FAA-Approved Type Ratings, ATP-CTP & Full-Flight Simulator Training
FAA License Conversion ForEASA Pilots
Streamlined FAA pilot certificate validation and conversion for EASA-licensed pilots seeking FAA commercial or airline transport privileges.
Table Of Contents
Program Overview
How the bridge-focused EASA-to-FAA conversion works and what it covers.
What This Prepares You For
FAA regulatory mastery, NAS proficiency, practical test success, and career portability.
Key Conversion Features
TIP-L optimization, verification support, airspace mastery, ACS training, TSA coordination.
Course Structure
The four conversion phases plus the expected duration and training hours breakdown.
Entry Requirements
License, letter of authenticity, medical, TSA clearance, English, and experience.
EASA To FAA Bridge Conversion
This program is specifically designed for pilots holding EASA PPL, CPL, or ATPL licenses who require an FAA certificate for N-registered aircraft operations or US-based employment. We focus on the "Bridge" training — eliminating redundant EASA knowledge while mastering FAA-specific regulations, airspace, and weather services.
Duration
21-30 Days
Training phase
Training Hours
45-60 Hours
Bridge focused
Note: the training phase runs 21-30 days across 45-60 bridge-focused hours. The FAA verification paperwork runs before training and is the main variable in your overall timeline.
What This Conversion Program Includes
Five bridge components that take an EASA-licensed pilot from credential verification to an FAA check ride.
FAA Verification Support
End-to-end assistance with the FAA Verification of Authenticity request to your EASA issuing authority, including document preparation and follow-up until the Letter of Authenticity is issued.
Regulatory Bridge Training
Targeted instruction on the differences between EASA Part-FCL and 14 CFR — currency, logging, medical rules, and operating limitations — without repeating theory you already hold.
Airspace & Communications
US National Airspace System classes, VFR/IFR procedures, flight following, ATIS/AWOS, and FAA phraseology practised until radio work is second nature.
Technical Evaluation
Structured review of aircraft systems, performance, and weight and balance on the training fleet (Cessna 172 / Piper Archer class aircraft) used for your practical test.
Check Ride Readiness
Mock orals and flight profiles flown to Airman Certification Standards tolerances, including maneuvers such as eights-on-pylons, so the DPE check ride is a formality rather than a surprise.
What This Program Prepares You For
The conversion is measured by what you can do once the FAA certificate is in your hand.
FAA Regulatory Mastery
Confident command of 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91, FAA currency and logging rules, and the differences that most often trip up EASA-trained pilots.
NAS Operational Proficiency
Comfortable operation inside the US National Airspace System — Class B through G, flight following, TFRs, and FAA weather services.
Practical Test Success
Oral and flight performance built to the Airman Certification Standards and presented to a Designated Pilot Examiner.
Global Career Portability
An FAA certificate alongside your EASA license, opening N-registered aircraft operations and US-based employment while keeping European privileges.
Key Conversion Features
How the EASA-to-FAA pathway is structured to remove redundancy and close only the gaps that matter.
Bilateral Agreement (TIP-L) Optimized
The pathway is built around the FAA-EASA Technical Implementation Procedures for Licensing, in force since 18 May 2021. The plan credits what the bilateral framework recognizes and trains only the delta, rather than restarting your license from zero.
FAA Verification & Admin Support
We prepare and track the Verification of Authenticity request with your EASA authority, coordinate FSDO or IACRA steps, and keep your file moving while you are still overseas. Administrative lead time is the single biggest driver of your total timeline.
NAS Airspace & Communication Mastery
Dedicated sessions on US airspace structure, clearance delivery, radar services, and FAA phraseology — the areas where EASA-trained pilots most often need bridging before a check ride.
ACS-Aligned Flight Training
Every flight lesson maps to a specific Airman Certification Standards task and tolerance, so training time is spent closing measurable gaps instead of repeating maneuvers you already fly to standard.
TSA & AFSP Coordination
Guidance through Alien Flight Student Program registration and fingerprinting where flight training requires it, sequenced so clearance does not stall your arrival date.
Instrument Proficiency (IFP) Focus
Instrument work is bridged to FAA procedures, approach charts, and holding conventions so your existing instrument privileges transfer into confident FAA-standard IFR flying.
Course Structure
Four sequenced phases, from the paperwork you start at home through the check ride with a Designated Pilot Examiner.
Phase 01 · 45-90 days pre-arrival
Administrative Verification & TSA Phase
Before you travel, we open the FAA Verification of Authenticity request with your EASA issuing authority and start TSA/AFSP processing where required. This phase runs remotely and in parallel with your current job, and its length is driven by authority response times rather than by training.
- FAA Verification of Authenticity request submitted to your EASA authority.
