TSA fingerprinting - in the UK?!

[helelizwil]

Hi all,

I'm desperately searching for someone who can do TSA fingerprinting in the UK ahead of my trip to AAA, San Diego in October to do my PPL.

I've tried both Flight Safety International (Farnborough) and Oxford Aviation Academy, who both told me they USED to have someone who did it but don't anymore

Don't suppose anyone knows anywhere else that might be doing it?

Much appreciated

Cheers,

Helen

[maximus610]

Try France or Germany https://secure.natacs.aero/afsp/find_location.asp

[helelizwil]

Thanks for the reply maximus610

Unfortunately I don't think either are a viable option. I'm really low on funds – with every penny going towards the PPL – and I don't think I can afford a flight/train or the time off work to go to mainland Europe!

[helelizwil]

F900 Ex - yeah I've already been to the Embassy, they took my prints for the M1 Visa. But the SEVIS security clearance is a whole different ball game and apparently they can't use the prints that the government took

It makes no sense to me but hey-ho they are the rules.

[maximus610]

Helen, the only option is US then.
Mine took couple of days till I got my TSA approval.
In this time you can prepare yourself for written test, backseat your schoolmates and listen RT phraseology on liveatc.
Make sure the school will make an appointment for fingerprint collection in the first days of your arrival.

[BackPacker]

Agree with Maximus. Do the TSA fingerprinting immediately upon arrival in the US. It's much cheaper that way (ballpark figure 40 vs. 400 euro) and if you make sure it's done electronically, it may only set you back 24 hours or so. Which can be well spent in doing the ground exams for instance.

Doing them in Europe is a very time-consuming hassle and only really useful if you are going for a type rating or something similar, where you can only start training once the TSA has finished the whole vetting process - which can take up to 30 days. But a PPL student can start training as soon as the TSA acknowledges receipt of the fingerprints. Which is normally a matter of hours if done electronically, and a day or two if done on old-fashioned paper fingerprinting cards.

[helelizwil]

Thanks for the advice maximus610 and BackPacker. Think you are probably right, was hoping to save a couple of days when I got out there, but it's going to wind up just way to expensive to get the printing done in Europe.

Already done my written exams, but sure I can find something to keep me occupied while I'm waiting for the prints to clear!

[Cobalt]

Ages ago, Flight Safety at Farnborough did perform TSA fingerprinting, they also provided facilities for the FAA theory examinations. Might be worth a trip to avoid the risk of being in the US and having to wait; but don't do the exams their - much cheaper to do them once in the blessed realm.

[irish seaplane]

I got it done in Oxford. There is another lady in the uk who can do it either. Pm me if you want their details.

Irish

[jecuk]

Flightsafety and Oxford are particularly unhelpful to non-students of theirs. My experience (and that of others I know) was you could not get an appointment for months with them - if you could even get a call back. Get it done in the US if you can.

[Ebbie 2003]

I had the same problem when getting my TSA fingerprints - in the end I got them done in the US embassy here - I understand that any consulate or embassy has the facilities.

[AlexF388]

Hi Helen,
I'm off out to Florida in November to do my PPL. Decided that its much less hassle to do fingerprints out there and budgeted for two extra days. Doing written exams there so can study for that in the meantime (done the majority of studying already and a few mock papers).

On another note, I have my M-1 Visa interview in London on Thursday would be possible to PM you regarding that? As I'm a little bit clueless to the interview process, how long it takes etc.

Regards
Alex

[S-Works]

Flightsafety and Oxford are particularly unhelpful to non-students of theirs. My experience (and that of others I know) was you could not get an appointment for months with them - if you could even get a call back. Get it done in the US if you can.

To be fair thats because it was not actually them providing the service, it was an employee who was American doing it as a sideline. The fingerprints can only be collected by an approved US Citizen. The guy at Oxford worked in IT and did it on the side, from what I understand the situation at Flight Safety was similar. I assume he has now moved on which is why you are not getting a response.

[englishal]

As I'm a little bit clueless to the interview process, how long it takes etc.

You have your appointment time at the embassy. You turn up and they call you to the desk and you hand over your docs. You then go and sit down for about 4 hrs before they call you back. The lady then says, "watcha dooing in the USA" and you tell he, and she goes "cool, you'll have your passport back in 2 days"....

[BackPacker]

You have your appointment time at the embassy. You turn up and they call you to the desk and you hand over your docs. You then go and sit down for about 4 hrs before they call you back. The lady then says, "watcha dooing in the USA" and you tell he, and she goes "cool, you'll have your passport back in 2 days"....

That's my experience too. Only in my case it took three hours instead of four. I wish I had brought a book or something, and maybe a bottle of water. And the answer to the single question that they asked me was "Cessna's".

One other thing to note: The photo you have to hand in (which becomes part of your visa) has to conform to the US size rules. Standard European passport photos are NOT accepted. When I was there almost half of the applicants were turned away because they had the wrong photo format. They were nice enough to hand out the business card of a nearby camera shop who could do the photos in the proper format though.

[OldDogNew]

Last year I managed to get TSA fingerprints done in Bedford - a very helpful lady (US citizen) who had I guess signed up with the necessary bureaucracy to be allowed to do this. IIRC I found her through a link on the TSA website. Not sure if she is still doing it. But it worked out fine and I had no problems when I got to the US (small flying club in North County of San Diego).

[Rhino25782]

Just like OldDogNew, I got mine done in Bedford while I was in the UK for my medical and my theory exams.

It worked out really well, and don't be put off by the location. It's actually a pub that's run by - I think - the lady's mother-in-law.

I also went to AAA by the way. Have fun over there!

[patowalker]

https://secure.natacs.aero/afsp/find...=1001&state=CA

[jecuk]

The woman who does it at Flightsafety Paris says on her site that she is in London Thursday 19 September.


Company: Flight Safety Intl. France
Address: 1300 Avenue de l'Europe
Aeroport Le Bourget
Le Bourget FN, 93352
Contact: Eve Humrich

Email: [email protected]

Dates: London: 19 September
Additional Notes: Please email for information to make an appointment: [email protected] I am in the office once each month. At other times, I can meet clients at CDG, Orly, or at other locations in Paris. I will be in London on Thursday, 19 September and every fortnight from then on.

[helelizwil]

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.

For anyone on the hunt for someone to do their fingerprinting in the UK - I contacted Eve Humrich and she is in London on 19th September, as well as a couple of dates in October. She was really helpful, and offers to come to you. Her fee is £100.