP is concerned, if you have an ATP from a contracting state within ICAO you're license is deemed to be an ICAO license. So if Cathay asks for an ICAO license you don't have to go and get one beacuse the US is in ICAO and your FAA ticket is good to go.

Hope that helps.

 

[IrishFlyer]

Hi Kenny,

That was a highly informative post. I was going to do the conversion to JAA but was totally put off by the cost. Especially now that most airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet require a type rating for you to even be considered, it’s ridiculous.

BTW congratulations on getting your conversion done. Do you plan to fly in Europe?

I have a question for you.

Now, if you are one of the lucky ones that has at least 3000TT and at least 1500 PIC in an AC weighing over 20000lbs over international routes you are exempted from doing the exams. But would still have to do the flight tests.

Any idea why it has to be over International routes?

All the best,

IF