FAA-Approved Type Ratings, ATP-CTP & Full-Flight Simulator Training
ICAO To FAAATP License Conversion
Comprehensive FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification for ICAO-licensed pilots seeking the highest level of U.S. pilot certification for global airline careers.
Table Of Contents
What This Prepares You For
Unrestricted FAA ATP certification, multi-engine command, and global career mobility.
Key Conversion Features
ATP-CTP mastery, full-motion jet simulation, and professional mentorship.
Course Structure
Four conversion phases from ATP-CTP through the FAA practical test.
Entry Requirements
Verification, 14 CFR 61.159 experience, license, medical, English, and TSA clearance.
FAQs
Pathway differences, ATP-CTP inclusion, verification timelines, and flight hours.
ICAO To FAA ATP Conversion
This program is specifically designed for international pilots holding an ICAO-compliant Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). The ICAO to FAA ATP Conversion is a structured pathway to earn an unrestricted FAA Multi-Engine Land (AMEL) ATP certificate. Unlike a simple validation, this process involves a mandatory certification program (ATP-CTP), a written knowledge test, and a practical flight evaluation (Check Ride) to ensure full alignment with 14 CFR Part 61 standards.
Duration
14-21 Days
Post-verification
Training Hours
45-55 Hours
Ground, sim & flight
What This Conversion Program Includes
Six components that take an ICAO-licensed pilot from credential verification to the FAA ATP check ride.
Letter of Authenticity
End-to-end support for the FAA Verification of Authenticity request (AFS-760) with your ICAO licensing authority, including document preparation and follow-up until the Letter of Authenticity is issued.
ATP-CTP
The mandatory Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program — the prerequisite every candidate must complete before sitting the FAA ATP knowledge test.
FAA Knowledge Test Preparation
Focused preparation for the FAA ATP Multi-Engine (ATM) knowledge test, built around your existing ICAO ATPL theory so study time targets only the FAA-specific material.
Advanced Simulation
Full-motion, Level D simulator sessions in a multi-engine jet transport environment covering air carrier standard operating procedures, crew coordination, and jet handling.
ATP Flight Proficiency
Flight training aligned to the ATP Airman Certification Standards so your ICAO experience translates directly into FAA-standard performance across every required task.
FAA Practical Exam
Complete preparation and scheduling for the ATP practical test with a Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA inspector, ending — on success — with your FAA ATP certificate.
What This Program Prepares You For
The conversion is measured by what you can do once the FAA ATP certificate is in your hand.
Unrestricted FAA ATP Certification
The highest level of FAA pilot certification, issued as a Multi-Engine Land ATP certificate recognized by US air carriers and operators worldwide.
ATP-CTP Compliance
The mandatory 14 CFR 61.156 certification training completed and documented, satisfying the regulatory gateway to the ATP written and practical tests.
FAA Multi-Engine Command
Multi-engine airline transport privileges on N-registered aircraft, demonstrated to ATP Airman Certification Standards tolerances in a jet transport environment.
Global Career Mobility
An FAA ATP certificate alongside your ICAO license — the credential combination most often requested by US airlines, cargo operators, and international carriers recruiting globally.
Key FAA ATP Conversion Features
How the ICAO-to-FAA ATP pathway combines mandatory certification training with airline-level simulation.
ATP-CTP & Written Exam Mastery
The program starts with the mandatory ATP Certification Training Program — 30 hours of ground instruction covering aerodynamics, automation, adverse weather, and air carrier operations, plus 10 hours of full-flight simulator time including upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT). From there, preparation narrows to the FAA ATP Multi-Engine (ATM) knowledge test, targeting the FAA-specific material your ICAO ATPL theory does not already cover.
Full-Motion Jet Simulation
Training is conducted in Level D full-motion jet simulators, the same standard used for airline type rating and recurrent training. Sessions build air carrier standard operating procedures, crew resource management in a two-pilot environment, high-altitude and high-speed handling, and the abnormal and emergency profiles examiners expect at ATP level.
Professional Mentorship
Every conversion candidate is paired with instructor pilots who hold FAA ATP certificates and have airline operations experience. Mentorship covers more than check ride preparation: FAA documentation conventions, US air carrier hiring expectations, and how to present ICAO logbook experience to US operators.
Course Structure
Four sequenced phases, from the mandatory ATP-CTP through the FAA practical test with a Designated Pilot Examiner.
Phase 01 · 6-7 days · 30hr ground / 10hr sim
ATP-CTP (Certification Training Program)
The mandatory ATP-CTP course covers high-altitude aerodynamics, adverse weather operations, upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT), and advanced CRM. Full curriculum details are on the dedicated ATP-CTP program page. Completing ATP-CTP earns the graduation certificate required before the FAA knowledge test can be taken.
Outcome: ATP-CTP graduation certificate in hand — the prerequisite to sit the FAA ATP knowledge test.
