FAA ATPL flight test

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:20 am

Yes, I've used the "search" function.

So I'm in the process of studying for my written exam, and in the not-too-distant future I need to do the FAA medical and the ATP flight test. (And to prevent the inevitable: I have a Canadian ATP, currently work for a Canadian company I plan to stay with for a while, and I don't have the right to work for a US company...)

2 questions.

1) Does anyone know of a doctor who does FAA medicals in the Ottawa/Montreal area? (Good ol' Takahashi is gone

) I'm on rotation in the US right now but don't have that much time to drive into the city to get the medical done.

2) Does anyone know if there is an FAA pilot examiner anywhere in Ontario/Quebec (I can provide the US registered aircraft), or is there only that one gentleman down on the West Coast?

ok I have 3 questions I guess...

3) Expecting the answer to #2 to be "no" - has anyone gone across the border to do the ATP flight test, and have any recommendations of where or where NOT to go? Bonus points for answers that are closer rather than farther away from Ontario/Quebec.

Thanks ya'll.

PPP · Post by **PPP** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:25 pm

faa medical examiners
DAVID J HILBORN MD 2430 BANK ST UNIT 3 OTTAWA ON, CANADA K1VOT7 phone 6132242244
ANNE M. M. THERIAULT MD 4134 OLD ORCHARD MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA H4A3B2 phone 5144845390

To do the initial FAA ATPL has to be done in an n registered airplane and must start and finish in the states or district such as Puerto Rico. I suggest using allATP, they give you 2 training flights plus the ride for one cost, but you need like 400 + bucks for the examiner.
Everything is under the hood.
Also you need to fill out this paper work before doing any flight test or training http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificate ... y61-75.pdf
Also
This link for your restricted radio certificate
http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/
Sign up and fill out the information for the restricted

Hope this helps

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:54 pm

The above advice is all good... you can also check on the FAA website as they have a list of medical examiners residing in Canada who do medicals. Note US medical required every 6 months, even if under 40. I converted my Canadian ATP, using ALL ATPS and had a good experience there. I opted for the ATP 10 hour instead of the 4 hour because of the heavier IFR traffic and unfamiliar airspace. It was still cheap. If you go that route, be sure to take your logbooks with you - the ones that verify you meet THEIR time requirements for the US ATP. I didn't have mine with me and it took a phone call to his supervisor and some serious pleading for the examiner to accept the times were all accounted for in my Canadian ATP. Save yourself the hassle.

ATP does everything right from flight prep to ground prep so be sure to attend and pay attention. Most of the ground questions I was asked were verbatim from the ATP ground prep.

Also, have you done the written? Sylvain Learning Centre used to give the test in Canada, but were no longer doing it as of several years ago. I don't believe anyone is doing the FAA ATP in Canada which means a trip across the border. If you haven't studied yet, its worth your while to purchase both the ASA and GLEIM for prep work. Piece of cake then. You get to choose if you want the Part 135 or the Part 121 exam (basically turboprop vs. jet questions). Take a copy of the written to the ride - its required.

Good luck,
Snoopy

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:53 pm

Thanks for all the info, & keep it coming.

I didn't even think about a Radio Operator's Certificate...

I'll look into that some more.

Snoopy - I'm currently in the US for a couple of weeks for work so I plan on writing the exam down here (my ASA study guide should arrive tomorrow.) The medical's a little trickier to fit into my work "schedule" so I'd like to do it near my home base.

So as far as I understand it:

-FAA medical (Class 1 only I assume?)
-Radio Operator's Certificate...
-Written Exam (either 121 or 135)
-Fill out proper application form with flight times, etc
-Bring logbook to Flight Test
-Oral/Flight Test

Thanks!

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:27 pm

Hi Chipmunk,

I don't recall the radio license - and I don't have one in my license portfolio either. Not sure if that is a new requirement or an old requirement. I've had my US medical done by Dr. Appleford in YYZ before if that helps - he is still on the list:

http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov/search.asp?search=country

then type in the appropriate country

alternatively, if you're in the US for a couple of weeks, you can search by county/state or by city:

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

The ASA book was good, but if you really want to be prepared, you may want to consider the GLEIM too. Their test is all memory items - the US have a fixed test bank of questions and all the questions are public knowledge so your best bet is to work your way through both books a couple of times and the questions will start to look familiar. I think I did the test in about 20 minutes, I couldn't believe it (that being said, don't forget to RTFQ!)

