Owning/flying N-reg w/FAA license in EU
 

Greetings,
I am an US citizen, US-based PPL pilot with ties in the Czech Republic. As I may spend more and more time in CR soon, I'm contemplating keeping a small GA plane (C152) there with N-reg for personal flying. I'm trying to get more info on possibilities, pitfalls, regs (FAA-based, regarding annuals, etc). I'm aware that I should be legal flying N-reg with my FAA license there (even IFR, perhaps), but how about the plane being permanently located there? How about my Czech PPL buddies flying it? (I assume within the CR only). All possible? Anyone has any input? TIA, Ringo.

PS: "Air America" on TV now! Gotta go!!!

Hi Ringo - give these guys a call/email as they have provided me with a similar service so that you can keep things above board. Best option especially if the aircraft will be in the EU - www.JerseyRegistry.com
Good luck

Thanks! Will definitely try that.
R

two new posters....nothing like free advertising eh?

One of them joined 4 month before you.;)

Ringo, I don't see any reason why you can't base and fly it as N registered. Flying IFR could be expensive because of Eurocontrol fees.

Your biggest challenge will be moving it to Europe.

Ringo - if you have a US passport you will not need a trust...that is for us "furriners" who cannot register an aircraft with the FAA.
You may have to pay VAT on your aircraft if you don't already own it; there are concessions for overseas immigrants who import their "personal possessions" but you need to have owned an aircraft for at least six months and the Revenue will impose conditions on you selling it after you get here. VAT rate depends on country of import and will be 20-25% of the assessed value.
Eurocontrol is only applicable to aircraft weighing over 2 tonnes (ish) so a C152 won't have to pay.
Maintenance and pilot checks are not a problem - there are lots of N reg aircraft based in Europe and qualified engineers and instructors to serve them.
The FAA allow holders of foreign licences to fly N registered aircraft in the airspace of the country that issues the licence.
Getting a C152 to Europe from the USA might be a problem - it is too small to ferry and will need to be dismantled and boxed. The costs of relocating such a "low value" aircraft will be disproportionately huge. A more valuable aircraft costs about the same to move and is, thus, "better value".
You may be better advised to buy something over here - there are N registered aircraft available on the "local" market.

True for the route charges, but in many countries you will have to pay "approach charges" for every instrument approach even for light aircraft. Here in Germany these approach charges are higher than the landing fees in some places!

FAO clivewatson
 

Join Date 21st Nov 2008 - suggestion for next christmas, MILKBOTTLE GLASSES!!!

Slap on wrist accepted - sorry. Off to Specsavers!

Clive off to spec savers ? You have not been flying the shuttle again ;)

Pace

Hi Ringo,

We had a Cirrus SR22 on N-Reg and based in Czech Republic and I never had any problems. I flew the aircraft all over Europe and Russia with an FAA Validation again with no problems. I know there will be some changes to EU Ops come this April so keep an eye on any restrictions.

Thanks to all who responded - all valuable tidbits and lots of encouragement. All aspects of the project seem relatively solvable, except perhaps the cost of shipping (might be offset if I find a reasonably-priced specimen). However, several other people outside of this forum alluded to a requirement of N-reg planes having to fly some part of the year in the US airspace. I'm not opposed to reading the FARs, but can somebody point me to the proper FAR paragraph to expedite my research? Or is it really an issue at all for non-commercial flying of N-reg?
Ringo.

No reqirement for N reg to fly in US airspace, none at all.

Under EASA regs coming into force in April with an implementation date as yet to be confirmed but not long after you will be required to hold dual licences and medicals in order to operate a non EASA aircraft in EASA territory. This means if you have an FAA PPL and IR you will also need a matching EASA one.

Only if resident in the EU. Ringo is a US citizen spendig time in the CR. Unless his residency moves to the CR, then he will not need to have EASA pilot qualifications.

Again, lots of positives! Thanks, 421c and NuName!

Are you 100% sure about that? Seems like an easy way out for current N reg owner/operators resident and flying in Europe to simply change their place of residence to circumnavigate the FLC content of the new Basic Regulation.

Chubby

Yes, it would be easy, if it was that easy to change your place of residence. Nonetheless, this is the case - residency in EASA land is the key issue. It's a small loophole, applicable to very few people - but applicable nonetheless.

Am I to understand that it would mean to get at least the US "green card"? If so, some of us know how "easy" that is.