foriegn atpl conversion to faa atpl
 

hi,

i am holding an indian ATPL licence with airbus 320 type rated and having approx 6000 hours of flying out of which 2200 hours of command on airbus 320.
recently i have moved to the united states on a permanent immigrant visa. i would like to know how do i convert my indian ATPL to FAA ATPL with airbus 320 type rated on it. I also need a consultant who can guide me how and where to apply to join an airline.

Google FSIMS. Then look at Order 8900.1: Volume 5, Chapter 2,Section 14: Issue a 14 CFR Part 61 U.S. Pilot Certificate on the Basis of a Foreign Pilot License

You can't "convert" it from one to another...

Call your local Flight Standards District Office for more info...

there are two ways to go about getting your U.S. ATP:

get a U.S. private pilot certificate based on a foreign license. you will need to take an abbreviated instrument written. with this, get three hours test prep, pass the commercial written, and take the commercial pilot practical examination. with this, take the ATP written, and take the ATP practical examination.

the second method is far easier; take the ATP written and take the ATP practical exam using your foreign ATP as basis. the only problem with this route is that the A320 type will not transfer.

it will transfer on to the private based on a foreign, and then transfer to the commercial, and then to the ATP. so more convoluted route, but you obviously want to keep the type rating.

i guess there is one other method, and that would be to take an A320 type ride in a 142 school (flight safety, CAE, simuflight, etc.), and also have them issue you an ATP certificate, again basing it on your foreign ATP.

so, yeah, i guess there are three ways you can get the US ATP, but only two will have the A320 type on it. i would assume that my last suggestion is cost prohibitive.

check with your local FSDO to confirm.

Hello capt Ramesh

Welcome to USA

Converting your stuff here is a lot LOTTTT easier than DGCA but U need to know your destination...... where are U headed & what are your intentions... so U move to convert your stuff in either a cost effective or expidited way.

Like pointed above, YES you could convert your ATP with A320 type & do a checkride, If U have a job lined up, you need to move quick because of recency requirements. If not looking to join anything anytime soon, All U need to do is get ATP regular. Who so ever would hire U, they may do the type check ride for you.

2nd & most important thing, I would personally refrain from obaitining anything based indian DGCA LIC because indian Licences expire & when that expires, FAA ATP expires..... U would also need to keep visiting CME very regularly to keep Indian Medical current.

You will very soon also find out that even though getting a lic is very easy in US, getting a job is not & even if you get one, the GLORY of a commander is not the same......

You may not really like the environment after a bit, so pls keep Indian DGCA current.

U will also need to get signoffs, flying practise for check ride preperation and checkouts for writtens & checkrides. If U don't know anyone here, Pls feel free to PM me. I know a few people who can help U and depending on where U are in USA, they should be able to do your practise & checkrides.

Bye the way, which airline did U fly for, if U don't mind me asking.

that isn't correct.

the US commercial and ATP certificates are NOT based on foreign licenses, and thus do not require foreign license currency.

only the US Private based on a foreign license requires the foreign license to be current and valid.

.

This is the easiest way to get to your objective. The license will not be based on your DCGA ATP per se - but you use your logged flight time from India and your DGCA ATP to meet the experience requirements. The license you get will stand on its own merits, unlike the private certificate based on a foreign license. You must pass the FAA ATP written first. I'll add Higher Power to the list above, and personally know people who've gotten FAA ATP's there based on Indian flying. Contact the school of your choice; they'll tell you how to proceed. I may not have all of the details right (no part 61 handy), but the sim. method will get you an unrestricted license and the A320 type. There's often a wide range in price. The best overall choices are "mid-range", usually.

Now as to getting hired? Get in line. :)

I would agree with a lot with what has been said above, get a PPL based upon your foriegn Lic, that will save U one written, 1 checkride & at least $1000.00

Then ask a FSDO if they would let U skip the commercial checkride & do a check ride straight for ATP, using the base that U have a foriegn ATP. Just use the logbook & hours, give FAA ATP written & checkride, that will give U an unrestricted FAA ATP, which will never expire, as long as U keep your FAA med current.

Skipping the commercial written & check ride should save U another $1500, again if they let U do that.

U have to remember, every written is $150 & check ride fee for examiner is $400 to $500 plus plane rental plus check out from instructor.

As far as 320 Check, I agree with PILOTBABA, let an airline hire U first, then do a sim check or at least have a firm offer in hand before spending the money on type check.

He doesn't have to "ask a FSDO if they would let U[sic] skip the commercial checkride..." One, FSDOs don't make policy and two, it's in the regs already that since he holds an Indian ATP, he doesn't need a Commercial certificate to take the ATP written and checkride.

Hi Rotorhead
Do you mind providing me contact information regarding persons who have gone through this process?

Thanks in advance.

CaptRamesh

I don't want to post names on the forum, and I can't PM you.


They all (at least the ones I knew) did it at Higher Power Aviation in Ft. Worth, who (along with several other sim. centers) can walk you through the process. This was all on the NG, of course, but HPA has a 320 simulator now.