Zano12
30th Mar 2019, 10:02
Hi all-
I am looking at doing an FAA conversion for my NZ CPL/ME IR.
I have contacted various schools in the US, but very few have responded, and those whom have, have given very little to go off!
Could someone please point me in the right direction/recommend a school that could help with this (most cost effective way)? I am currently in the UK.
Cheers
selfin
31st Mar 2019, 01:35
Only Canadian licences and ratings may be converted to US equivalents. In all other cases you must rely on 14 CFR 61.41 to credit foreign experience towards flight training requirements made in 14 CFR 61. See 61.31 for class ratings, 61.65 for instrument ratings, and subpart F for commercial pilot certificates. See also the meaning applied to "cross-country time" in 61.1. These regulations may be found in the electronic CFRs (https://www.ecfr.gov/).
An alien seeking a first-time standard US pilot certificate, a multi-engine rating, or an instrument rating, must undergo TSA security threat assessments and background checks. See the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov). If you convert a Canadian licence and ratings you'll avoid the hassle and expense of these steps however the checks are still done. An alien taking a course of study must be admitted under a suitable visa such as a student visa. In the latter case the choice of training provider is limited to a Part 141 flight school which holds a Student and Visitor Exchange Program certificate. See Part 141 database (https://av-info.faa.gov/PilotSchool.asp) and SEVP database (https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search). Forum rules prohibit promoting or endorsing any particular business.
If your cross-country time as interpreted in 61.1 falls substantially short then consider obtaining a Canadian licence and ratings which may be converted relatively easily to US equivalents. This route may be the more cost-effective of the two depending on your status under US immigration law and other factors. See Transport Canada's licensing for foreign pilots (https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/general-personnel-fore-1812.htm) and details of the conversion agreement (https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/baa_basa_listing) or AC 61-135A (https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1027574) (FAA) or AC 401-001 (http://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/reference-centre/advisory-circulars/ac-401-001.html) (TCCA).