Gone for the Seaplane Rating Course at Jack Browns
Just thought I'd let you know what I'd booked and how the process is working out for me. Better than expected in some ways.
I chose Jack Brown's Seaplane - 2 day course/5 hours for Seaplane Rating which can include a BFR for a 61.75 Piggyback FAA PPL license that would allow me to fly (SEP landplanes) in the US on any future trips with less hassle. I wanted to go with a more established/slightly larger company and do something that's not so feasible here in the UK (hence seaplanes). Called them up and booked a slot. They said they are pretty busy at this time of year, but it tails off in June/July/August because of the heat. I got the last place (of 3) for my chosen days, and that was booking 5-6 weeks in advance. Training sessions start early 8:30 first day and I think 7:30 second day, but finish mid afternoon - I guess that's before the thunderstorms break out.
I'm not taking TSA fingerprints and will be getting the usual visa waiver on the plane. Have an ESTA from last year's business trip, which remains valid. This is not an initial PPL issue and the seaplane rating does not require TSA approval or M-1 training visa.
Faxed off the standard forms to FAA and CAA to convert my JAR-PPL to a FAA-PPL - the so-called piggyback licence. Got a receipt posted back from the CAA in about 3 days and faxed "letter of verification" from the Orlando FSDO in 6 working days (bear in mind this was over Easter break too). The letter instructed me to make an appointment at the Orlando FSDO to collect my license, and book at least 2 weeks ahead.
After calling Jack Browns, it turns out they are a designated foreign pilot center and their resident examiner can issue the FAA PPL without me needing to go to the FSDO. I just need to ensure I have all the paperwork in order and am proficient enough to pass the BFR (Biennial Flight Review) which can be an integral part of the seaplane rating course. This will entitle me to rent/fly SEP aircraft in the US on future trips. My JAR-PPL still has 4 years to go and I don't plan to move house, so this seems worthwhile to do for little extra cost.
What this means for others is that if you wanted to get a piggyback licence on the back of a business trip to the US (like me), it can be done at shorter notice than the 45 days (to get the letter issued) + 2 weeks (booking appointment ahead at the FSDO) timeframe indicated by the FAA provided that you (a) Fax the documents and request fax back for letter of verification and (b) go directly to a foreign pilot center with a resident examiner - although there are no guarantees or commitments that the short turnaround on the letter can be achieved every time. This may be a useful option for those who could add a day or so on to a business trip, but like me, have ad-hoc trips arranged only a week or so ahead.
I've also done a bit of research on whether the US FAA Seaplane Rating that I should get can be transferred back to my JAR-PPL licence. It seems that the requirements in LASORS 2010 are:
- 5 hours dual instruction on seaplanes (ie the course i plan to do)
- 1 solo takeoff and landing (could be just a single circuit but will be extra from the standard course)
- Seaplane theory exam (however, I am a RYA Yachtmaster so am excused that requirement)
My understanding is therefore that if I do this one additional solo takeoff/landing, I could transfer the seaplane rating back to the JAR PPL with a bit of paperwork.
Whether that would be of any practical use is highly debatable of course, but I like to check out all the options in advance.
Thanks for the recommendations earlier and I'll let you know how I get on.
I do plan to read up the FAA differences and "How to pass your flight review" suggested by Stevelup earlier in this thread. Any other suggestions, caveats or comments welcome! I look forward to finding out how aviation works on the other side of the pond.
SD