ATP VMC Circling Limitation Removal
 

I have an opportunity to get a fairly nice job in China. However, they require that my VMC circling limitation be removed from my ATP. That's fine and all, however, the way my licence reads is that it seems to be tied to each of my type ratings.
Below is how my ATP reads:
================================================== =======

(Name) (Lic#)
XII Ratings

Airline Transport Pilot
Airplane Multiengine Land
B737; CL-65; EMB-145
Commercial Privileges
Airplane Single Engine Land

XII Limitations

English Proficient
ATP Circ. Apch. - VMC Only
B737 CL-65 EMB-145 Circ. Apch. - VMC Only
B737 SIC Privileges Only

================================================== =======

So my question is this:
Do I have to get the limitation removed from each of my type ratings to satisfy my ATP circling approach restriction? Thanks.

There are a couple of reasons that the limitation is there, either the circling maneuver wasn't performed on the type ride, or the runway simply wasn't visible in this (these) particular simulators. I've seen the job posting, it reads no limitations, level IV ICAO english. I do remember a post on one of the forums:VMC circling restriction on ATP: How to remove?
Good luck with that.

Yeah, while FSIMS didn't have anything, the ATP PTS does. (I cut some of the boiler plate out to save your head.)


[LEFT]NOTE: Pilots ... whose manual prohibits a circling approach when the weather
is below 1,000 feet and 3 miles’ visibility, are not required to be checked on the
circling approach and landing from a circling approach. Aircraft type
ratings added to an airline transport pilot certificate issued without
training and checking in the circling maneuver, as authorized, will be
annotated “MD-11 CIRC. APCH-VMC ONLY,” for example. This
restriction may be removed when the circling approach is satisfactorily
demonstrated ... in the appropriate type airplane.
If ... the initial airline transport pilot certificate is issued
coincident with a type rating, with a circling approach restriction, the
airline transport pilot certificate will be annotated, “ATP CIRC. APCHVMC
ONLY, MD-11 CIRC. APCH-VMC ONLY,” for example. This
restriction to the airline transport pilot certificate level will be removed
when the first unrestricted airline transport pilot certificate or airline
transport pilot type rating is issued. The respective circling approach
restriction will then be annotated on the certificate, as listed in the first example.

Thanks for the replies. Twin Wasp, I think what you posted is the best answer I have received so far from my threads (I asked at FI as well).

So I guess the question that no one can really help me with is: Will that satisfy China?

What a headache.

I have a similar problem, but my limitation is only specific to a certain Type aircraft (which I don't fly anymore), and not my ATP, but still, some company in China says "no limitations on Type or License".

Did you ever get this resolved, and if so, how?

You can remove the ATP Circling VMC Only limitation by doing a Practical Test in either an airplane (any AMEL such as the Seminole) or a simulator that is qualified for the circling task. If you do it in the sim, you must have completed a Part 142 course (FSI, etc).


In order to remove the 737 and/or CRJ circling limitation,
you must accomplish a practical test in that specific type (make/model) airplane or simulator.

Yep, just got the call from the FSDO and sure enough, you must do the check ride in that type to get it removed.

what happens if you DON'T have a restriction and you take a job where they do not test you on the circle? Do they place a restriction then?

If you have an ATP without the circling restrictions the new type rating will have the restriction, NOT the ATP.

From what I've heard to the Chinese authorities there is no difference between an ATP with a circling restriction and a type with a circling restriction.

Assuming your ATP is unrestricted but you have a type with a restriction you must either complete a check ride in the type(s) with the circling restriction (where you demonstrate the ability to circle) or surrender the type (have them removed from your certificate permanently).

No, once you have an unrestricted type, it's unresticted for life. New types earned will have the restriction unless you demonstrate a circling approach on the type ride, but your existing cert and types will remain as they are.