Conversion of an ATPL license issued by a non-JAA State
If you hold an FAA or other ICAO foreign licenses and wish to work as a pilot within the European Union (EU) or other JAA member countries it is essential that you hold a JAA ATPL “Frozen”.
The Theory
The only one way to achieve this – you have to study the JAA-ATPL Theory and then sit for the fourteen written exams.
High time pilots and exceptions
The major exception to the fourteen exams is that all JAA countries stand free to validate any other ICAO license they wish. However your JAA ATPL is then considered a national license and is only valid for the country where it was validated.
The flying part of your conversion
Ones you have done (and passed) all the fourteen exams you are ready for the flight portion of the conversion. The requirements to convert are a minimum of 250 hours total time and a long cross country of at least 300 NM. As a FAA commercial pilot this should not post a problem at all.
Commercial conversion the regulations only state “training as required”. This means it’s up to your instructor to determine if you are ready for the JAA CPL check ride or not. A little tip here is that the CPL practical test standards for the JAA are relatively low compared to FAA and can almost be compared to that of the FAA private pilot level. Nevertheless expect to fly about 5 hours plus your check ride for the JAA CPL.
Instrument rating cannot be converted and consists of a minimum of fifteen hours of flight training.
"The holder of an ATPL(A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 who meets the 1500 hours flying experience requirements on multi-pilot aeroplanes as PIC or co-pilot may be exempted from the requirements to undergo approved training prior to undertaking the theoretical knowledge examinations and the skill test, if that license contains a valid multi-pilot type rating for the aeroplane to be used for the ATPL(A) skill test."
Requirements
- Hold an ATPL issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1
- Have sufficient knowledge of the English language
- Have sufficient knowledge of mathematics and physics
- JAA Class 1 medical certificate.
Course duration
Course duration is based on our modular theoretical knowledge JAA-ATPL Distance Learning Systems(ENTER) course, but may be reduced at the discretion of the Head of Training.
JAA theoretical knowledge examinations
The JAA allows you to have 6 sittings in which to pass all 14 subjects. Any one paper may only be attempted 4 times. If a paper is failed on the 4th attempt, all other exam papers are voided and you will have to start all 14 exams again. A Pass in an examination paper will be awarded to an applicant achieving at least 75% of the marks allocated to that paper. There is no penalty marking. 
*It is advisable to contact us for the latest information and updates. While great care and attention has been given to ensure the accuracy of text and other information, EPA will not be responsible for any unforeseen omissions and errors.
Department of Civil Aviation / Education Division- Lic No 189