ATP SE add-on / Chicago

@Thomas Fsn
Chicago is a large area. Here is a link to the AOPA flight school finder: 

@Thomas Fsn
Yeah, your lack of an FAA ASEL rating means you can't practice for the ATP-ASEL additional rating ride without an instructor aboard.  Good news is that once that instructor signs a 61.31(d)(2) endorsement for you to be PIC of a single-engine airplane without the rating (albeit without passengers), you can practice by yourself and then 61.47(c) allow you to be PIC for the practical test without that rating.

Thanks @Ronald Levy !

I also have a foreign-based FAA PPL (61.75), with ASEL ASES AMEL IR, and a current BFR, so I should be ok (my foreign license single engine rating is valid, of course) !

By the way, I was more digging into an intensive brush-up followed by the checkride ;-)

@Thomas Fsn
So you do have FAA ASEL privileges, which would cover you for practice and the checkride without need of a 61.31d2 endorsement – that makes life simpler.  And if you need that brushup, yes, good school would be a good idea as well as a source of a good instrument airplane for training and the check, not to mention a good connection with a DPE.  I just don't know anybody in the Windy City.

@Ronald Levy
Since you are living abroad, you could just as well train where you are.  There are no training requirements for the ATP certificate.  Since you already have a M/E ATP, you do not need to take the knowledge test.

There are no endorsements required to take the practical test.

You don't need a complex airplane.  I did my S/E ATP in a Piper Archer.

Just pick an airplane to train in near where you live (preferably with glass instruments and autopilot).  Then find a school in Chicago that has a like airplane in its stable.  Then, when you get here, just do whatever flights might be necessary to acquaint yourself with the airplane and the local area.

Again, the DPE you choose might well depend on the airport at which you rent the airplane.

You can find a list of DPEs for the Greater Chicago FSDO at this link:

Just put GL03 in the “Office Name” box and click Search.

@Ronald Levy @Kristian Kortokrax 

Thanks to both of you guys, I'm in touch with a few schools and will try to work something out.

Thanks for the good advices !