Also recommend you go here:
http://www.faa.gov/education_research/t ... rds/pilot/
and download the PTS for ATP. It also tells you the pre-requisites you need to know about.

And here:
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/regs/
and click on "Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors (14 CFR Part 61)"

Which will tell you everything else you need to know to get your license.

Good luck, I found the whole thing to be a lot of fun in the end.

Cheers,
Snoopy

.80@410 · Post by **.80@410** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:35 pm

Just got baCK YESTERDAY yesterday NEW faa atp. !

Here is what I have learned...

Dr Birenbaum used to do medicals out of Buttonville, don't know if his replacement now does.

FIRST

A downloaded form, " Authentication of foreign license validation" sent in to Oklahoma FAA office must be received back from the FAA after they have confirmed ALL of your canadian licenses. Free. Expect it to take 4-6 weeks from initial fax. No flight training without it.

Pass exams, supposedly 121 first, requiring only a 50 question ( shorter ) add on later for the 135 exam, vs 135 followed by full 120 question 121 exam if done this way.

Show up at US city and proceed to local FSDO office( with all licenses and verification letter ), where they will issue you 120 day private pilot qualifications airman certificate which you need for your ATP ride.

Train to ATP standards. I used Pelican in Hollywood florida.
Book ride. Government examiners are free, but less lenient. $350-400 for a designated non- government examiner. Bring letter of verification, cash, all licenses, Class 1,2,3 US medical, Original exam results, radio license,
and all logbooks. Oral on the IFR machine you are flying, ride. Steep turns, clean and dirty stalls, complete engine failure, secure, restart. 3-4 approaches, none with a s/e missed. Hold. All done with hood/ foggles entire time. NO autopilot required for single pilot IFR flight and it was a bitch ! ( Didn't have one )

Pass, congrats, all done. I took 4 hours in a seminole, 5 hours of instructor time, expect to spend $1800 including examiner fees.
Types on the US license do not expire after 2 years like our Canadian license types.

Good luck.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:54 am

GOLDEN!
Thanks, and congrats on the new ATP.

.80@410 wrote: Bring letter of verification, cash, all licenses, Class 1,2,3 US medical, Original exam results, radio license,
and all logbooks.

Just to clarify: Class 1, 2, OR 3 medical?

and...

Canadian Radio License, or US?

Once again, thanks. You folks helped more than the guys down at the FSDO I called!

Cheers

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:39 am

I did it about 10 years ago at All-ATP's in Florida.

It took three days, $1295, and very little else

You do not need a US License of any kind first. A foreign Commercial is acceptable.

They still run the same program, but the price has gone up... as have the TSA checks.....

http://www.atpflightschool.com/programs ... itten.html

Regarding the medical validity.... it's not exactly 6 months... it depends what you are doing. If you are doing a job that requires a First Class, then it's only 6, but alot of jobs don't 'require' a first.

---First-Class Medical Certificate: A first-class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus
6 calendar months for activities requiring a first-class medical certificate, or plus
12 calendar months for activities requiring a second-class medical certificate, or plus
24 calendar months for activities requiring a third-class medical certificate, or plus
36 calendar months for activities requiring a third-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached his or her 40th birthday on or before the date of examination.*

You could do it on your own, but it might just be easier to let one of these schools that do a million of these sort it out for you.

Good Luck.

PPP · Post by **PPP** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:45 pm

This is now manditory as of July 1 2006. You can be fined for not having one and from what i hear it is not cheap. it takes 10 minutes on line.

