Tips on flying in the USA?
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,042
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From: Oxford
If you've done a BFR you've probably covered this, but make sure you understand the airspace categories and rules - they call them the same things as us but they mean radically different things.
Also, I bought a very cheap digital watch, set it to Zulu and used it for flying. It helped my brain a bit.
The bit about forced landing sites applies to the east coast where I flew but I've not been to AZ...
Tim
Also, I bought a very cheap digital watch, set it to Zulu and used it for flying. It helped my brain a bit.
The bit about forced landing sites applies to the east coast where I flew but I've not been to AZ...
Tim
Joined: Oct 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 352
From: London UK
), forest.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Earth
Thank you for all your advice! Really appreciate it. Only 2 weeks to go now.
When it comes to customs/immigration shall I just tell them it's a normal holiday or shall i specifically mention it's an hour building trip?
When it comes to customs/immigration shall I just tell them it's a normal holiday or shall i specifically mention it's an hour building trip?
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 2
From: Northampton UK
Never lie to US immigration!
Renting a plane in the US is not considered much different to renting a car. The question is extremely unlikely to come up, but if it does, answer truthfully - you are doing some touring and renting a plane to do it. Believe it or not, in the US, that's perfectly legal!
PS that didn't quite answer your question. I don't specifically mention flying and have never been asked about it in 50+ visits despite always having headset etc in my bag.
Renting a plane in the US is not considered much different to renting a car. The question is extremely unlikely to come up, but if it does, answer truthfully - you are doing some touring and renting a plane to do it. Believe it or not, in the US, that's perfectly legal!
PS that didn't quite answer your question. I don't specifically mention flying and have never been asked about it in 50+ visits despite always having headset etc in my bag.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,658
Likes: 501
From: Canada
When I worked for a flying school I checked out a couple of UK PPL's. Maybe I was unlucky but I found the level of arrogance rather annoying. Anything that was different from how one operates an aircraft in the UK always elicited a comment about how things were being done wrong. I would advise that UK PPL's flying in North America (an area that has more GA aircraft than the rest of the world combined) keep an open mind and work at learning how things are done where you will be flying.
And no your UK PPL does not make you a better pilot than an FAA PPL.
And no your UK PPL does not make you a better pilot than an FAA PPL.
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,177
Likes: 297
From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
ferny,
BPF did say "maybe I was unlucky".
However, he has a valid point. I learned to fly in the UK before moving to Canada and the flying rules and procedures are very different.
Not better or wrong, just different. For example, it took me quite a while to get used to the idea of being able to fly in an airway without talking to anyone.
So his advice is well worth listening to.
BPF did say "maybe I was unlucky".
However, he has a valid point. I learned to fly in the UK before moving to Canada and the flying rules and procedures are very different.
Not better or wrong, just different. For example, it took me quite a while to get used to the idea of being able to fly in an airway without talking to anyone.
So his advice is well worth listening to.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: CZ
another tips
Looks I might be in PHX in two weeks as well. I´ve been to Sedona, Flagstaff and Prescott already, I´ll consider going to Page as suggested by david viewing.
Anybody hare has experience visiting Pinal Air park? It´s a no go item if you drive to the gate by car (tested 3 years ago), but someone told me once you land there you can take a tour. Googling didn´t showed too much on this topics. Any other suggestion for a day trip out of Deer Valley ?
Anybody hare has experience visiting Pinal Air park? It´s a no go item if you drive to the gate by car (tested 3 years ago), but someone told me once you land there you can take a tour. Googling didn´t showed too much on this topics. Any other suggestion for a day trip out of Deer Valley ?
Life's too short for ironing
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,146
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From: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Pima Air Museum is well worth visiting.
Depending on your mode of transport, Santa Fe, NM is a lovely city, and the scenery en route is stunning, from the air.
Depending on your mode of transport, Santa Fe, NM is a lovely city, and the scenery en route is stunning, from the air.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 487
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From: Daventry UK
On the way to Santa Fe is the very large array of radio telescopes which is quite impressive. It's in a MOA but doesn't have any specific airspace restriction. Out of deference I avoided flying through the beam judging by the way they were pointing, lest my Cessna's ignition noise would come up as 'deffo aliens detected' that evening.
Santa Fe is, as said, delightful. It's also very arty - like a giant Sedona.
Talking of aliens, due S of Santa Fe by a couple of hundred miles is the bearded one's new spaceport. I've no idea if they are accepting visitors but if you claim to be checking it out while passing by in your private plane, why not? I bet you won't be the first.
Regarding Pinal, Airnav says it's restricted but gives a phone number. It also says the FBO has fuel, so that could be a good enough reason to go there.
Santa Fe is, as said, delightful. It's also very arty - like a giant Sedona.
Talking of aliens, due S of Santa Fe by a couple of hundred miles is the bearded one's new spaceport. I've no idea if they are accepting visitors but if you claim to be checking it out while passing by in your private plane, why not? I bet you won't be the first.
Regarding Pinal, Airnav says it's restricted but gives a phone number. It also says the FBO has fuel, so that could be a good enough reason to go there.
