Hi Kebab Kid,
A couple of months ago I wrote a reply to a thread which included the exact instructions on how to obtain an FAA PPL under FAR Part 61.75 which is based upon your JAA PPL. This was assuming the JAA PPL was issued in the UK.
However I am now unable to find the post and haven't got a link to it. The search function has been disabled on PPRUNE so can't even search for it. So there's nothing else I can do but to re-write the post and to find all of the links again (I'm bored in work on night shift at the moment)!
So without further ado, here's the new post:
1) Obtain the FAA form from the website.
link:
http://registry.faa.gov/docs/verify61-75.pdf
Just a couple of pointers on the form itself.
Section 4 asks for the address you'd like to have the letter of authenticity sent to. Normally this would be your home address but if you are running low on time consider having the letter sent to the flying school in the USA.
Section 10 asks for the FSDO details you'd like to use to actually visit in person to obtain the FAA PPL. The FSDO you choose will have a copy of the letter sent to them also so they can match your copy and their copy up when you arrive. A list of FSDO's are located at
http://www2.faa.gov/avr/afs/fsdo/.
2) Send the completed FAA form to the FAA in Oklahoma. The FAX number is 001 405 954-9922 (you can check the fax number on the FAA FAQ
http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa....va=&p_faqid=76)
3) Obtain the CAA Form SRG1160 located at
http://www.caa.co.uk/publications/pu...ils.asp?id=521.
4) When completed, send the CAA Form SRG1160 to the CAA by Fax / Mail. The Fax number is on the form. Please do NOT forget to send the £15 payment fee to the UK CAA. They will not process your application if you have forgotten this important bit!
Anyway once that is done (basically two forms, one each of the FAA and CAA) the following will happen:
1) The FAA will send you an email to the address given informing you that they have received your application and will send a request to the UK CAA. This email will probably be sent within a day of you sending the FAA form.
2) The FAA will send a request to the CAA for the verification information.
3) The CAA will cash your cheque / credit card before anything else(!)
4) The CAA will send the FAA your verified details.
5) The FAA will then send you an email informig you that your application has been successful. They will then send you a letter to the address provided in Section 4 of the FAA form and a copy to the FSDO you selected.
Once this has been done you can then go to the FSDO (don't forget to phone them first to make an appointment - required for security reasons since 9/11). Take you passport, logbook, licence, medical, letter of verification, etc etc... you will then need to fill in an 8170 form (they'll provide that at the FSDO) and you'll walk out half an hour later with an FAA PPL based on your JAA PPL.
You'll then be legal to fly as pilot in command in N registered aeroplanes. Oh before you can though you'll have to complete a BFR (Bi-Annual Flight Review) with an instructor but this'll probably be your checkout as well. The BFR is required every two years by all FAA pilots and is basically an hour or so instruction and the same in ground school.
The process took me two weeks from the download of the FAA Form to the Flying School receiving my Letter of Authenticity. So it can be done quickly.
Have a great time in the States!
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.