While my experience with yachts that bring their own helicopter is sorely lacking, I believe you clear into the country however a boat does and then you are good to go. The TSA #%^! applies if you are training to add a skill set to your licence. There some regs covering the operation of foreign aircraft in the US. The pilot must have a license from the country of registration and be able the speak English. There are equipment requirements for IFR flight. The main thing I would say is become familiar with the airspace around your port of call. Key West comes to mind as a place where the Class C or D airspace includes the harbor.

Hi,

I'm planning to go to the US for a self sponsored A320 type rating with Pan Am in Miami. I have a current and valid B1/B2 Visa with Multiple Entries Allowed and an expiry of October 2014. And I have been approved by TSA before for ab initio training but that was back in 2011. Do I need to get TSA approved again or just fly to the US with my passport? I'm really confused, pls help:confused:

Ramjet555

If you are a non-US citizen training in Canada at a PART 142 Certificated school, you WILL still need a TSA clearance.

Canada is not a gold mine for FAA examiners who can do your CFI renewal. I suspect you'll still have to head south of the border for that. Again, that TSA clearance will be needed.

Alwayswannafly

Yes. Each training event requires a TSA clearance. They want to know the 5Ws regarding the training.


Willie

Im scheduled for training in the US on the 6th of June.
Just paid on the TSA page, and are awaiting approval to get the fingers scanned.
A couple of questions:

- How long does it normally take before you can get the approval to do the scanning? Paid on the 16th May.
- Sim center says I can do the scanning when I arrive in the US. Have 3 days of ground school, and they claim that it only takes 4 days to get approval to train after the scan.
I have the option to do the scan in Europe before I leave. Probably on the 28-29th May. Does anybody know if it will take longer than the normal 4 days if you do this in Europe than what the Sim center claims it will take in the US??

It going to be tight in any case.:rolleyes:

Depends on the backlog of cases, usually a couple of weeks from payment to fingerprints to approval. Most schools in the US will take you to the local PD on arrival, it could save some time doing it in advance, but most places know how to charge.

Alex.

For time building you only need to convert your ICAO certificate to an FAA certificate. This is largely a paper work issue, followed by a Flight Review with a Flight Instructor. Since training for a Certificate or Rating is not taking place, you are not required to get TSA clearance.

Good luck! And if you need to do some cheap time building I'm offering a summer special through my company. $55/hr (dry) for a 100hr block in a 172. If you want more info you can pm me here or email: [email protected]