How to Convert a Foreign Pilot License to an FAA License

Welcome aboard!
In this video, I describe how to convert your foreign ATPL to an FAA license. It's a very comprehensive video and you will find all of your answers about FAA license conversion. If you have an ICAO ATPL and you want to convert your license to an FAA equivalent, you better watch this video!
Links:
PANAM Flight Training - panamacademy.com/
IACRA - iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx
Sheppard Air - Question Memorize - www.sheppardair.com/
FAA ATM Exam Booking- faa.psiexams.com/faa/login
Flight Training International (Type Rating) - ftiratings.com/
I would appreciate if you like and share this video as well as subscribe my channel.
☕️ Support me and my team at www.buymeacoffee.com/cacarbay
Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction
01:42 - Get a Visa
02:31 - Find a Flight Training School
06:00 - Foreign License Verification
10:23 - Obtain TSA Clearance
12:15 - Memorize Questions
16:52 - Join ATP-CTP Course
21:34 - Pass ATM Exam
26:36 - (Optional) - Get Class I Medical
27:14 - Type Rating
35:28 - Costs
38:29 - Recap
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*****
The views and opinions expressed in this video are solely mine and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or positions of any company or organization mentioned. I share personal experiences, thoughts, and perspectives, and these should be understood as subjective interpretations. It is important to note that my experiences may vary, and you are encouraged to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. I am not a spokesperson for any company and do not speak on behalf of any employer, past or present.

[@DavidSmith-yi8ou]

Excellent breakdown mate! Thanks for posting!!

[@dennisvega6311]

And as always, you deserve the best ratings for sure 5 plus stars ⭐️ Thanks Caner for the time and effort you take to inform many of us Aviation lovers, look forward to more videos! Happy Landings 🛬 Thanks again 🙏🙏😎

[@CanerAcarbay]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the great comment!

[@turarismailov449]

Very comprehensive video with good explanation. Keep it up mate!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you

[@flighttraininginternationa6263]

Great video Caner! It was great having you here as a student! Both your instructor and check airman had great things to say about your training. Keep up the good work and keep putting out good content!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey FTI, Thanks for the great comment!

[@m.muratsen2063]

Süper video olmuş dostum ✈️

[@jukkix]

What a great explanation! I have EASA atpl(a) was looking information, this will help me get started! All the best and thank you for doing this video!!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Glad it was helpful! Best luck!

[@safferms]

Excellent summary! Love the kitty 🐈‍⬛ too!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks :)

[@Furkan-ym6zo]

Caner abi cok seviyorum videolarini. Bizleri lütfen bu videolarindan mahrum birakma :) Güncel attigin ucus öncesi hazirlik videosu da silinmis nedense abi. O da cok güzeldi.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Elimden geldiği kadar çekeceğim kardeşim. Çok teşekkür ederim ☺️

[@keithdmello]

Excellent! I like the way you explained the details. Keep it up.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks a lot!

[@serhanbatin]

Caner abi üniversite sınavına hazırlanan bir genç ve pilotaj isteyen bir genç olarak videoların beni motive ediyor bundan dolayı teşekkür ediyorum

[@CanerAcarbay]

Çok teşekkür ederim kardeşim ☺️

[@traulee2123]

Nice videos with alot of enriching information. You deserve more subscribers

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks :) I'm doing my best to produce informative videos!

[@rgfan12345]

I love your cat, so cute! please tell us and show your cat more often!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Will do! Thanks 😊

[@carlo5377]

Very very helpful! Thank you!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Dharmendrasingh-gl2lp]

Very informative thanks 👍

[@CanerAcarbay]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ravindupatunage5119]

Your video are really amazing and it keeps me motivating and makes my passion on aviation really boost up after watching your videos ❤I just wanted to request you to do a video on pilot interview process and selections. How they are done in emirates and Turkish airlines. How can we prepare before pilot interview. Your experiences. How did you prepare and some questions and answer that you gave.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks for the nice long comment. I’ll record these videos asap 😀

[@cihangulmez2375]

Great video and content 😊

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thank you! 😁

[@liamcelik4212]

I really like your videos and especially this one helped me a lot to get an idea of the process. We are thinking to move to US with our family but not quite sure yet. First we gonna try to get an Visa. If it's possible I would love to get in touch with you to exchange more information. I was flying as well for Turkish but now back in Germany. Video icin cok tesekkürler, emeğinize sağlık

[@joelhendriks5038]

Thanks for the great Video! Looking forward to the next vid! Anything planed yet? greetings from Austria

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks Joel. Everything is moving based on a plan:)

[@harismahmoodqureshi]

Very informative video. Really nice to see ur video. Can u please make a video covering procedure, cost n other details of ICAO ATPL to EASA ATPL conversion.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hello, this topic is on my bucket list. However, I need to make an extensive research before I publish this video. Therefore, It might take some time before I record and publish.

