Hopefully someone will be able to shed some light on this, maybe you know someone who has done it. I am getting conflicting info from DE, and the FAA is not answering my emails and voicemails.
I hold a FAA ATP Multiengine. I had a FAA private pilot Single engine based on a foreign JAR license. That JAR license is not valid anymore, since I havent' used it in quite a while. I do fly for a part 121 carrier here in the US.
I would like to add a single engine class rating to fly private VFR/IFR. What are the requirements to add it ? Do I have to take a private pilot check ride ? Do I have to satisfy the private pilot requirements ? Is there a checkride solely based on the single engine add on ?
I find it a bit strange that I was allowed to fly single engine VFR based on a foreign license without a check ride when I had never flown in the US, and today I fly in the US but I can't fly single engine without a checkride.
I also never heard of someone holding a private pilot single engine that wants to add a multiengine, having to retake a whole private pilot test.

What I can tell you for certain is that since your JAR license is no longer current (or valid) then your US FAA Private ASEL Certificate (aka Restricted FAA PPL) [which is based on your JAR license]. The US FAA PPL is no longer valid either.

You could take a practical test for Added rating, ASEL and add it to your ATP certificate.

Normally you would just do the maneuvers that are on the commercial but not the private e.g. 8's on pylons and chandelles, if my memory serves me correctly.

This is usually done by military pilots who never got a PPL SEL.

You may want to ask this ? to a FBO near a military base where they are more familiar with this scenario.

good luck!

I would go straight for the SE ATP rating. It will likely be an easier add-on than the commercial or private.


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You shouldn't find it strange that you were allowed to fly single engine in the US without a checkride; you held a foreign pilot certificate and your privileges were based on a recognized certificate. You don't hold one any more.

You can add single engine land to your pilot certificate, but you don't need to add it at the ATP level, if you don't want to. You can test to the private pilot level and receive private pilot privileges on your pilot certificate, for single engine. It's up to you.

Testing at the ATP level is neither easier nor less expensive.

Yes -but, yes and yes. You will have to take a checkride but it won't cover all the private checkride stuff. You do have to meet the private requirements but you probably do already. There is a matrix in the PTS of what has to be covered during a checkride if you already hold other rating. Still you hold a MEL ATP you won't have to pass a SEL IFR ride.

Actually, it could be easier, especially for a simple single engine airplane that doesn't have all that much in the way of "performance charts". The emphasis of ATP checks is different, but many of the standards while flying aren't really different or harder. Isn't only a 180 degree turn required for "steep turns"?

Opinion only. My last 4 checkrides have cost the same, and personally I found my comm multi a lot more stressful than my ATP. It was just another 135 ride at that point.


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I was told the same at my local FBO... Said the quickest and easiest method would be to get the SE ATP...

He said get an instructor to fly as many flights as you need to get up to speed on the aircraft for your check ride... Then one flight with an examiner. My FBO recommended a c172 with basic IFR instruments... As the examiner can ask you to fly any approach the plane is capable of... So don't use a Cirrus.

Thank you all for your input.
I must admit that it scares me less to have to demonstrate a few maneuvers (PPL, 1.5hr checkride), than an actual IFR checkride
(ATP 2-2.5hr checkride) in an airplane I haven't flown in 15 years. I also think that it might require more training. I am trying to do this as cheaply as possible. I have the airline pilot syndrome, even though I click the automation on a regular basis, I admit I don't do it for a holding pattern
I think I will go for an hour as a test drive and see how rusty everything is.