Flying in the U.S.for non-U.S. citizens

• Training in the U.S.• Foreign license conversion

Training in the U.S. – “TSA Rule”Training in the U.S. – “TSA Rule”• Airships, balloons, and gliders are exempt• Flight review and proficiency check, or tailwheel, high-

performance, and complex endorsements are exempt• Student pilot must have non-visitor visa status• Category 1 – Aircraft over 12,500 lbs• Category 2 – Aircraft over 12,500 lbs for flight crew• Category 3 – Aircraft under 12,500 lbs — see next slide• Category 4 – Aircraft over 12,500 lbs for recurrent

training if you are current and qualified in the aircraft you want to train in

• Useful resources:– Official website: http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/– AFSP.Help@dhs.gov — Phone (571) 227-4544– http://www.aopa.org/tsa_rule/ – lots of information in plain English

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For information only: regulations may change! Check with FAA/TSA/AOPA

Training in the U.S. – “TSA Rule”(cont)

Training in the U.S. – “TSA Rule”(cont)

• Category 3 – Training for sport, recreational, and private pilot certificates, or instrument and multiengine ratings, aircrafts under 12,500 lbs:

– Instructor/school registers with TSA (http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/fsindex.html).

– Student presents current valid passport.– Student registers and applies for training with TSA (http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov).

– Instructor confirms student’s request.– Student pays TSA $130 processing fee.– TSA preliminary decision received.– Student submits fingerprints to TSA (http://www.tsc-csc.com/printoffices/ for list of locations)

Closest one Providence airport, business hours; or Terryville, CT (anytime with appointment) – fee

– TSA confirms receipt of fingerprints and fee and allows flight training to begin.– Student photo taken on first day of flight training and sent to TSA.– TSA notifies instructor if training needs to stop.– Training must start within 6 months of approval and be completed within 1 year.

• Fingerprinting is once and for all

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For information only: regulations may change! Check with FAA/TSA/AOPA

Converting from a foreign license Converting from a foreign license • License needs to be from International Civil Aviation Org. (ICAO) country• Free• No need for background check, fingerprinting, TSA registration, or other…• No need for U.S. medical certificate (U.S. medical cannot be used) • No need to prove English proficiency for radiocommunications• No need to take FAA (written) knowledge test

(except for IFR: instrument foreign pilot (IFP) knowledge test)• FAA license will be dependant on the the foreign license and medical

(you only need to keep one license and medical current)• Steps

– Request from FAA a verification of the authenticity and currency of your foreign licensehttp://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/foreign_license_verification/

• UK and Australia pilots need to contact their civil aviation authority prior to requesting the verification

– FAA will send you a letter once this is complete (< 3 months) and will mail a copy to the FSDO you have chosen

– Fill out FAA form 8710-1 – http://forms.faa.gov/forms/faa8710-1a.pdf– You then have 6 months to visit the FSDO with all your documents and FAA form to get your

FAA “restricted” certificate issued – call ahead of timehttp://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/ (Lexington, MA, near KBED)

• A foreign license of any level (private, commercial, ATP) will be converted into FAA private only (except Canada, by taking a knowledge test)

• U.S. instructors/FBOs tend to not like converted licenses…

For information only: regulations may change! Check with FAA/TSA/AOPA Sou

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