Dstefanc From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 63 posts, RR: 4 Posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 7553 times:
Hi,
I hope some of You could help me with this. I have a private pilot license in US and I want to use it in other countries. To be more specific, I will most probably be working in the UK Aug. - Dec. 2006 and I would want to use my license there. Is there any paper work required, or does it work like a driver's license, where it is valid without any paper work for the first couple of months or so (at least in the US from what I have been told). Any help is greatly appreciated.
Nrcnyc From United States of America, joined Apr 2005, 111 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 7545 times:
I dont know about the UK. But i was told that I could fly with my PPL in Sweden next fall while I study at the University of Stockholm. I would have to take a short informal course on Swedish Aviation rules, go on a checkride with the rental company, and notify the JAA and CAA(Swedens FAA, at least from what I understand). I was told that I could not use my FAA issued Instrument raiting unless it was in an N-registered plane. In order to fly IFR in Sweden I would need to take 6-months of a IFR theory and then and IFR checkride.
Dstefanc From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 63 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 7538 times:
The JAA doesn't think very much of your FAA licences, so you might have a problem doing anything but flying around with an instructor. Do follow Trident3's advice and contact the UK CAA. As I understand it you will be have to take training and pass a test if you want to do instrument work. As for commerical, forget it.
KELPkid From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 5932 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 7445 times:
My understanding is that if it's an N-registered aircraft (more common than you might think in the UK!), no problems. Although, the prudent thing to do would be to familiarize ones self with the regulation differences between the UK and US... AOPA http://www.aopa.org/ is a good resource for these types of questions.
Celebrating the birth of KELPkidJR on August 5, 2009 :-)
Legacy135 From Switzerland, joined May 2005, 1052 posts, RR: 29 Reply 6, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 7415 times:
A US licence in a N registered aircraft is good around the globe. Just think about all the airlines flying over the globe.
Basically you can say, the licence goes with the aircraft. This means, a US licence is good for any US registered aircraft, a UK licene for any G- registered aircraft or a Chinese licence wit a Chinese registered aircraft. If you want to fly an aircraft of another country than US, you will need the licence or a validation of this country. Many countries do acccept and validate foreign licences on individual base. What you will need in such a case is a validation or at least a writen statement from the respective authority which say that they accept your licence with so and so aircraft. But this is individual and you will need to check out with UK CAA to get a more specific information on.
Simpelst is to charter a N- registered aircraft. If you find one in the UK, all you need to do is hop in and fly away. Still, if you've never flown outside your country, don't underestimate the foreign airspaces and procedures. Best is to let show yourself around a little by a local instructor. It's also more fun for you, as you can relax more on flying.
If you have a chance to obtain a JAA licence during your stay in the UK, do it. It only can help you on further excursions, as a JAA licence is good for all memberstates. So holding one, flying in Sweden, Germany, Spain, Switzerland or where ever will be much simpler.
The UK is actually a great place to fly around. It's full of aviation history, has many nice aeroclubs where you will recieve a warm welcome, nice grass strips and very professional aviators. Enjoy your stay!
Goaliemn From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 463 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 7402 times:
Quoting KELPkid (Reply 5): My understanding is that if it's an N-registered aircraft (more common than you might think in the UK!), no problems
This is true. The interior of the aircraft is US Soil (old rule going back to water-based ships. Airplanes are air ships) so your license is valid, for daylight usage at the very least. I know many people who have done this, as many UK FBO's have N-registered aircraft for this very reason.
You do have to comply with UK aviation laws, so make sure you are aware of the differences.
Fly727 From Mexico, joined Jul 2003, 1788 posts, RR: 23 Reply 9, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 7334 times:
Quoting Legacy135 (Reply 6): A US licence in a N registered aircraft is good around the globe. Just think about all the airlines flying over the globe.
Basically you can say, the licence goes with the aircraft. This means, a US licence is good for any US registered aircraft, a UK licene for any G- registered aircraft or a Chinese licence wit a Chinese registered aircraft. If you want to fly an aircraft of another country than US, you will need the licence or a validation of this country. Many countries do acccept and validate foreign licences on individual base. What you will need in such a case is a validation or at least a writen statement from the respective authority which say that they accept your licence with so and so aircraft. But this is individual and you will need to check out with UK CAA to get a more specific information on.
Simpelst is to charter a N- registered aircraft. If you find one in the UK, all you need to do is hop in and fly away. Still, if you've never flown outside your country, don't underestimate the foreign airspaces and procedures. Best is to let show yourself around a little by a local instructor. It's also more fun for you, as you can relax more on flying.
If you have a chance to obtain a JAA licence during your stay in the UK, do it. It only can help you on further excursions, as a JAA licence is good for all memberstates. So holding one, flying in Sweden, Germany, Spain, Switzerland or where ever will be much simpler.
The UK is actually a great place to fly around. It's full of aviation history, has many nice aeroclubs where you will recieve a warm welcome, nice grass strips and very professional aviators. Enjoy your stay!
Cheers
Legacy135
Couldn't be explained better and simplier. It helped me a lot.
RM
There are no stupid questions... just stupid people!
SLUAviator From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 357 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (7 years 2 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 7220 times:
Beware of renting costs in Europe.... it is usually WAY more expensive then renting in the states. I was in Ireland 3 weeks ago, and on a whim we poped into one of the FBOs in Waterford. I was told their 172 went for 115 Euro/hour wet + the instructor for the checkout. Even if it was dollars, $115 is expensive for a 172 (the one we were looking at was not a new one). It hurts the wallet very quickly! All you need is your license, log book (then want to check out your recent flying) and your medical.
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