I currently had my foreign licence converted to basic PPL. However my licence level is CPL. I would kindly ask is there any shortened courses to obtain my CPL back as soon as possible? I am also looking for airlines jobs as First Officer. I used to work for airlines for 8 years. I appreciate any helps.
Minh,
You will have to call the admissions department and speak directly to them on this one.
As an aside, to work in the US you will either need to be a US citizen or a permanent US legal resident.
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your response. I am a green card holder. How can I contact with the department? If possible can you show me how to make an appointment to speak my case?
Best regards
Call 800-255-2877.
Minh,
I came across this piece from the AOPA on foreign license conversions. I don’t believe the process is any different than what it was for the PPL but I also don’t believe there’s anyway to expedite the process.
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/pic-archive/flight-training-ratings-and-proficiency/foreign-pilot-certification
Adam
Adam,
Thank you for your response. I am asking about accelerated courses because in my application to FAA, I filled my basic exprience which met minimum requirement for CPL. What I am concerned is that if my basic experience does count or not? I can’t find any regulations about this. I appreciate if you help me out.
Minh
Minh,
I’m really no expert but these are the requirements for an FAA Commercial Pilot License:
For an airplane multiengine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
Sec. 61.129 - Aeronautical experience.
**(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes. **
**(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least-- **
**(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and (ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes. **
**(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least-- **
**(i) Ten hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device including attitude instrument flying, partial panel skills, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, and intercepting and tracking navigational systems. Five hours of the 10 hours required on instrument training must be in a multiengine airplane; **
**(ii) 10 hours of training in a multiengine airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch propellers, or is turbine-powered, or for an applicant seeking a multiengine seaplane rating, 10 hours of training in a multiengine seaplane that has flaps and a controllable pitch propeller; **
**(iii) One 2-hour cross country flight in a multiengine airplane in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; **
**(iv) One 2-hour cross country flight in a multiengine airplane in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and **
(v) Three hours in a multiengine airplane with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.
**(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a multiengine airplane or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a multiengine airplane with an authorized instructor (either of which may be credited towards the flight time requirement in paragraph (b)(2) of this section), on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least-- **
**(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point. However, if this requirement is being met in Hawaii, the longest segment need only have a straight-line distance of at least 150 nautical miles; and **
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight with a traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
If you meet all the above you should be fine if not you’ll need to. I recommend you contact the FAA directly.
Adam
Adam,
Thank you for the information. I just came back from the FDSO last week. They approved my PPL and advised to find a flying school to move on with my CPL. Can I just walk in any ATP school and ask for help? I just moved to US couple months and I live in CA.
Minh,
ATP does not do training for individual licenses or ratings. Students must complete the entire program including Instrument, Multi, and CFI’s. What I’m hearing is the FSDO didn’t feel you had all the boxes checked for your Commercial and wants you to finish the requirements and take the Written and Checkride. I think you’d be better served finding a local flight school near your home and have them finish you up.
Adam