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Training · FAA · Partner centre in Spain

Type Rating FAAConvert your licence. Qualify to the US standard.

FAA licence conversion, airline transport pilot (ATP) certification training and type rating and simulator courses, delivered with an associated partner training centre in Spain. SET STANDARD reviews your route, prepares you and coordinates your application; the partner centre delivers and certifies the training, and its details and approvals are given in writing with every quote.

Request a quoteSee the ATP routes
Partner centreTraining in Spain · named in writing with your quote
Conversion14 CFR 61.75 · full FAA certificates
ATP routesICAO · EASA · DGCA → FAA
ATP-CTP14 CFR 61.156 programme
Type ratingsA320 · A330 · B737
FeesDates and fees on request

01 · FAA licence conversion

From a foreign licence to an FAA certificate

There are two different things a foreign pilot can hold in the US system, and choosing the wrong one costs time. A certificate issued on the basis of your foreign licence is quick but limited; a full FAA certificate is earned with FAA knowledge and practical tests and stands on its own.

Private pilot certificate based on a foreign licence

14 CFR 61.75

A US private pilot certificate issued on the strength of a licence from an ICAO contracting State, without a further flight test. It carries the foreign licence number and country, and can only be used with that licence in your possession.

  • Foreign licence at private pilot level or higher, with no statement that ICAO standards were not met
  • Aircraft ratings carried over for private pilot privileges only; an instrument rating requires the FAA instrument knowledge test
  • FAA medical or the medical licence of the issuing country; English language proficiency
  • Only one foreign licence may be used, and no other US pilot certificate held (except student)

Read 14 CFR 61.75 on eCFR ↗

Full FAA certificates · commercial and ATP

14 CFR Part 61 · Subparts F and G

For flying for hire on US-registered aircraft or with a US carrier you need a full FAA certificate. Holders of a foreign ATPL, or of a CPL with an instrument rating, from an ICAO contracting State and without geographical limitations, can use that licence to meet the basic eligibility for the FAA ATP certificate.

  • FAA knowledge test and practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner
  • Logged aeronautical experience that meets the FAA requirements
  • For the multi-engine ATP: the ATP-CTP graduation certificate before the knowledge test
  • FAA medical certificate of the class the privileges require

Read 14 CFR 61.153 on eCFR ↗

  1. Verify your licenceRequest FAA verification of your foreign licence (and medical) through IACRA before planning travel or tests. The FAA indicates several weeks of processing.
  2. MedicalObtain the FAA medical certificate your target certificate requires, from an FAA-designated examiner.
  3. Security clearanceNon-US citizens complete the TSA Flight Training Security Program process before training starts.
  4. Training & testsGround and simulator training at the partner centre in Spain, FAA knowledge test and practical test.
  5. CertificateApplication completed in IACRA and signed off by the FAA examiner or Flight Standards office.

02 · ATP routes

ICAO, EASA and DGCA → FAA ATP

The FAA rules are the same whichever State issued your licence: an ATPL, or a CPL with instrument rating, from an ICAO contracting State and free of geographical limitations meets the base eligibility for the FAA ATP. What changes from one pilot to another is the paperwork, the verification with the issuing authority and how your logged experience maps onto the FAA requirements. We review each case before you commit.

ICAO licence holders

Any ICAO contracting State

The general route: foreign licence verification, FAA medical, TSA clearance, ATP-CTP, ATP knowledge test and an ATP practical test, usually combined with a type rating.

EASA Part-FCL holders

ATPL(A) or CPL(A)/IR · EASA Member States

Your national authority confirms the licence and medical to the FAA. Check that your licence shows the instrument privileges and English proficiency the FAA application relies on.

DGCA (India) holders

ATPL or CPL with IR · DGCA India

Same FAA route. Allow time for the DGCA to answer the FAA verification request, and keep your licence and medical valid throughout.