[@yektaolgun4368]

A very detailed and informative video. Thanks for your time. I love watching your videos. There was a similar question in the comments above but I couldn't quite understand the answer. Is it possible to convert the frozen license to the FAA license before completing 1500 hours? I have a work permit, but I haven't convert my Turkish license to FAA yet.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey, Thanks for the message. You need to have an ATPl to convert. Theoretically, you can have an ATPL in Turkey (or in Europe) without 1500 flying hours as long as you can credit some simulator hours (I believe max 100 hours). You can contact the flight training organizations in the US for better answer.

[@user-vu1fk1pw2y]

Great inform. I wonder atp-ctp education period 7days include weekend? Most education start Monday. Is it until sunday or next week tuesday(except saturday and sunday)?

[@737gear3]

Hi Carner, you video is amazing just what we needed, I plan to do the same from an EASA ATPL. Just one question, how did you learn the FAA operational regulation for the oral part of the ATP checkride? I know there are quite a few difference btw EASA and FAA regulations. THX!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey, the flight school provide the prep sheet for the students. Most of the questions are coming from the cheat sheet. All in all, it is not bid deal. You learn the differences in a month :)

[@bennithomas8414]

Could you please let me know the easiest way to pass FAA CPL and ATPL also?

[@HoneyBadger5823]

Mr.Acarbay can you make a video about convertion from MPL to ATPL license and compatibility with Turkey / Europe regulations? Thank you for your efforts!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hello, unfortunately I don’t have any knowledge about MPL to ATPL conversion. I wish I could help you.

[@thomasengelbredt1561]

Hi Caner. Great video. Do you know if the order of taking the ATM exam and joining the ATP CPT course matters? Does it have to be ATP CPT course first and then ATM exam or can I do it the other way around? BR, Thomas

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey Thomas, you need to have ATP/CTP course to attend ATM exam. Otherwise, you cannot take the exam.

[@achmadsyaugi]

Just wanted to ask, How did you obtain the green card? was it employer sponsored? because I heard the states got a huge pilot shortage problem. Anyway, congrats on your career progression! huge fan of your videos.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hello, I got it through DV Lottery. Airlines don't sponsor foreign pilots. Thank you very much for the good comments :) Help us to grow the channel by sharing my videos :)

[@N1ka]

@@CanerAcarbay dvlottery wow, it’s my dream to win that one day

[@eagle1107flyer]

@@CanerAcarbay Lucky you! How many years have you been participating in the lottery?

[@traulee2123]

Nice video

[@PapuaLionstudios]

Hey Brother. This video is amazing! I am going to convert my CPL foreign license to FAA CPL CPL Conversion will be the same as ATPL conversion or it has different steps? I need your idea bro. Thank you!

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hello, Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer. You can directly contact the flight training organizations in the US.

[@ChapatiMan]

Is that an emirates 747 in the back? Since when have they had 747s?

[@acmarquez289]

Great video! Very helpful. Just want to ask which hotel you stayed? Thanks brother

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey I don’t remember tbh. It has been a while… If I remember, I’ll let you know.

[@acmarquez289]

No problem. Still your video really gave me the confidence to apply in the US. Do you still recommend to get a type rating if the major airlines will still let you undergo on their own type rating?..

[@Salih998]

Amazing video appreciate it Can you also make how to turn jaa into easa license ?

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey, thank you very much. It’s a little bit more complex procedure than FAA conversion. When I have time, I can record a video about it.

[@Salih998]

@@CanerAcarbay thank you very much we will be waiting for the video

[@danglinh3001]

Thanks for your info. I have a question, I have FAA CPL only and ATPL license of my country- India. Emirate accepts ATPL and medical certificate of same country, which is enough or I need to transfer ATPL FAA? Good job and keep going bro🎉

[@CanerAcarbay]

As long as you have an Indian ATPL and Indian Issued Class I medical you are good to apply

[@invisible6459]

Very Informative Video! I recently done my graduation in software engineering and it’s my dream to become a Pilot could you please guide me what I gonna do to become a pilot and want to do job in emirates like you if you reply me I really appreciate this😊

[@CanerAcarbay]

Well it depends thousands of factors. Where are you from? How old are you? Can you afford your own pilot training? How much time do you have to pursue your training? Etc. If you give me details I can help you more

[@ahmetb3070]

Hocam selamlar, öncelikle hayırlı olsun ve başarılarınızın devamını dilerim. Bu lisans dönüşüm işlemleri için JAA ATPL veya EASA ATPL den çevirmemizin bir farkı oluyor mu? Sizde ikisi de olunca sormak istedim. Emniyetli uçuşlar.

