Warning if you want an FAA piggyback licence

[Sam Rutherford]

A quick note which might affect a few of you.

If you already hold ANY TYPE of FAA certificate, then they will not issue any type of foreign validation.

So, for example:

Holder has FAA airplane cert.
Holder has JAA helicopter licence.

Holder wants to fly N helicopter, using 'piggy back system' (ie no standalone licence, training, TSA, visas, check ride etc. etc. etc.).

Short answer, he can't! I didn't push any harder on my theoretical questioning as I was getting my CPL H (which is automatically standalone anyway). If you think this could affect you, please contact the FAA - and see if there is in fact a way (and please post here).

It is clearly ridiculous that having an airplane certificate can make things more difficult than having nothing at all! :ugh:

So, be aware. Having an FAA certificate can make it more difficult to fly N reg than not having one!!!

Safe flights, Sam.

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi,

I'm not debating the value of a standalone cert (I have one, now also includes rotorcraft).

My point is just to make those who wish to go down the simple route of a piggyback licence that there's a potential glitch out there that nobody knows much about.

Orlando FSDO did not have an answer for me - only 'you already have an FAA cert, you don't need to come in'. They refused to see me.


"Still much cheaper than the other way around."

The piggyback system (if you hold a UK licence) costs GBP42 (paid to the CAA, not the FAA!). That's it - so no, getting a standalone FAA cert is much more expensive than that!

Sam.

[Sam Rutherford]

Ah, sorry. Yes, cheaper to do FAA first...

Safe flights all, Sam.

[MartinCh]

The 'glitch' would not affect many, as most pilots do 61.75 for hourbuilding, flying fixed wing, not tinkering with more than one class/category.

For people like you and me, ehrm, yes, it could be. I'm waiting for my Argentine PPL(A) to be validated for USA. I'll do the FAA PPL(H) final bits of flying later, so it should be OK. Unless I don't get the PPL(A) papers sorted on time, in which case with FAA PPL(H) I'd be out of luck and either flying 'supervised' XC and solo till CPL issue, or doing PPL checkride in spamcan.

I've already read and asked about validating glider licence and airplane licence from different countries (as it is in my case) for flying in the US. Now that I know what you remind us of, I'd make sure my timing is right.
I'll need to call up or email one of the FSDOs to get answer for that I guess.

So envious of your fun XC trips to warm countries, Sam. ;)
(and Maule as well - tailwheel rocket. I flew J3 and PA11 Cubs so far, but hope for fun aeros in Citabria coming summer)

[snotcicles]

About 2 months ago I applied for an FAA private airmans certificate for the purpose of ferrying N registered machines between American airspace and Canadian. It was given to me without much trouble however it must be accompanied with my valid Canadian CHPL. I'm not sure what is meant by a "piggyback" licence but you must have an appropriate FAA licence to fly an N registered aircraft in U.S. airspace. Outside U.S. airspace they don't seem to care.

[MartinCh]

people call it 'piggyback' as it's 'based on' temporary validation accompanying own full licence. Pretty much what you had I presume.

Funny that you mention Canadian CPL. It's been couple years since TC and FAA got together to allow quick full conversion for fixed wing, doing air law and comm abridged exam. Somehow they didn't bother with helicopters and other craft. Sure, not so many hours to fly to get CHPL, but extra fees.

[md 600 driver]

i think what sam is saying you can hold only 1 faa licence either standalone or based on [61.75 ]
my examiner in the us cancelled my 61.75 when i passed my standalone unfortunately i had also fixed wing priviledge on my 61.75 he said if i wanted fixed wing i would have to do a fixed wing test and add it to my stand alone
steve

[Sam Rutherford]

I don't know if the answer is here...

FSIMS Document Viewer (http://redirectingat.com/?id=42X487496&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffsims.faa.gov%2FPICDetail.aspx%3FdocId%3D05 EA9A36061255FF8525734F00766662&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pprune.org%2Fprivate-flying%2F426446-get-piggy-back-faa-ppl-2.html)

Safe, and at least occasionally exotic (!) flights, Sam.