PATHWAY MANUAL

EASA → FAA → CAAS

Complete certification pathway. EU sailplanes to Singapore Airlines cockpit.

Begin Phase 01 Timeline
Phases3
FAA Hours1,500
CAAS Hours3,000
Exams2
01PHASE 01 — EASA

SPL, TMG, LAPL(A), Towing

Build total time cost-effectively in EU sailplanes and TMGs. Obtain LAPL(A) with SEP privileges for towing.

REF  FCL.110.A(b) · FCL.135.A(a) · FCL.805 · Part-SFCL

Checklist
LAPL(A) Credit
Standard
  • 30 hrs
  • 15 hrs dual
  • 6 hrs solo
→
SPL(TMG)
  • 21 hrs
  • Credit
  • Credit
Skill test required for SEP class.
SEP Extension
Instruction3 hrs
Dual T/O & L/D10
Solo T/O & L/D10
Skill TestReq'd

Must demonstrate adequate theoretical knowledge.

Towing Rating
PIC Time30 hrs
T/O & L/D60
CourseDTO/ATO
Instruction10 tows
Familiarisation5 (exempt)
FI(S) & TMG Instructing
PIC Sailplanes100 hrs
PIC Launches200
FI(S) Course≥55 hrs
TMG Extension≥6 hrs
200-Hour Rule: Log towing as PIC with 100 hrs aeroplane or 200 hrs combined. TMG counts.
TRANSITEU → US
02PHASE 02 — US

FAA ATP

Convert EU experience → PPL/IR/CPL/ME. Complete airplane-only sub-requirements.

REF  14 CFR §61.159 · ATP-CTP

Checklist
FAA ATP + TMG Credit
Total Time
1,500✓
Cross-Country
500✗
Night
100✗
Instrument
75✗
PIC (Airplane)
250✗
Class (ME)
50✗
TMG counts for 1,500 total only — not XC/night/instrument/PIC.
Training Path
1PPL
→
2IR
→
3CPL
→
4ME
→
5CTP
→
6ATP
TRANSITUS → SG
03PHASE 03 — CAAS

CAAS Conversion

FAA ATP → CAAS ATPL with sponsor, minimum exams.

REF  SASP Part 2 Ch. 11 · Annex 3 · Para 13/14

Pre-Conversion
CAAS TMG RuleBLOCKED
TMG ratings not convertible under CAAS Annex 3. Based on FAA ATP only.
500-Hr TrapSTRICT
Military hours excluded. All EU + US civil flying counts.
14-Exam TrapPARA 13

Meet one threshold → only 2 exams:

Total hours700
PIC hours200
Night XC10
Air Law + Operational Procedures only.
Exam Summary
Air LawPass
Operational Proc.Pass
Human PerformanceExempt
Performance (A)Exempt
TRANSITCONVERSION
04TIMELINE

Your Journey

Three phases. One pathway. From EU sailplanes to Singapore Airlines cockpit.

1

EU

SPL → TMG → SEP → Towing

Build time
2

US

PPL → IR → CPL → ATP

Airplane hrs
3

CAAS

Sponsor → Verify → ATPL

2 exams
TRANSITREVIEW
05WARNINGS

Key Strategic Warnings

Critical rules that shape the entire pathway. Read carefully.

SEP skill test mandatory

Credit reduces hours but doesn't exempt SEP test.

TMG = Glider for FAA

Counts toward 1,500 total, not sub-requirements.

TMG not CAAS-convertible

Based on FAA ATP only.

500-hr civil rule strict

Military excluded. EU + US civil counts.

Avoid 14-exam trap

Exceed 700 TT / 200 PIC → Para 13.

Gather FAA results early

Needed for Human Performance + Performance A exemptions.