U.S. FAR Changes Allow license Conversions Effective 31/10/2011

[Check 6]

The U.S. FARs are changing on 31/10/2011. The many changes include allowing conversion of foreign commercial and ATPL certificates for ICAO member countries with a BASA agreement with the U.S.

Read here (http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/08/31/2011-22308/pilot-in-command-proficiency-check-and-other-changes-to-the-pilot-and-pilot-school-certification#p-47) for summary of conversion changes

Complete document here (http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/08/31/2011-22308/pilot-in-command-proficiency-check-and-other-changes-to-the-pilot-and-pilot-school-certification#p-49) with all FAR changes

I don't know anymore than what I posted here as this information was released today. Here is the actual change to 61.71(c):


§ 61.71 Graduates of an approved training program other than under this part: Special rules.
* * * * *
(c) A person who holds a foreign pilot license and is applying for an equivalent U.S. pilot certificate on the basis of a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement and associated Implementation Procedures for Licensing is considered to have met the applicable aeronautical experience, aeronautical knowledge, and areas of operation requirements of this part.

[MarkerInbound]

Reading through it I wouldn't expect anything to happen 01Nov11. There is only one country the US has BASA agreement with, Canada.

[Check 6]

I believe that we have Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements with about 30 countries.

[MarkerInbound]

That's for aircraft certification. When you read through the Federal Register background

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-31/pdf/2011-22308.pdf

it says there is ony one BASA with Implementing Procedures for Licensing. And it took 6 years to work out the deal with Canada.

[Panama Jack]

I agree with MarkerInbound. This regulatory ammendment provides the groundwork for the FAA to be able to negotiate Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements (BASA) and Implementing Procedures for Licensing (IPL) with other countries. A step in the right direction and inline with the spirit of ICAO Annex 1. It is hard to see though how many countries will jump on to this one. I doubt the Europeans will be keen to roll over that easily (remember, this is a reciprocal agreement).

[zondaracer]

Inferior or not, the JAA system is so costly re licensing. I couldn't imagine the financial repercussions to the European flight training industry if FAA licenses were readily converted to EASA.

[Check 6]

No worries, so pay the big bucks and obtain your FAA certificate the hard way.