To complete a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit you will need>> > FCC Form 605 (Main Form) and the FCC 605 Schedule E (Additional Data for>> > the Commercial Radio, Restricted Radiotelephone, and Restricted>> > Radiotelephone-Limited Use Radio Services). FCC form 160 will be >required>> > if you do not have an FCC Registration Number (FRN) for a manual filing.>> > The 159 (fee remittance) is needed for payment. These forms can be>> > obtained via web site: http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. >>> > To file online please follow the step by step instructions when applying>> > for a New Restricted Radiotelephone Operator License>> > 1) Go to web site http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls. Click on Register, if you>> > do not have an FCC Registration Number (FRN). Continue through the steps>> > until you receive a FRN then proceed to ULS online filing.>> > 2) If already registered Click Log In, under the Online Filing heading.>> > 3) Enter your FRN and password. If you do not have your password or>> > have forgotten it and have set a Personal Security Question (PSQ) go to>> > web site https://esupport.fcc.gov/password.htm and select Reset >Password,>> > enter your FRN and answer the PSQ allowing you to reset your password. >If>> > you have not set the PSQ go to web site >http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm>> > and submit a reset password form or call (877) 480-3201 for assistance.>> > 4) On the My Licenses screen, click on the link Apply for a New License.>> > On the Select Service screen, choose "RR - Restricted Operator">> > 5) Answer the questions on the following screens; navigate through each>> > screen by clicking on the Continue button.>> > 6) On the Certification screen, "sign" the application.>> > 7) Click the Submit Button. You will receive a confirmation screen>> > giving you the file number for the application submitted and the fee>> > payment options will also be available. You can make the fee payment>> > online or print out the 159 and submit it with payment (check, money>> > order, credit card) to: Federal Communications Commission, Wireless >Bureau>> > Applications, P. O. Box 358994, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5994. (The FRN will>> > be needed to access the 159 form for the electronic filing). This fee>> > must be received within 10 calendar days of the filing.>> >

.80@410 · Post by **.80@410** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:37 pm

JigglyBus wrote:
You do not need a US License of any kind first. A foreign Commercial is acceptable.
Good Luck.

Um, sure...ignore this quote.

You DO need a US airman private pilot certificate ..trust me..i was JUST there last week

which is valid for 120 days and is given by the FSDO based on your foreign license validation letter and foreign licenses.

You must obtain a US medical...make it a class 1...but it must only have class 3 privileges ie valid within 3 years? of issue date...the class 3 allows the private airman privileges which again you need for the ride

good luck.

ps, CDN radio license...although they barely if at all looked.

snoopy · Post by **snoopy** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:46 pm

Um no. You don't need a US Private, you can convert direct ATP to ATP. Guess that's why its best to check out the FARS. When in doubt check the FARS or the CARS or ....
Cheers,
Snoopy

.80@410 · Post by **.80@410** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:33 pm

Grrrrrr..

I didn't say you needed a US private.

I said you needed a temporary airman certificate, with private privileges.

guys...instead of spouting info based on " what I read on page ....or...in manual ..." and potentially costing this guy money when he gets to the US with your wrong information how about leaving it to those of us who have actually gone through the hoops?

I would rather he get's there overprepped than under.....

JigglyBus · Post by **JigglyBus** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:12 pm

Well, say what you will, however, I personally aquired a US ATPL from ALL-ATPS, and was never issued a certificate of any kind.

I suppose that they might have 'issued' me one and never given it to me, but I don't see the point.

I showed up with absolutely no preparation, $1295, and a foreign commercial, and left three days later with ATP in hand.

Why not just call them and find out for yourself. 1-800-ALL-ATPS.

Good Luck.

chipmunk · Post by **chipmunk** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 4:41 am

Thanks all; I've got some good questions for the FAA folks next week...

I've had different FSDOs tell me different things in the past, so I'm not too surprised at the varied info... although the FARs don't state that a Temporary Airman Certificate is necessary, I agree.

Jigglybus - you did this 10 years ago? I know some things have changed since 9/11 and maybe that's one of them... now there's that Foreign License Validation form that needs to be done well in advance, and maybe that Temp Certificate is the result of that???

Who knows. We'll see how it goes...

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:43 am

Shot In The Dark: I suspect the requirement for the temporary FAA pilot certificate, is because of the checkride.

On the checkride, who is PIC? Sure isn't the examiner. Gotta be you. And you can't be PIC on an N-registered aircraft in the USA without some kind of FAA pilot certificate, and the easiest to get is a private based on your foreign licence.

Like all other rules and regulations, they are applied and interpreted very differently by different people in different places.

McPhoo · Post by **McPhoo** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:13 pm

I might have to ditto Hedley's second point here. Just like in Canada, the rules can be and are interpreted differently by different FSDO's. I'd decide where I was gonna get it done and then call the local office and get the straight goods. Surprises should be left for special occasions like xmas.