So I stumbled across this forum recently and can I say! Wow it’s so informative and helpful!
Let me explain why.
So I’m a FO for a regional in the UK currently flying the Saab2000, next month will be TR for the ATR 42/72 fleet and am bonded for a type rating for the embrear 145. I have around 600/700 hours as of this post.
I’ve been trying to understand and wrap my head around the differences between easa and faa, and to make things worse I have no idea what will happen to my European license after brexit, but let’s not go there…
My spouse is an American and we hope to start a life across the pond one day.
As far as I can tell from reading faa websites and requirements I need the magical 1500 hours.
To clarify I am under no illusions that I will be able to skip the queue per say and jump right into a legacy airline.
I know that I will have to play it like everyone else and work at a regional and work my way up and find my own path!
So my question(s) are: does my atpl once unfrozen. Ie after I have taken the atpl skills test/check ride at one of my sim checks and I have the full Airline Transport Pilots License in hand, does that or will I be able to gain or transfer and get a ATP based on my experience and qualifications here?
Also, do airlines there tend to give you your preferred base? For me this would be NY
Though again I’m totally of the understanding that I may not find a job with an airline that operates out of there and may have to build my way up from another out of state.
Ps this forum is great! I have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments and contributions. I find that information about aviation is at times hard to come by or to get straight answers and pages like these make it a lot less overwhelming for everyone!
Cheers and Safe flying, Mairi
Edit: additional information: I am a certified flight instructor and am currently due to graduate with an aviation related degree. Not sure if these being UK curriculum will be of any benefit for me!
As for the ATP question, I really do not know. That is not something that we deal with often here. I would suggest that you call the FAA and ask them directly as that will be an official answer.
Airlines will let you bid your desired bases and will award them in seniority. Due to the extremely high cost of living in the NY area, it is generally not a problem to get based there.
I would suspect that your degree will be just fine for the majors, as long as it is equivalent to a four year degree.
Short answer as I understand it is no. There is no direct conversion from ICAO ATPL to FAA. The good news is you can get your Commercial license verified and then the Regional that hires you here will include the ATP-CTP training as part of your of your newhire training (provided you have the 1500hrs).
As for the bases as Chris said that is determined (as with everything else at the US airlines) by seniority. In the beginning you’ll be based where the airline needs you but as you gain seniority you can transfer. That said NY shouldn’t be a problem.
That was my suspicion with a NY base from the research I done.
I am visiting in March so will make the call then to clarify things up, I was doing some searching on their website and the page I seen before explaining experience based on a foreign license is no longer there so I guess that’s a done deal then.
I’ll pose the next question here too if you don’t mind
Can I get a CPL based on my license here or do you think I’d need to go through the training and sit the exam. Of course as you both said, it’s not something that you often deal with so apologies in advance if I’ve essentially repeated myself. And I understand that with my experience I wouldn’t necessarily need to go through the entire training process for the CPL/IR but would have to take the written along with this.
Might I add those 14 exams were the worst 18months of training but think I could manage a few more !
Edit: I found this, I may be misunderstanding this so excuse me if I am but dose this help my case at all.
“ Or 3) A foreign commercial pilot license (CPL) with an instrument rating or a foreign ATP Certificate with instrument privileges issued by an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) country and a valid verification letter obtained from the Airman Certification Branch (AFS-760).”
But again, you will need to check with the TSA. You are asking questions that are outside our realm of expertise, so it would be best to check with the appropriate officials.
Maurice
I have been an FAA instructor for more than 14 years
If you come to usa with an ATPL EASA ,They will convert it for a PVT pilot license under the FAA.
You have to take an ATP CPT course to get authorization to take the written test.
None of the type you have are going to be given unless you request to be typed on them.
Only then, you will have an FAA fully approved.
Of course ,medical ,language requirements, and so on
But the major thing is the ATP.
but think I could manage a few more !