Flying N aircraft with EASA-CH PPL licence?

[jjerome]

According to FAR 61.3, we can operate an N aircraft within a foreign country with a pilot license issued by that country.

However, it looks this does not apply in Switzerland.

Any information or comment on that is more than welcome.

Blueskies,
J

[Mach Jump]

I'm not aware that the FAA make any exceptions to the rule you quoted, Jjerome. If that's the case, then I can only assume it's a Swiss rule.


MJ

Ps. Welcome to PPRune.

[ChickenHouse]

I don't know the current status, but that seems to be related to a general initiative in EASA-land. They want to get the doors closed for all foreign licenses, same as in some areas around me here.

[bookworm]

However, it looks this does not apply in Switzerland.

It would be helpful if you could tell us why you think it doesn't apply in Switzerland.

There is an obligation under the Chicago Convention on Switzerland to accept FAA licences for flight in N-reg aircraft. There is no obligation on it to accept any other state's licence for flight in N-reg aircraft, including ones that Switzerland has issued, even though many states do accept other licences, particularly for private flights.

[BEagle]

Well, according to the FOCA people with whom I was speaking 2 minutes ago, a Part-FCL licence issued in Switzerland may be used to fly an N-reg aeroplane for private purposes within Swiss airspace only.

So yes, Switzerland does accept the relevant clause(s) of FAR 61.3.

[ChickenHouse]

It appears the EASA attack against ICAO has been postponed another time to April 2016 (see i.e. EASA/EU regulation to hit FAA licensed pilots in Europe).

So, keep a sharp lookout!

[BackPacker]

So yes, Switzerland does accept the relevant clause(s) of FAR 61.3.

Although you are correct, this sentence may be misleading.

Under ICAO obligations, the Swiss have to (and will) accept an N-reg that is flown by an FAA licensed pilot. Or to be more precise: A pilot holding a license that is issued or rendered valid by the authority responsible for the aircrew licensing for that aircraft. For an N-reg, that's the FAA. (EASA is trying to get a grip on N-regs, N-reg operators and N-reg pilots being based in the EU but that's another matter - and postponed anyway.)

The FAA has issued a rule, FAR 61.3, that they will accept any ICAO conforming PPL for flight on an N-reg, but only within the airspace of the country that issued that PPL. And subject to a few other limitations which are not relevant here.

So by virtue of getting into that N-reg aircraft, your Swiss-issued ICAO PPL has now become a de facto FAA PPL. Which allows you to start the engine and fly that aircraft - with the Swiss treating you as if you were the holder of an FAA PPL. Within the limitations of the original Swiss license and the limits placed on you by FAR 61.3 obviously.

So it's not the Swiss that accept the clauses of FAR 61.3. It's also not the Swiss that make an exception to their own rules or anything. Rather, it's the FAA which implicitly validates your ICAO PPL for flight on an N-reg. So you're flying the aircraft on a license that is accepted by the authority (FAA) that is responsible for licensing of aircrew on that aircraft.

[BEagle]

The original implication was that Switzerland would not allow the provisions of FAR 61.3 to be exercised by Swiss licence holders.

That has now been addressed; the original comment was incorrect - Switzerland does not restrict its licence holders in the manner alleged.

[ChickenHouse]

All correct, with one detail comment to add, which people tend to forget. The de facto implicit validation of a local EASA Part.FCL to replace a FAA PPL only applies for the country which issued the license. As the EU does not carry status of a country, there is no shortcut for flying Europe.

If you are issued a Swiss EASA Part.FCL, by FAR 61.3 you are eligible to execute the rights of a FAA PPL within Switzerland on a N-reg aircraft. You are not eligible to fly cross border in the EU with the Swiss Part.FCL. So, if you want to fly the N-reg from Switzerland to Austria, you can only do this on a FAA license with FCC radio operator certificate.