Conversion Program

All CPLs are required to have a Class 1 Medical issued by the country where they wish to be employed. So, if you do your training in the U.S.for example but plan to fly in France, you will need to get a Class 1 Medical issued in France. You must have a valid EASA Medical.

Even though you’ve passed all the required exams to earn your CPL in the U.S. to FAA and ICAO standards, EASA requires you to follow an approved course of study for the 14 EASA theoretical Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) exams before you can do any practical training. You can do this on site in full-time classes or by distance learning using a computer. You will be glad to know that the material they cover in the theoretical exams is very similar to what you have already learned. You can work on your theoretical exams with Brics Aviation, although you will complete your EASA when you return home.

In order for you to be eligible for the EASA Conversion Program you need to have a valid ICAO CPL and the following:

– 150 hours total time
– 80 hours of dual instruction
– 70 hours PIC if you did your training as a part of an integrated program or 100 hours PIC if you did your training as a part of a modular program
– 50 hours of cross-country flight as PIC
– Night Rating
– Valid ICAO ME/IR ratings
– 55 hours IFR ME or 40 hours FNPT II and 15 hours IFR ME
– CPL Conversion

Converting your CPL will vary slightly depending on the country, but it should average approximately 15 flight hours of standard maneuvers. Your skills test must be taken with a CAA examiner in a complex piston aircraft. This lasts approximately 2 hours. Note that navigation and communications may pose a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the area. If you speak English as a second language, you will likely be required to have your English skills assessed to make sure you meet the ICAO LPE (language proficiency endorsement)minimum standard of Level 4 (on a scale of 1 to 6).

Most pilots obtain their Multi-Engine in a multi-engine piston aircraft. If you do not have 100 hours experience in an MEP aircraft, the CAA may deny your current class rating and require you to complete a conversion in this class rating by taking a course that includes approximately 7 or 8 flight hours. This course will include a skills test and written exam. The written exam is overseen by the Approved Training Organization (ATO) where you are taking your course.

This is the final step to complete the last area of your EASA conversion. You are required by law to complete a 15-hour course, 10 of which can be done in an approved flight simulator (based on ATO). The other 5 hours will be done in a multi-engine aircraft. Once you are ready, you’ll take your last test. The CAA examiner will oversee this, and it will include 1 to 2 hours of flight time.