Recreational flying in the USA.

[gcolyer]

Under current US Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations, you do not need a special visa to enter the United States to fly for pleasure, (hour build). You can enter as a tourist under the B2 Visitor for Pleasure Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if you are the holder of a passport from a country accepted into the VWP. The UK, Ireland and Germany and virtually all European countries are included in the VWP. If you are in doubt as to whether you are a citizen of a country included in the VWP check with your travel agent or the US Embassy in your home country. Also hour building is not currently included in the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) security requirements so no registration is required under this program.



You must have an FAA licence to be Pilot in Command, (PIC). If you do not already have an FAA licence, whether "stand alone" or issued on the basis of your existing licence, you must apply to the FAA in Oklahoma City for a letter of verification to issue an FAA licence. If your licence is a JAA/CAA licence issued by the UK CAA you must, due to the Data Protection Act, give the CAA permission to release your licence details to the FAA. The CAA currently charge an administrative fee of £38 to process the release of you licensing details to the FAA. Information and the necessary form(s) are included in the attachments file. You must expedite the issue by sending the applications forms to the CAA/FAA by fax and have the FAA send the verification letter directly to us at our Ormond Beach Airport address marked for your attention, this procedure "short circuits" the international mail system. If you cannot open the attachments you can download the required CAA form, SRG 1160, from http://www.caa.co.uk/publications/publications.asp?cattype=formcat&id=2 and the required FAA instructions and form AFS-760-Exam-02 (7/04) from http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certific...erify61-75.pdf , this form can be completed on line and printed after completion. If completing the writable PDF on line you must print the form on completion and in box 10 enter "FSDO 15". The CAA/FAA will not accept application by email only in hard copy by fax or mail.

It is a fairly quick process. That pain in the backside part is choosing which FSDO to go to and collect you FAA papers.

PM me if you are confused.

Gary