Foreign ATP and Commercial Pilots

Below are the common FAQs for our incoming international airline pilots, with at least 1500 of flight time, wanting to obtain an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

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1. When does the training begin?

Once the student receives TSA clearance and an M1 Visa, training may begin at any time being we train on a 1-1 basis around the student’s daily schedule.

2. Is there financing available?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide or refer financial institutions to international students. Financial arrangements must be made in the student’s home country prior to the start of the program.

3. How can one obtain an FAA ATPL if they are a foreign airline pilot with A320 type rating?
  1. Apply for validation and obtain Letter of Verification.
  2. Apply for ATP-CTP course, we offer this program twice per month for only $3,499. This is a mandatory course that every ATP multi-engine candidate must complete.
  3. Obtain TSA approval for the ATP-CTP course and type rating (if you want to take courses congruently). After arrival in the US, you will be fingerprinted for the TSA database.
  4. Complete the ATP-CTP course (7-10 days).
  5. Take the ATP Written exam (125 questions for 4 hours, passing score 70%). You may take the exam at our FAA approved testing facility($160).
  6. Take your ATP training in our light twin aircraft.
  7. Pass your ATP Check ride in the same training aircraft.

 

4. What is the foreign certificate validation process?

You must send documents and request a Letter of Verification from the Miramar, FL Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). The FAA will confirm that you have a valid pilot certificate in another country. This process, which takes up to 90 days, is required according to FAA regulations, section 61.153 “Requirements for candidates for a license for ATP FAA” .

It clearly states that a candidate for an FAA ATP must:

(a) Hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.

(b) Meet the military experience requirements under § 61.73 to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.

(c) Hold either a foreign airline transport pilot certificate or foreign commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating which:

(i) Was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and

(ii) Contains no geographical limitations.

5. What should one do if they are unable to validate foreign pilot certificate?
  1. Go to this website: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/foreign_license_verification/
  2. Download the application under the link: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/AC_Form_8060-71.pdf
  3. And then fill, sign, and scan the application. One of the points of the application (paragraph 11) is a point of confusion for many applicants. Enter: “PPL Multiengine, Instrument rating”. This is not of critically important, because ANY AND ALL foreign licenses are validated with a FAA PPL. About this we have a separate section: Foreign Certificate Validation
  4. Scan your medical certificate. Make sure that it is valid, bilingual and contains your full name as it appears in your passport and is in accordance with your license.
  5. Scan all the completed pages of your foreign pilot’s certificate and send it to: [email protected]

The service is free, there are no state taxes.

6. What if there are issues accessing www.flightschoolcandidates.gov?

The TSA has transitioned to a new website and address: https://www.fts.tsa.dhs.gov/. Please note that some countries may block access to US government portals, so using a VPN is recommended.

7. How much does it cost?
  1. ATP Multiengine Airplane: (No Type Rating)
  • $130 – TSA authorization for the ATP-CTP course
  • $130 – TSA authorization for the ATP course
  • $80 – fingerprints (plus $99 for the Control Form)
  • $3,999 – ATP-CTP program
  • $175 – written test
  • $2-5K – a rough estimate of training costs (7-10 hours on a twin-engine Beechcraft Duchess or Tecnam P2006T) and a checker with an examiner
  • $1000 – cash fee to the examiner (Airplane use for check ride is $800)

Total: Approximately $10-12K including checkride. Accommodation, food, and transportation is not included. Plan on staying for at least two weeks.

2.ATP Multiengine Airplane+ Type Rating

  • $130 – TSA authorization for the ATP-CTP course
  • $130 – TSA authorization for the type rating course
  • $80 – fingerprints (plus $99 for the Control Form)
  • $3,999 – ATP-CTP program
  • $175 – written test
  • $11,200 – Airbus 320 initial type rating (14-21 days)

Approximate Total: $17,000

3. ATP only (If already Type Rated)

  • $130 – TSA authorization for the ATP-CTP course
  • $130 – TSA authorization for the type rating course
  • $80 – fingerprints (plus $99 for the Control Form)
  • $3,999 – ATP-CTP program
  • $175 – written test
  • $8,200 – Airbus 320 type upgrade / Foreign License Conversion

Approximate Total: $14,000