[@CanerAcarbay]

Merhabalar, prosedurel acidan bir fark bulunmamaktadir. Ikisi de ayni sekilde FAA lisansina cevriliyor.

[@andylose]

Hi Caner, thanks for your high quality videos on YT and l have learned a lot from your videos!! I am a Chinese pilot, now I am going to convert my license, is Canadian ATPL ok? if I wanna apply for Emirates. Because it’s much cheaper than getting a FAA ATPL for me. By the way, have you ever seen any Chinese pilots work for Emirates before?

[@CanerAcarbay]

I met a Chinese pilot in the Emirates, and He told me that there are 2 Chinese pilots in EK. I was shocked that there were only two Chinese pilots in EK. Can't you apply EK with a Chinese ATPL?

[@andylose]

@@CanerAcarbay we can't apply job use Chinese license, because unable to get verification letter from CAAC once got the job offer, so every Chinese pilot wanna fly in another country need to got foreign license firstly.....

[@hardline61]

Hocam merhaba, video için teşekkür ederim, amerika da geçireceğimiz toplam süre için biraz daha bilgi verebilir misiniz? minimum veya maximum kaç güne ihtiyaç olur tüm işlemleri bitirip dönmek için?

[@CanerAcarbay]

Selam çok sıkıştırırsanız 8-9 günde biter, aynı uçuş okulunda herşeyi tamamlarsanız 10 gün içinde bitirebilirsiniz. Ben kişisel olarak en az 12-13 gün öneriyorum. Bu sayede beklenmedik durumlar oluşursa işlerinizi yine de halledebilirsiniz.

[@nerwozytb7504]

Hey capt Caner, I was thinking about coming to the us for my flight training for the first time. Nonetheless, I want to know if a after graduation a foreigner can work for an American company. Thanks

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hello, you need to have a greencard/citizenship/working visa to be able to work in the US. Having a flight training in the US does not allow you to work there.

[@malikabrarhussain5781]

Excellent video. Greetings from Pakistan ❤

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thanks 🙏

[@matews6]

Hey Caner very informative videos. So I understand you can be a green card holder and still being able to fly for Emirates? Thks

[@CanerAcarbay]

Thank you. Yeah why not, I could easily maintain my status of green card. Emirates has nothing to do with it

[@hudsonsantiago2875]

Do you know if your license is expired will be an issue or not? If you have you commercial and ifr license foreign based you can start your processe? Thanks!!!

[@CanerAcarbay]

You better ask these questions to the flight training organizations. Panam and FTI are good schools to start with.

[@ChapatiMan]

Do you need to pass any flight tests so you can fly with instruments etc?

[@CanerAcarbay]

You need to pass skill test to obtain your license

[@gulsahbozer4420]

First of all thanks for nice video. Im planning to go to miami this summer to convert license but only i want to ask you Radio Telephony License! how did u get it?

[@mertgumus4927]

It is through an FCC FORM 605. It is very easy to get it through an online application. No test, no training. 70$ one-time payment. You can get it after you receive your ATP license. So there is nothing to worry about.

[@gulsahbozer4420]

@@mertgumus4927 thx a lot Mert 😇

[@monicamungun5606]

i was just wondering if am i able to go to aviation school in european country and work as a pilot in the US? or do i have to go to aviation school here in the U.S to be able to work here

[@CanerAcarbay]

Ibn order to work in the US, you need to have legal residency. If you don't have it, you can't work in the US even you take your flight training here

[@Bobdeejay93390]

Caner bey merhaba, videonuz icin tesekkurler, baya bilgi edindim, kucuk bir sorum olacaktı , belki cevabı vardır sizde inshallah, benim henüz 1500 saatim yok ve sanırım 1500 saat gerektir. Acaba benim tr atpl lisansımı faa cpl e cevirebirmiyim?hic bir bilginiz varmı? Simdiden Allah razı olsun, iyi ucuslar

[@CanerAcarbay]

Selam buna hic gerek yok. 1500 saatin dolmasini bekleyin cunku FAA CPL size hicbir avantaj saglamayacaktir.

[@Bobdeejay93390]

@@CanerAcarbay cok tesekkur ederim, su an ben zaten ozel jette ucuyorum, ondan saatimin dolmasını bekleye kadar cpl alarak hem amerikada ucabilirim ve saat doldururum dusunmustum, tekrardan cok tesekkurler, saygılar

[@KennyW-ys6sk]

HI, The verification process will require a face to face meeting with a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) what does this mean? Does it mean i can not do this online?

[@CanerAcarbay]

You don't need to go FSDO. It's online and you get verification letter not from FAA but from your origin country's civil aviation authority.