ElementWhat the FAA looks forSource
EligibilityForeign ATPL with instrument privileges, or foreign CPL with instrument rating, from an ICAO contracting State, without geographical limitations; English language; minimum age.61.153
ExperienceTotal and specific flight time requirements for the ATP certificate.61.159
ATP-CTPGraduation certificate from an authorised training provider, required before the multi-engine ATP knowledge test.61.156
Knowledge testATP knowledge test for the category and class sought.61.155
Practical testATP practical test, typically taken together with a type rating in a full flight simulator.61.157
VerificationVerification of the foreign licence (and medical) by the issuing authority, requested through IACRA or the FAA form.FAA

03 · ATP Certification Training Program

ATP-CTP

Before taking the knowledge test for an ATP certificate with a multi-engine airplane class or type rating, the FAA requires a graduation certificate from an approved ATP-CTP course, given by a training provider authorised under Part 121, 135, 141 or 142. The minimum content is set by the regulation.

Academic training · 30 h minimum

14 CFR 61.156(a)

Air carrier operations14 h
Aerodynamics, incl. high-altitude operations8 h
Leadership, professional development, CRM, safety culture6 h
Meteorology, incl. adverse weather2 h

Simulator training · 10 h minimum

14 CFR 61.156(b)

  • At least 6 h in a Level C or higher full flight simulator of a multi-engine turbine airplane (40,000 lb maximum takeoff weight or more): low-energy states and stalls, upset recovery, adverse weather
  • The remainder in a Level 4 or higher FSTD: navigation with flight management systems, automation and autoflight
  • Devices qualified under 14 CFR Part 60

Read 14 CFR 61.156 on eCFR ↗

04 · Type ratings & simulator training

A320 · A330 · B737

Type rating and simulator training towards the FAA type rating and ATP practical test, in full flight simulators at the partner centre in Spain. Course structure, devices and dates depend on your licence, experience and target certificate, and are confirmed in writing with each quote.

Airbus

A320

  • Type rating training and FAA checkride preparation
  • ATP practical test combined with the type rating
  • Simulator sessions for proficiency and interview preparation
Airbus

A330

  • Type rating training and FAA checkride preparation
  • Long-haul operations and widebody handling in the simulator
  • Simulator sessions for proficiency and interview preparation
Boeing

B737

  • Type rating training and FAA checkride preparation
  • ATP practical test combined with the type rating
  • Simulator sessions for proficiency and interview preparation

SET STANDARD Task Sharing and manuals are available as preparation material. SET STANDARD is not a training organisation: training, checking and course certificates are delivered by the partner centre under its own approvals.

In development · SET STANDARD publications

SET STANDARD FAA guides

Six SET STANDARD guides to take you through the FAA process with the same method as our assessment guides. They are being written now; ask to be notified when they are released.

FAA ATP Conversion guide cover — Airbus cockpit at nightAvailable · Edition 1FAA ATP ConversionThe Complete EASA & ICAO Airline Pilot Transition Guide · SS-FAA-001 · Professional Interactive Reference
View the guide and sample pages →EASA vs FAA Comms cover, SET STANDARD TrainingAvailable · Edition 1 · In EnglishEASA vs FAA CommsRadio phraseology and procedures compared side by side — SERA and ICAO against the FAA AIM, VFR and IFR, from the first call to lost communications. 96 pages.
View the guide and sample pages →
In developmentFAA Licence ConversionGeneral guide · from a foreign licence to an FAA certificate, step by step
In developmentICAO → FAA ATPRoute guide for holders of an ICAO-state ATPL or CPL/IR
In developmentEASA → FAA ATPRoute guide for Part-FCL licence holders
In developmentDGCA → FAA ATPRoute guide for holders of an Indian DGCA licence
In developmentATP-CTP CompanionStudy companion for the 30 h academic and 10 h simulator programme

Helpful resources

Official sources

Always work from the official sources. These are the FAA, eCFR and TSA pages you will use most during a conversion or ATP application.

Regulatory summary for orientation only, paraphrased from 14 CFR Part 61 as published on eCFR and from FAA and TSA pages (checked October 2026). Requirements change: confirm the current text with the FAA before you apply.

Plan your FAA route

Tell us your licence, State of issue, hours and the certificate or type rating you need. We will review the route with the partner centre and come back with dates and a written quote.

Request a quote

Looking for an EASA type rating? See the A320 Type Rating in Madrid.