ICAO to EASA Licence Conversion Explained Clearing the Myths, the Misinformation, and What Actually Matters

If you search online for ICAO to EASA licence conversion, you’ll quickly notice a problem:

There is a huge amount of conflicting information.

Forums, social media posts, outdated blog articles, and second-hand advice often mix partial truths with obsolete regulation. For pilots trying to make career decisions, this can be confusing — and expensive.

At ASG, we work with ICAO-licensed pilots every year who arrive with the same questions, the same misconceptions, and the same uncertainty. That is why we created a clear ICAO-to-EASA conversion guide, based on current EASA regulation and real operational experience — not hearsay. If you would like to learn more, visit our EASA licence conversion section here or even download our purpose built EASA licence conversion guide here.

This article explains what conversion actually involves, why so much misinformation exists, and how pilots should approach the process in 2025 and beyond.

First, an Important Clarification: This Is About Theory — Not Just a Licence

One of the biggest sources of confusion is terminology.

When people talk about “ATPL conversion”, they often mean the licence itself.
In reality, the most significant part of ICAO-to-EASA conversion is EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge.

This article is specifically about EASA ATPL theory requirements, not just the administrative act of holding an EASA licence.

That distinction matters.

Myth 1: “Experienced ICAO Pilots Don’t Need EASA ATPL Theory”

This is the most persistent myth — and also the easiest to clarify.

Reality:
All ICAO licence holders converting to EASA must complete the full EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge syllabus.

There are:

• No experience-based exemptions

• No shortcuts based on total flight time

• No reduced exam sets for airline captains

This applies regardless of whether you flew:

• Long-haul or short-haul

• Airbus or Boeing

• For a major airline or a charter operator

EASA requires a common theoretical baseline for all pilots operating under its system.

Myth 2: “Conversion Is Mostly Paperwork”

Another common misunderstanding is that ICAO-to-EASA conversion is mainly an administrative exercise.

In reality, conversion has two core pillars:

1. EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge

2. Skill test / assessment, depending on licence and ratings

The theory phase comes first — and for most pilots, it is the longest and most demanding part of the process.

Why EASA ATPL Theory Is Not a Question-Bank Exercise

Many pilots returning to study after years on the line understandably look for efficiency. The temptation to rely heavily on question banks is common.

However, modern EASA exams — particularly Area 100 KSA — are explicitly designed to assess:

• Applied knowledge

• Scenario-based reasoning

• Mental arithmetic

• Operational judgement

Area 100 KSA is not about memorising answers. It is about demonstrating how knowledge is used, not just recalled.

This is why pilots who rely exclusively on question banks often struggle — especially if they have been away from formal study for some time.

Area 100 KSA and Mental Arithmetic: Why It Matters

Area 100 Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) represents a significant shift in EASA assessment philosophy.

It focuses on:

• Decision-making

• Risk management

• Real-world operational thinking

• Mental arithmetic without over-reliance on tools

This is deliberate. EASA wants evidence that pilots can think, not just pass exams.

Any credible conversion pathway must prepare pilots for this — not avoid it.

Why So Much Misinformation Exists

Much of the confusion around ICAO-to-EASA conversion comes from three sources:

1. Regulatory changes over time

2. Forum posts that are years out of date

3. Advice based on individual edge cases

EASA regulation evolves. What was true in 2016 may not be true today.

This is exactly why ASG produced a structured, up-to-date conversion guide — to give pilots a stable reference point in a noisy information space.

ASG’s Approach: Built for Experienced Pilots

ASG is an EASA-approved training organisation with extensive experience in:

• EASA ATPL theory delivery

• Online and hybrid learning

• Supporting ICAO licence holders through conversion

• Preparing pilots for Area 100 KSA

Our approach is intentionally different:

• Conceptual understanding over memorisation

• Online learning supported by live instructor access

• Hybrid classrooms for flexibility without isolation

• Clear structure and realistic expectations

We do not treat experienced pilots as ab-initio students — but we also do not underestimate the demands of EASA theory.

A Note on Licensing Authority and Medical Strategy

One often-overlooked detail is the choice of initial EASA Class 1 medical authority.

In many cases, this determines your licensing authority, which can affect:

• Processing times

• Administrative workload

• Long-term licence management

This is another area where early, accurate guidance can prevent unnecessary complications later.

The Bottom Line

ICAO to EASA conversion is not about starting again — and it is not about shortcuts.

It is about aligning your experience with a different regulatory framework, one that prioritises standardisation, applied knowledge, and demonstrable competence.

Done with proper guidance, the process is:

• Predictable

• Structured

• Manageable

Done based on misinformation, it quickly becomes frustrating and costly.

Further Reading

ASG has created a detailed ICAO to EASA Licence Conversion Guide to help pilots navigate the process with clarity and confidence. It is designed to answer the questions pilots actually ask — not just quote regulation.

Author

Diarmuid O’Riordan
Diarmuid O’Riordan is an airline pilot, air traffic controller, and the founder of ASG, an EASA-approved pilot training organisation. He has extensive experience delivering EASA ATPL theoretical knowledge, supporting ICAO-to-EASA licence conversions, and designing online and hybrid learning environments for professional pilots.

Through ASG, Diarmuid works closely with pilots transitioning between regulatory systems, with a particular focus on conceptual understanding, applied knowledge, and preparing candidates for modern EASA assessments such as Area 100 KSA. His work is grounded in operational experience, current regulation, and a commitment to reducing misinformation in aviation training.