Phase 02 · 125-question exam
FAA Knowledge Test (ATM)
The FAA Airline Transport Pilot Multi-Engine (ATM) knowledge test is a 125-question computer-based exam taken at an approved testing center. Preparation is built around your existing ICAO ATPL theory, concentrating on FAA-specific regulations, US airspace and operating rules, FAA weather products, and chart conventions.
- Focused study program mapped to the ATM test blueprint.
- FAA-specific regulations, airspace, and weather services.
- Practice testing and instructor review of weak areas.
- Exam scheduling at an approved FAA testing center.
Outcome: A passing ATM knowledge test report, valid for your ATP practical test.
Phase 03
ATP Flight Training & Proficiency
Flight and simulator training aligned to the ATP Airman Certification Standards. Emphasis is on the areas where ICAO and FAA practice diverge: FAA phraseology and clearances, US airspace operations, instrument procedures to FAA standards, and multi-engine jet handling to ATP tolerances.
- Level D full-motion simulator sessions in a multi-engine jet environment.
- Normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures to ATP ACS tolerances.
- US airspace, FAA clearances, and radio phraseology.
- Progress checks flown to published ATP Airman Certification Standards.
Outcome: Performance consistently inside ATP ACS tolerances with an instructor endorsement for the practical test.
Phase 04 · 4-6 hours
FAA Practical Test (Check Ride)
The FAA ATP practical test combines an oral examination and a flight evaluation with a Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA inspector. A full mock oral and flight profile precede the check ride, and on a successful result your temporary FAA ATP airman certificate is issued the same day.
- Mock oral examination under examiner conditions.
- Final ATP ACS flight profile and readiness sign-off.
- DPE scheduling, IACRA paperwork, and application submission.
- Temporary FAA ATP certificate issued on the day of a successful check ride.
Outcome: Unrestricted FAA Multi-Engine Land ATP certificate — the highest level of FAA pilot certification.
Reference
Expected Duration & Training Hours
| Stage | Calendar Time | Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Verification & TSA (remote) | 45-90 days | No training hours — authority processing |
| Full Program (post-verification) | 14-21 days | 45-55 hours |
| Phase 01 — ATP-CTP | 6-7 days | 30 hours ground + 10 hours simulator |
| Phase 04 — FAA Practical Test | 1-2 days | 4-6 hours |
Entry Requirements
What must be in place before an ICAO-licensed pilot can begin FAA ATP conversion training.
Verification of Authenticity
- FAA Verification of Authenticity request submitted to your ICAO licensing authority via AFS-760
- Processing commonly takes 45-90 days and is controlled by the issuing authority
- Letter of Authenticity must be on file before the practical test
Source: FAA Form 8060-71 — Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License
Aeronautical Experience Requirements
- 1,500 hours total time; 500 hours cross-country; 100 hours night
- 75 hours instrument; 50 hours multi-engine; 250 hours pilot in command
- Per 14 CFR § 61.159 — logbook summarized in FAA categories for eligibility review
Valid ICAO Pilot License
- Current ICAO-compliant CPL or ATPL issued by an ICAO contracting state
- Privileges must be unrestricted and not suspended at time of application
- Multi-engine and instrument ratings current on the ICAO license
FAA Medical Certification
- First-class FAA medical certificate required for ATP privileges
- Issued by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner
- An ICAO medical does not substitute for the FAA medical
English Language Proficiency
- ICAO English Level 4 or higher, or FAA English proficiency demonstration
- All instruction, radio work, and testing is conducted in English
- Required for the oral portion of the practical test
Identification & TSA Clearance
- Valid passport and identity documentation for IACRA and FSDO processing
- TSA Alien Flight Student Program registration and fingerprinting where required
- Clearance must be granted before flight instruction begins
Related Programs
Other pathways ICAO-licensed pilots commonly pair with an FAA ATP conversion.
FAA License Conversion Hub
Compare every conversion pathway — EASA, DGCA, and ICAO to FAA ATP — in one place.
View PageEASA to FAA Conversion
The bridge pathway for pilots converting an EASA Part-FCL license to an FAA certificate.
View PageDGCA to FAA Conversion
The equivalent bridge pathway for pilots holding an Indian DGCA license.
View PageATP-CTP Certification
The dedicated page for the mandatory ATP-CTP course included in this conversion program.
View PageType Rating Programs
Pair your new FAA ATP with an A320, A330, ATR, B737, B737 Classic, or B757 type rating.
View PageInternational Student Resources
M-1 visa, TSA FTSP clearance, and FAA Form 8710-1 guidance for pilots training in the US.
View PageNot targeting an airline ATP certificate? See the EASA to FAA pathway or the DGCA to FAA pathway.
ICAO To FAA ATP FAQs
Pathway differences, ATP-CTP inclusion, verification timelines, and flight hour requirements.