FAA to ICAO

[platinumclub]

Anyone know what kind of process I need to take to convert my current FAA licenses to ICAO? I've tried looking online but haven't found much info. Is it as much of a pain as JAA, or easier. Thanks for the help.

-plat

 

[Atccfi]

I think there was an exact post about a week ago. Do a search and you'll see it. Good luck

 

[Flechas]

I think if you have an FAA license you have an ICAO license, I dont think there is such a thing as getting an ICAO license.

 

[xdashdriver]

Here we go again....

Unless youre FAA certificate specifically states on it that it does not meet ICAO requirements (i.e. Recreational Pilot certificate and some ATP certificates when you do not meet the ICAO minimum flight experience requirements), then it is fully compliant with ICAO standards and is therefore what some people call an "ICAO License" Having said that, ICAO does not issue licenses so calling it that is somewhat of a misnomer.

 

[Clutch_Cargo]

Yep... raysalmon hit it on the head but, if you want it straight from the source, go here: http://icao.org/icao/en/trivia/peltrgFAQ.htm#1

 

[bobbysamd]

FAA certificates v. ICAO licenses

Anyone know what kind of process I need to take to convert my current FAA licenses to ICAO? I've tried looking online but haven't found much info. Is it as much of a pain as JAA, or easier. Thanks for the help.

Inasmuch as the U.S. is a member of the International Civil Aviation Authority ("ICAO"), your FAA certficates are ICAO licenses. Whether a non-U.S. avation authority will convert them to their direct equivalents without taking writtens and/or flight tests is another matter altogether. Even the U.S. won't convert a foreign ticket to its direct equivalent; it will issue a Private based on that license.

Your best advice would be to find out the civil aviation regulations for the country in question. More than likely, you will have to take writtens and a flight test. The issuing country should accept your flight time.

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[JAFI]

ICAO does not issue pilot certificates. It is not a regulatory body like the FAA or Transport Canada. Each country issues certificates. Each country decides which other countries certificates it will honor. Some countries will issue their own certificate based on another countries certificate. That said, the JAA is part of the new European Union where they issue a certificate that is honored by a group of countries. I think the JAA is based on the British/French system and there are schools in Europe that will prepare you for the exams.

One thing about ICAO is that a member state does not have to follow all ICAO "regulations". All a member state has to do in their ICAO certification is say which ICAO regulation it will not follow and still be accepted by ICAO.

JAFI

 

[80/20]

Agree with Bobbysamd and JAFI – you can not get an ICAO license. We just have various interpretation of what a license issued in accordance with ICAO standards means. Don’t think there is any nation that is 100% ICAO. ICAO differences should be listed in the AIP diff section. (AIP is the same as AIM, there is actually also an AIP USA where the AIM has been reformatted into ICAO AIP format with a diff section). From a practical point, the question should be, as said above – what country are you looking at?

The easiest conversions are at the Islands such as Bermuda where a lot of business jets are registered. They will give you a conversion if you have an operator that requests it. All you need is current FAA Certificate (or JAA, etc.), proficiency check, medical and RVSM if applicable.

 

[platinumclub]

I am referring to two companies specifically. The only one anyone would probably know anything about is Cathay Pacific, it states something about an ICAO ticket on their web page, am I good to go than with my U.S. certs, or does anyone know what CX wants specifically? The other is a 135 operator in Lima whom I ferried a Cheyenne for. Cheers!

-plat

 

[bobbysamd]

Cathay Pacific hiring

Based on the website and because a U.S. ATP certificate is an ICAO license, and also because Cathay Pacific has historically hired U.S.-certificated pilots, your ATP would qualify you as long as you meet the other requirements:

Minimum Requirements All First Officer applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. An ICAO Airline Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL)
2. A minimum of 1000 hours in one of the following categories:
   1. Airline Jet Transport
   2. Command Turbo Prop (MAUW greater than 20,000 Kgs)
   3. High Performance Military Jet
   4. Corporate Jet Command
3. A current Class One Medical
4. Fluent spoken & written English
5. Maximum 46 years of age at time of application

An applicant must possess the right to live and work in the chosen Base Area. The Company will not sponsor applications to immigration authorities for Flight Crew to live and work in any port other than Hong Kong.


(emphasis added)

Captain Mac at Flight Crews International periodically ran Cathay Pacific flyers in his newsletter. He always noted that U.S. certificates were acceptable.

Hope that helps a little more.