Pilot License Conversion Guides

Cross-authority conversion paths for 32 pilot license combinations.

PPL → CPL

FAA → FAA

6 – 14 months full-timeModerate

CPL → ATP

FAA → FAA

1 – 3 years (depends on how quickly hours are accumulated)Hard

Foreign PPL (ICAO contracting state) → FAA PPL

ICAO → FAA

3 – 6 months (verification is the bottleneck)Moderate

EASA CPL → FAA CPL

EASA → FAA

3 – 6 monthsModerate

FAA PPL → EASA PPL

FAA → EASA

4 – 9 monthsModerate

EASA ATPL → ICAO ATPL (e.g. Gulf carrier)

EASA → ICAO

1 – 4 months (depending on authority)Easy

FAA Part 107 (initial) → Part 107 Recurrent

FAA → FAA

1-2 hours every 24 calendar monthsEasy

FAA CPL → FAA CFI (Initial)

FAA → FAA

2 – 4 monthsHard

CASA Australia ATPL → FAA ATP

CASA → FAA

4 – 8 monthsHard

ANAC Brazil CPL → FAA CPL

ANAC → FAA

3 – 6 monthsModerate

UK CAA ATPL → FAA ATP

UK CAA → FAA

4 – 7 monthsHard

UK CAA PPL → EASA PPL

UK CAA → EASA

2 – 5 monthsEasy

FAA PPL Airplane → FAA PPL Helicopter Add-On

FAA → FAA

3 – 5 monthsHard

Part 107 (VLOS) → Part 107 BVLOS Waiver

FAA → FAA

3 – 12 months waiver reviewHard