hi tiffany...i'll be breaf with the answer....it's not hard to convert your african licence into a FAA one.....there are a few steps to do....first you would need to get your cpl verified by the FAA headquarters in oklahoma....they only check that your licence is valid, true..and yoru medical is current....this done...they will be able to give you a FAA private pilot licence based on your foreign licence (all for free..no questions..no exams...nothing) with this in hand..you are LEGALLY able to fly in the US.,,,rent a plane..and do whatever you want(obviously you will need to do a few hours od dual with an instructor to get used to the difference)....this done...you are on your way.......now if you want to get the instrument rating or the commercial licence...then you will have to study for the written exam...and comply with the flight experience requirements and take the checkride with an examiner......so....bottomline..if you only plan do build hours for cheap prices....just get your FAA private and fly....(call me for this prices...i'm a instructor willing to help foreign pilots...as i am one of them) but if you want to build the career here..then you will need to spend quite a lot of money...to then realize you cant work here with no work permit.........so...there you go..any question......ask me..