Last edited by david viewing; 7th September 2011 at 14:21.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Earth
Thank you once again to everyone who posted. I have now returned and literally had the time of my life! I only managed 30 hours but like as been mentioned already it was extremely hot, topping 42-43*c on several days.
Sweat would be pouring from me over the city anytime I was below 4000ft and even at 10-11,000ft over the mountains it was still around 12*c
I would highly recommend anyone to experience flying in the USA if they haven't already done so. It's nothing like back home. Airspace and charts are lot more easier to interpret, almost all the controllers I spoke to were friendly and helpful and the weather was perfect on all but the last day! I'd also highly recommend Chandler Air Service who are a great bunch of people and very laid back. We rented an RV for the 2 weeks from Cruise America and were able to pitch up just outside the airfield fence in a car park. Got a chance to drive to Vegas and the Hoover Dam in it as well as plenty of trips to Wal-Mart! Ended up flying to the Grand Canyon itself (although avoided the airspace restrictions).
....And managed to bug out 40 minutes in their Pitts S-2C...What a machine! By far the most amazing flying I have ever done and so far the best machine i've ever flown in (other than the 747 that took us over the pond of course
)
Sweat would be pouring from me over the city anytime I was below 4000ft and even at 10-11,000ft over the mountains it was still around 12*c
I would highly recommend anyone to experience flying in the USA if they haven't already done so. It's nothing like back home. Airspace and charts are lot more easier to interpret, almost all the controllers I spoke to were friendly and helpful and the weather was perfect on all but the last day! I'd also highly recommend Chandler Air Service who are a great bunch of people and very laid back. We rented an RV for the 2 weeks from Cruise America and were able to pitch up just outside the airfield fence in a car park. Got a chance to drive to Vegas and the Hoover Dam in it as well as plenty of trips to Wal-Mart! Ended up flying to the Grand Canyon itself (although avoided the airspace restrictions).
....And managed to bug out 40 minutes in their Pitts S-2C...What a machine! By far the most amazing flying I have ever done and so far the best machine i've ever flown in (other than the 747 that took us over the pond of course
)
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: on an island in the Mediterranean
Hello,
I need to ask something re flying in USA...
Could you fly with an EU PPL license in USA?
is there any permissions you have to get?
or if its not possible what are the requirements to fly there?
thank you
I need to ask something re flying in USA...
Could you fly with an EU PPL license in USA?
is there any permissions you have to get?
or if its not possible what are the requirements to fly there?
thank you
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam
Navygm, you need your JAR-FCL PPL validated to fly in US airspace. This is done under FAR Section 61.75 and is informally known as a "piggyback" certificate.
If you search for that number or that word here on PPRuNe you'll find plenty information. And here's the FAA page on this:
Airmen Certification - Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification
If you search for that number or that word here on PPRuNe you'll find plenty information. And here's the FAA page on this:
Airmen Certification - Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Munich, Germany
Well, don't forget the flight review though. Without that, you won't get the American licence. Also, be aware that before you get checked out to fly solo in the US, you must be confident to go through the flight review process and procedures at all time.
Worldpilot
Worldpilot
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Geneva
But does it have to be a US flight review? If your (European) license needs to be valid then surely you have to conduct your biennial flight review in accordance with whatever country issued your license has ordained as opposed to doing a FAA BFR? Quoting from 61.75:
A person who holds a foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may be issued a U.S. private pilot certificate based on the foreign pilot license without any further showing of proficiency
A person who holds a foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may be issued a U.S. private pilot certificate based on the foreign pilot license without any further showing of proficiency
Last edited by Shorrick Mk2; 23rd April 2012 at 13:50.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: London
Shorrick
You are confusing some concepts of validity and currency which are a bit confusing. I hope I use the right terminology....
In order to get a 61.75 certificate, the underlying pilot licence does need to be "valid" in the sense of "not expired" or "not withdrawn/cancelled/suspended" by the authority. On this basis you may indeed be issued an FAA pilot certificate. But now, as the holder of a valid FAA pilot certificate, you may not act as PIC unless you comply with the Part 61.56 requirements for a Flight Review. A "flight review" conducted by a non-FAA instructor or examiner does not count towards this. Conversely, the currency of your experience/ratings on the underlying licence is irrelevant. Your class ratings may lapse but as long as your licence hasn't expired, you may exercise your FAA privileges if you meet the FAA currency/flight review requirements.
brgds
421C
You are confusing some concepts of validity and currency which are a bit confusing. I hope I use the right terminology....
In order to get a 61.75 certificate, the underlying pilot licence does need to be "valid" in the sense of "not expired" or "not withdrawn/cancelled/suspended" by the authority. On this basis you may indeed be issued an FAA pilot certificate. But now, as the holder of a valid FAA pilot certificate, you may not act as PIC unless you comply with the Part 61.56 requirements for a Flight Review. A "flight review" conducted by a non-FAA instructor or examiner does not count towards this. Conversely, the currency of your experience/ratings on the underlying licence is irrelevant. Your class ratings may lapse but as long as your licence hasn't expired, you may exercise your FAA privileges if you meet the FAA currency/flight review requirements.
brgds
421C
