1. check that your 'brown' licence was issued for 'life'. There were a couple of years when they were issued for a fixed term.
2. Did you hold a Radiotelephony Licence? If so then it doesn't matter that it has expired; holding the expired R/T licence will qualify for the RT privileges to be entered into your updated PPL. note: it is not mandatory to hold a RT licence to fly but it is in order to operate the radios. If you did not hold an RT licence or can't find it then you need to undertake a Radio Telephony test with a RT examiner but this will require a couple of hours briefing before hand.
You do not need your FAA licence as such, but with your logbook your demonstrated currency will satisfy the school/flying clubs HOD/CFI that you do not require training. (I'm sure all will agree that UK airspace familiarisation training is essential once in the UK). The HOD (with CAA Approval) can then complete that the training is satisfied and sign the training certificate which is then suppled with your application to the CAA. You do not require mandatory training. You will need a SEPL Renewal test with a UK CAA Flight Examiner. This will be very similar to the biennial test that you will be used to. You will require the English language Proficiency form is completed and submitted to level 6 and this can follow a brief chat.. Do you have a CAA approved school and examiner near you in Texas?
Your now ready to submit the licence re-issue application form. The PPL licence will be in the new format. State that you want to keep the old brown licence (it is still valid for use with limited privileges but these limitations could change for the better).
Whatever route you choose you are up against the clock.
Last edited by Fl1ingfrog; 19th Jun 2022 at 00:42.