[@ghayth13]

Captain; any idea how to convert FAA into Turkish license? The other way around I’d appreciate your input Btw did you try the Cuban food truck outside of Panam? Food was yummy 😄😋

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey, why do you need that? If you apply for a Turkish Company, they can help you throughout the process. Otherwise, Unfortunately, I don't know the answer

[@ghayth13]

@@CanerAcarbay I got to know that if I wanna apply for an airline in Turkey I need either and Easa either a JAA licence.

[@tysonlittlefield3200]

Just so I understand correctly. These steps are to become a *Commercial* airline pilot in the United States?? Or just a private pilot?

[@CanerAcarbay]

These steps are for international commercial pilots who want to obtain their FAA license based on their foreign commercial license

[@mohdfaizalmohdfauzi4589]

Hello sir..got one question to ask..i noticed on faa verification form the requirement to have atleast one pic type rating on FOREIGN CPL. I got only one rating on BD700 on my ICAO Lisence which is P2 with instrument rating and got required hours. Am i eligible for FAA ATP conversion.

[@CanerAcarbay]

You need to have flying hours on this type. I believe min 500. Otherwise your training requirements will be different than other pilots. You better check your situation with flight schools.

[@halilkesrakrln1046]

İcao cpl'im var ve dah line a giremedim. Bahsettiğiniz dönüşümü faa ye yaparsam, ABD'de fi lik eğitimi almam ve ardından orada fi lik yapmam mümkün müdür kaptanım? (Çalışma iznim vs yok ABD'de.)

[@CanerAcarbay]

Selamlar, bu konu hakkinda bilgim yok. Amerika'daki ucus okullari ile iletisime gecmenizi oneririm.

[@iBlackHawk]

Is it required to have a valid medical license before applying?

[@CanerAcarbay]

Yes, everything must be current.

[@naichewang4661]

Does the FAA ATPL license has any limitations?

[@CanerAcarbay]

What do you mean? Can you open your question a little bit? There are restrictions but these are same for each faa license holder.

[@user-ts9xe2xd3p]

Most students convert their PPL certificate to FAA, attach a B737 rating, and then return to their home country and add B737 to their ICAO CPL certificate. However, the curious thing is that there is no MEL in my PPL certificate. Can I add B737 to my FAA PPL certificate?

[@CanerAcarbay]

I think you are confusing the terms. Why do you need to add a type rating to PPL? Assuming that you will fly commercially, you need to have a higher license than PPL.

[@zjs2517]

How to change a Chinese license to a Canadian license.thank s

[@CanerAcarbay]

Hey, Unfortunately I don’t know the answer. You should contact the flight schools in Canada

[@aayushrajbanshi-dv1dv]

Which visa is required to work in emirates for nepalese?

[@CanerAcarbay]

Company sponsor you if they decide to hire you. Therefore visa type and nationality is not important

[@aayushrajbanshi-dv1dv]

@@CanerAcarbay is citizenship requires for apply???

[@cnlei001]

why do you need FAA ATP since you fly for Emirates?

[@CanerAcarbay]

I no longer fly for Emirates. I resigned in Feb 2023.

[@cnlei001]

@@CanerAcarbay OK! I was considering to apply for pilot positon of Emirates since they are recuriting pilot on their website.Any specific reasons for you to leave?if you like to share.🙂

[@thelegendgamer5520]

How did you get green card

[@CanerAcarbay]

From DV Lottery

[@777DEHME]

27:23 it wants to fly Jets

[@CanerAcarbay]

Yeah she is copilot 😀

[@SirajKhan-vx1hr]

The cat seeing ghost coze ghost at houses stay sround of up walls !

[@CanerAcarbay]

Or a fly :)

[@cimbombommum]

Abi keske turkce altyazi koysann

[@CanerAcarbay]

Selamlar, video çok uzun altyazı işlemi çok uzun sürüyor. Daha fazla içerik üretip yayına alabilmek adına maalesef uzun videolara altyazı yapamıyorum. İnşallah videolara yardımcı olabilecek bir gönüllü arkadaş bulabilirsem her videoya güzel altyazılar hazırlayabiliriz. Ancak şu anda mevcut durumda altyazıları hazırlamak çok ama çok vakit alıyor:(

[@cimbombommum]

@@CanerAcarbay saglik olsun abi yine de mukemmelsinnn

[@cimbombommum]

@@CanerAcarbay bir gun senin gibi olmak icin ders calisiyorumm umarim olurummm

[@KAPO...]

Mesajla TSA parmak izi soru sormuştum ama yorumum silinmiş. Negatif bişeyde yoktu üstelik 🤔

[@CanerAcarbay]

Selamlar, ben herhangi bir mesaj silmedim :) Sorunu bir daha gonderir misin?

[@pilotactor777]

Is it true alot of the answers for the exams have been changed....up to 25 percent?

[@CanerAcarbay]

Unfortunately, I don't the answer. When I took the exam almost a year and half ago, They were the same!

[@karenziaei1728]

🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡 thanks