Converting a South African Comm. Licence to a USA FAA licence

[j-spax]

Guys,

Could anyone point me in the right direction with regard to converting a SA comm. Licence to an FAA licence?

I hear it is writing 1 exam and doing a flight test, but I would like some sort of confirmation.

Any ideas??

Cheers

[cavortingcheetah]

:hmm:

It will be interesting to see what replies come in to this enquiry.
As it applied to me, many moons ago, I wrote Air Law, passed Class 1 medical and did a flight test, initial multi rating, but was then issued with a Commercial Licence which was endorsed as not valid for hire or reward. This was in effect a PPL/Multi.
If one wanted to fly for a living one would have had to write, in my case, the ATPL and Instrument exams and also pass the necessary flght test.
But that is old information.
The necessary books for self study for the multiple choice exams are readily available through the internet and of course there is always this website which might provide further information.

http://www.faa.gov/index.cfm

Somewhere there is a little bell ringing that says that since 9/11 one has to either be a US citizen to get an FAA licence - but that can't be right-or at least fulfill some other robust security check or requirement.
Perhaps others can shed more accurate light on this or a telephone call to either one of these links' office might provide further clarification?

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/phl/

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/

:)

[SIDESTICKDRIVER]

The process is rather tedious and can take some time. Firstly, if you meet the requirements(Hours), you should consider going straight for the ATPL. Either way, it is one examination consisting of 80 questions. The best book, I believe is from Gleim Publications. www.gleim.com (http://www.gleim.com). Whichever license you decide to take, you need to obtain a TSA clearance first. You can visit www.flightschoolcandidates.gov (http://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov) for more information. If you are planning on doing the flight test in the US, you would need to obtain fingerprints (which forms part of the TSA Clearance). Check the website carefully as they have different requirements for different ratings. The flight school would need to send you a course number/ID, confirming that you are enrolled for a Comm/ALTP Test. Without this information from the flight school you will not be issued a TSA Clearance. Also, it is important to look on the faa.gov website and complete the necessary forms for the License verification. This could take up to 90 Days, so do it well ahead of the time. I do believe there is only a few DPE's (Designated Pilot Examiners) authorised to do your flight test outside the USA. Contact Captain Tom Hughston, a really helpful guy, have had dealings with him for over 18 months. His contact details are on his website, www.businessair.us (http://www.businessair.us). He is based in the UK and is also authorised to do Initial Comm/IF/ATP tesys in Africa and the Middle East. Hope this helps!! Good Luck:ok:

[cavortingcheetah]

:cool:

It most certainly does, many thanks.:)

[j-spax]

Wonderful!!!

You all have really pointed me in the right direction, and for that, I am grateful

Cheers

[zimsean]

Be ready for a serious flight test! The written exam (multiple choice actually) is fairly straightforward but the oral exam prior to your flight and the actual flight test are VERY thorough! Not the 0,4 flight tests that I've often heard of here in SA! The FAA examiners are not unfair but you have to be on top of your game to pass as they stick strictly to the required criteria (all of which are contained in a separate booklet that you should be given). I've done 4 licenses there, 2 FW and 2 heli, there and all of them were strict but fair with flight tests of 1.5-1.8 hours. You will be fine if you go in prepared.

You might be interested to know that the Tony Smit is the only FAA instructor in SA that I've been able to find. He can only do renewals though, not initial issue tests. He is an excellent instructor and a great person. Old school who has flown everything with wings! Handy to know him come time for a bi-annual.

Good luck and enjoy the experience - flying in the States is awesome! :ok: