Converting Foreign Military Aviation Experience to FAA and TCCA ICAO Licenses

Transitioning from a military aviation career to a civilian one involves a crucial step: converting your military flight experience and certifications into a civilian pilot license. For foreign military pilots, this process can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be streamlined, especially when aiming to acquire FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) or TCCA (Transport Canada Civil Aviation) ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) licenses. This article outlines the best strategies for converting foreign military aviation experience into FAA or TCCA licenses, including Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

The Simplest Path: Acquiring an ICAO License in Your Home Country

For most military pilots, the easiest and most efficient way to transition into civilian aviation is by obtaining an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) CPL or ATPL from the country where they served. Many countries have established special streamlined military-to-civilian conversion programs designed to leverage the extensive flight time and training military pilots have already completed.

Military-to-Civilian Conversion Programs

Military aviation authorities in various countries understand the need for smooth transitions for their pilots. These programs typically allow military pilots to convert their military flight time into civilian equivalents quickly. The process often involves a minimal number of theoretical exams and practical assessments, making it a straightforward pathway to acquiring a civilian license. Each country is different, but in the U.S. for example, FAA allows U.S. military pilots who served either in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines, to acquire a restricted FAA ATPL with SIC privileges in the airlines after logging only 750 hours of flight time.

Once you have acquired an ICAO CPL or ATPL from your home country, the process of converting this license to an FAA or TCCA license becomes significantly easier.

Converting ICAO CPL/ATPL to FAA or TCCA Licenses

If you hold an ICAO CPL or ATPL from your home country and have logged at least 1500 hours in the military, and your flight time corresponds to the minimum flight regime requirements as per FAR 61.159 (1,500 hours of total flight time, 500 hours of cross-country, 250 hours as Pilot-In-Command (PIC) 100 hours of night, 75 hours of instrument), converting it to an FAA or TCCA ATPL is relatively simple and can be completed in a matter of two or three weeks.

Steps to Convert ICAO CPL/ATPL to FAA ATPL

All the conversion steps are outlined on the main Aerocadet website here >>>

1. ICAO License validation via IACRA (its free – register here)
2. FAA Class 1 medical exam (see a list of AMEs in the US and abroad)
3. FAA ATPL Exam: After completing the simulator training, you will need to pass the FAA ATPL written exam.
4. Simulator Training: You will need to complete an FAA ATP CPT course in an FTP and a full type-rating course in a class D sim, on a commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737NG. This training typically lasts about three weeks.
5. Practical Exam: Finally, you must pass a practical test (check-ride) in the simulator. Once these steps are completed, you will receive an FAA ATPL with an unrestricted type-rating for the aircraft you trained on.
6. License issuance by a DPE. (issued immediately after the check ride).

The conversion steps to the TCCA ATPL are similar, but involve three theoretical exams: SARON (Air Law, Regulations, and Operations Knowledge), SAMRA (Meteorology and Radio Aids), and INRAT (Instrument Rating Exam) and one ATPL check ride. The minimum flight time requirements for the TCCA ATPL are the same as the FAA ATPL. (The list of TCCA AMEs, Canadian and abroad locations, is available here >>>)

Finally, there is also an easy way to add not just one, but two North-American ATPLs (FAA and TCCA) to your resume by converting your ICAO ATPL first to standalone FAA ATPL using our conversion program, and then by taking just one TCCA ATPL Air Law exam of just 25 questions, with no requirement for any practical exam. The detailed outline for this conversion pathway is published in Aerocadet article here >>> (also see the FAA ATPL to TCCA ATPL conversion exemption CAR 421.34 for details)

Direct Conversion from Military Experience to FAA or TCCA Licenses

For military pilots who have not obtained an ICAO CPL or ATPL from their home country, the direct conversion process to FAA or TCCA licenses is much more involved and requires a comprehensive evaluation of your military flight experience.

FAA/TCCA Conversion Process

1. Flight Time Evaluation: The FAA/TCCA examiner will assess your military flight time in accordance with its training curriculum. This evaluation will determine how much of your military experience can be credited toward the FAA/TCCA CPL and ATPL. You can fill out the license conversion assessment form here >>>
2. Theoretical and Practical Exams: You will need to pass all applicable exams, including those for the CPL, instrument rating, multi-engine rating, and finally the ATPL. Each of these exams will require dedicated study and preparation.
3. Training: Depending on the assessment, you may need to undergo extensive training in various aircraft, such as the Cessna 172 for the CPL and the Piper Seminole for the multi-engine rating.
   • Cost: Significantly higher due to the need for extensive training
   • Duration: Approximately 3 months in the US for the FAA license and 4-5 months in Canada for TCCA license.

So, What’s the Best Way Forward?

For foreign military pilots, the most efficient way to transition into civilian aviation within the FAA or TCCA frameworks is to first acquire an ICAO CPL or ATPL in your home country. This route simplifies the conversion process, reduces costs, and minimizes the time required to obtain an FAA or TCCA ATPL. Direct conversion from military experience to an FAA or TCCA license is possible but involves a more complex, time-consuming, and costly process. By choosing the right path, you can smoothly transition from military service to a successful civilian aviation career.

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Questions? Comments? Send us an email to info@aerocadet.com or schedule a free consultation call with one of our airline pilot consultants here >>>

About the Author:

Russ Sherwood is a Captain and a LCP (line check pilot) at a major US airline flying the A320/321 fleet, with the military flying background on the F-16th as WSO. He has logged around 10,000 hours of flight hours and holds airline, commercial and flight instructor pilot licenses issued by the FAA (US), CAAC (China) and DGCA (Indonesia).  Russ is also an aviation career development mentor for Aerocadet