I'll be in the good ol' US of A in a few weeks and I'm wondering what procees has to be followed to obtain an FAA pilots certificate. Normally I wouldn't bother but I have to get a C210 from TN out to the west coast so I thought I'd give it a go myself.

Youre leaving it a bit late... normally takes three months to organise.

Fax the FAA a copy of your licence, medical, and the last page from your logbook, along with the relevant form available on their web site. I cant remember what its called, but search it for "foreign pilots" and print that off.

Nominate an FAA district office that you want to go to, and when your application has been confirmed with your CAA of the issuing state of your licence, theyll call you in, you show the original documents to the guy behind the counter with a mustache (for some reason, they all have one) and he gives you a temporary licence.

Your real one comes out a couple of months later.

Its an absolute breeze to do, but get onto it about three months before you arrive.

If you need someone to ferry the plane, PM me.

Thanks guys.

gassed budgie, are you UK based?

If so, take a look at these notes (http://www.atsx91.dsl.pipex.com/aviation.htm) (Scroll down a page). Actually, even if not UK based there may be some useful info there.

Also, it's worth searching the Private Flying forum - lots of good advice, and 'SoCal App" who hangs out there seems well up to date with the current scene.

It's essentially as Lasiorhinus describes, however although the advised time is 90 days experience suggests it can be achieved in as little as a small number of weeks sometimes. (13 calendar days for me until the letter from the FAA arrived on my doorstep in the UK).

Gents
Anybody know if I can convert my JAA ATPL to an FAA ATP with out the full exam process, I have an FAA Commercial / IR already. Appreicate any help.
Thanks in advance.