- IACRA profile setup and FSDO/DPE coordination.
- TSA Alien Flight Student Program registration and fingerprinting where applicable.
- Document pack review: license, medical, passport, logbook summary.
Outcome: Letter of Authenticity issued and clearances in place so training can begin the week you arrive.
Source: FAA Form 8060-71 — Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License
Phase 02 · 30-40 hours
Ground Bridge & Knowledge Test Prep
Classroom and self-study work focused strictly on the FAA delta: 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91, US airspace, FAA weather products and services, chart interpretation, and the knowledge test bank for the certificate you are converting to.
- 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 91 regulatory bridge.
- US National Airspace System, VFR/IFR procedures, and phraseology.
- FAA weather services, products, and flight planning conventions.
- Knowledge test preparation, scheduling, and sitting at an approved testing center.
Outcome: Required FAA knowledge test passed with a valid score report in hand for the practical test.
Phase 03
Flight Proficiency & ACS Alignment
Flight training in the training fleet (Cessna 172 / Piper Archer class) to align your existing skills with Airman Certification Standards tolerances. Emphasis is on FAA maneuver definitions, radio work in live US airspace, and the tasks EASA syllabi treat differently.
- ACS maneuver alignment including eights-on-pylons and FAA-specific tasks.
- Cross-country and airspace operations with ATC flight following.
- Instrument procedure bridging where instrument privileges are being converted.
- Progress checks flown to published ACS tolerances.
Outcome: Flight performance consistently inside ACS tolerances and an instructor endorsement for the practical test.
Phase 04
The FAA Practical Test (Check Ride)
A full mock oral and flight profile precedes the practical test with a Designated Pilot Examiner. The check ride covers the oral knowledge portion and the flight portion, ending — on a successful result — with your temporary FAA airman certificate.
- Mock oral run under examiner conditions.
- Final ACS flight profile and readiness sign-off.
- DPE scheduling, paperwork, and IACRA submission.
- Temporary FAA certificate issued on the day of a successful check ride.
Outcome: FAA pilot certificate issued, with privileges to operate N-registered aircraft.
Reference
Expected Duration & Training Hours
| Stage | Calendar Time | Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative & TSA (remote) | 60+ days | No training hours — authority processing |
| Ground Bridge Training | 7-10 days | 30 hours |
| Flight Training | 10-14 days | 15-20 hours |
| Check Ride | 1-2 days | 4-6 hours |
Note: this stage-by-stage reference includes the remote administrative period, which runs before training begins and sits outside the published 21-30 day / 45-60 hour training figure.
Entry Requirements
What must be in place before an EASA-licensed pilot can begin FAA conversion training.
Valid EASA Part-FCL License
- Current EASA PPL, CPL, or ATPL issued by an EASA member state authority
- Privileges must be unrestricted and not suspended at time of application
- Ratings being converted must be current on the EASA license
FAA Letter of Authenticity
- FAA Verification of Authenticity request submitted to your issuing authority
- Letter of Authenticity must be on file before the practical test
- Processing time is controlled by the issuing authority, not by the school
Medical Certification
- FAA medical certificate appropriate to the certificate level sought
- Issued by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner
- An EASA Class 1 or Class 2 medical does not substitute for the FAA medical
TSA / AFSP Clearance
- Alien Flight Student Program registration where flight training is required
- Fingerprinting at an approved collection site
- Clearance must be granted before flight instruction begins
English Language Proficiency
- ICAO English Level 4 or higher, or FAA English proficiency demonstration
- All ground instruction, radio work, and testing is conducted in English
- Required for the oral portion of the practical test
Aeronautical Experience
- 250 hours total time for the FAA Commercial Pilot certificate under 14 CFR Part 61
- 1,500 hours total time for the unrestricted FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate
- Logbook must be summarized in FAA categories for the eligibility review
Related Programs
Other pathways EASA-licensed pilots commonly pair with an FAA conversion.
FAA License Conversion Hub
Compare every conversion pathway — EASA, DGCA, and ICAO to FAA ATP — in one place.
View PageICAO to FAA ATP Conversion
The airline pathway for pilots converting to an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
View PageDGCA to FAA Conversion
The equivalent bridge pathway for pilots holding an Indian DGCA license.
View PageATP-CTP Certification
Required before the FAA ATP written exam for pilots targeting US airline employment.
View PageType Rating Programs
Add an A320, A330, ATR, B737, B737 Classic, or B757 type rating after conversion.
View PageSimulator Training
Hourly and recurrent full-flight simulator time for pilots already type rated.
View PageConverting to an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate instead? See the ICAO to FAA ATP pathway.
EASA To FAA FAQs
Timelines, TIP-L, written exams, and how conversion fits alongside a type rating.