FAR 61.75 piggyback PPL in CoViD times

[hegemon88]

Hello Chaps (and Chapesses) ;)

I didn't think I was going to ever need a FAA licence but it turns out I may soon. I am familiar with the process in general, and at one time I was very close to filling in the UK SRG1160 to start the process. However, these are not the usual times and when I asked the Teterboro FSDO how things are being handled at present (meaning the personal visit at the FSDO required for the process), they replied they're shut until further notice and gave me a list of designated examiners to talk to.

Has anyone got any recent experience with obtaining the piggyback FAA PPL on the back of the UK or EASA licence, to share with me? I am particularly interested in the "visit the US" element, which is the trickiest for obvious reasons.


/h88

[matthew_gbr]

I'm in London. I've had two recent aborted attempts. First in March 2019, where with my FAA letter I had an appointment at the NY Garden City FSDO. Had to cancel my trip at last minute for family reasons. Then in February 2020, I got my second FAA letter. NY Garden City FSDO no longer viable, nor Teterboro. Was given a list of DPE's, one of which was happy to do the paperwork for USD 250 on my visit in April 2020. The pandemic meant that trip was cancelled. The process overall is really quick. Submitted SRG1160 and AC8060-71 on 7th September 2018, verification letter from FAA on 19th September. Then in 2020, submissions on 21st February, verification letter on 9th March. You also need to fill out IACRA. Lots of good FAA Safety Material / etc to get up to speed on as well. There are some well known European/UK DPEs (you can find with Google search), but I preferred to go NY. I also lined up a BFR on Long Island and then had planned to rent a PA28R and fly it up to Maine.

[Whopity]

The visit to a FSDO ceased some time ago and applicants must go to a DPE. As the DPE is limited to two licensing events per day and signing your paperwork counts as one event, you can expect to pay for the privilege as reported by matthew. That is not likely to change post Covid. Perhaps the easiest way is to line up a DPE, then when you get the chance to make a visit you can complete the paperwork and then arrange to see your chosen DPE on arrival. Not aware that there are any DPEs in the UK, might be worth contacting one of the FAA CFIs in the UK as they may have contacts.

[awair]

Some FSDO appointments are still going ahead, via Zoom! Don't know if this includes 61.75 issue, but I believe they will do address change and license number change. Obviously getting the Temporary Certificate is a problem this way, but they have an web/email facility, once the document is processed in Oklahoma.

On a related matter, once issued, you need to complete a Flight Review (aka Biennial) before acting as PIC, and an IPC before exercising your IFR privileges (if issued).

Having completed an IPC, remember to log your Instrument Approaches 6 in 6/12 months, so you never need another IPC. These can be conducted in an AATD, such as Redbird.

[hegemon88]

Thank you for your replies so far.
Sssooo... The process has changed slightly since I last checked it. Is the below a good summary?

CAA side - fill in an application (e.g. SRG1160) for licence verification by the issuing authority
Register at IACRA, including getting the FTN[umber]
FAA side - fill in an application (AC8060-71) for verification of a foreign licence (and issue of a Private certificate i.a.w. 61.75)
Get the verification letter from the FAA
And then a face-to-face meeting with all paperwork, but no longer at the FSDO, booking an appointment with a DPE is sufficient, correct?
If DPE happy, he will issue a Temp Cert
Then, in order to exercise PPL privileges, I need a Flight Review (so I may as well think ahead and request one from the DPE at the same meeting as two bullets above)
And in order to exercise IR privileges, do I need IFP or IPC or both? These two are getting confused in this context, and one is a theory exam, while the other is a checkride.

There are at least two DPEs in the UK.

/h88

[S-Works]

For the sake of 3hrs of flight training and a check ride you would be much better off getting a standalone certificate rather than building a house of cards on your non FAA licence........

[Booglebox]

As the DPE is limited to two licensing events per day and signing your paperwork counts as one event, you can expect to pay for the privilege as reported by matthew.
This was changed in 2018 to three per day.

And in order to exercise IR privileges, do I need IFP or IPC or both?
Just the IFP exam is required. No endorsement needed but make sure you create your FTN on IACRA first.

once issued, you need to complete ... an IPC before exercising your IFR privileges
I don't think this is the case. An IPC is only required to regain instrument currency, so if you are already instrument current, there is no need to do an IPC.

There are at least two DPEs in the UK.
Interesting.... I wonder which FSDO they report to.

[md 600 driver]

Used to be new york international office
one of them I think is based in Belgium now the other is in the uk

[hegemon88]

Used to be new york international office

Still is (https://av-info.faa.gov/FindFSDO.asp?RO=FS&DO=59)

one of them I think is based in Belgium now the other is in the uk

This (https://av-info.faa.gov/designeesearch.asp?SrchBy=Loc) shows 2 in the UK and 0 in Belgium (1 of those 2 may be operating out of LFAT from time to time, I heard - it's a Rumour Network, after all).


do I need IFP or IPC or both?
Just the IFP exam is required. No endorsement needed but make sure you create your FTN on IACRA first.

Already have the FTN :cool:

Thank you for all the replies!


/h88

[S-Works]

Used to be new york international office
one of them I think is based in Belgium now the other is in the uk

the one in the U.K. has to do his tests outside the U.K. as he does not have a U.K. or EASA licence.

[Graveney]

Can you hire aircraft with a 61.75 piggyback on an ESTA or do you need a visa?

[Dave Gittins]

Yes you can, provided you have a "BFR" and an ICAO medical.

[Russell Gulch]

Can I operate an FAA-registered aircraft within the USA with a valid 61.75 Certificate and an FAA Class 3 medical? (in a private capacity with a valid FAA BFR of course)

[selfin]

Russell Gulch, you may use a US medical certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 61.3(c)(1) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.3#p-61.3(c)(1)).

--

hegemon, "I may as well think ahead and request [a flight review] from the DPE at the same meeting as two bullets above"

The flight review is usually done in combination with a rental checkout with a flight instructor. The ground portion of the flight review can be completed remotely, either with a US flight or ground instructor or by completing appropriate self-study modules in the FAA Pilot Proficiency Program, WINGS. https://faasafety.gov/WINGS/pub/accreditedactivities/accreditedActivityViewer.aspx?aaid=%2022887

The US instrument currency requirement in 61.57(c) applies equally to an IR endorsed on a restricted (foreign-based) US pilot certificate.

--

S-Works, "the one in the U.K. has to do his tests outside the U.K. as he does not have a U.K. or EASA licence."

Why should one be required? Traditionally US examiners do not act as pilot-in-command on practical tests.

[Russell Gulch]

Russell Gulch, you may use a US medical certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 61.3(c)(1) (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.3#p-61.3(c)(1))

...

Thanks selfin :)

[VH-RME]

Does anyone know any FSDO's that are still offering 61.75 piggyback PPL's? Or is it moved all the DPE-only across the board?

[selfin]

VH-RME

Probably a bit off the beaten track but the Anchorage FSDO will do it.

[Sam Rutherford]

New Mexico as well.

[zegnaangelo]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I nominated an FDSO to do my 61.75. However it seems easier (albeit more expensive) to do this via a DPE-FPE. In that regard though, are you able to use a DPE-FPE that is not affiliated with your original FSDO you nomianted?

[ahwalk01]

You should be able to. DPEs have no regional restrictions now.

[Sam Rutherford]

+1

That's also my understanding.