FAA PPL to LAPL

[Gillespie Field]

Does anyone know what would be required to convert an FAA PPL to LAPL?

Thanks in advance for any info supplied.
Cheers
GF

[Dave Gittins]

Why would you want to ? An FAA PPL is perfectly usable as an EASA PPL (which lets you do more than a LAPL .. IMC, night) without needing to leap through the hoops we have to in the USA to get an on the basis of.

[BillieBob]

An FAA PPL is perfectly usable as an EASA PPL

Not quite. The UK currently permits automatic validation of a third country PPL but this is not true of all EU states and will, in any case, cease on 8 April 2014 when the derogation expires. After that date, validation (which will not be automatic) will be valid only for one year after which it will be necessary to convert to an EASA licence.

There is currently no conversion route for a 3rd country PPL to a LAPL but to convert to an EASA PPL, you will have to:

• Pass the theoretical knowledge examinations in Air Law and Human Performance
• Pass the PPL skill test
• Fulfil the requirements for the relevant class or type rating
• Hold a Class 2 medical
• Demonstrate language proficiency
• Have completed 100 hours flight time as a pilot

If you don't or can't meet any of these requirements (e.g. the 100 hours) then you will have to pass all of the LAPL/PPL exams, undertake flight training as determined by the competent authority and pass the skill test for either the LAPL or PPL as required.

[Gillespie Field]

Thanks for the info BillieBob.

I have almost 500 hours on SEP and would prefer the LAPL if there was any hopes of a conversion route being created. What do you think, do you know if there has been any discussion about this in CAA FCL circles?

GF

[BillieBob]

I'm not aware of any move to introduce a conversion route from any 3rd country licence to the LAPL , particularly as the LAPL is sub-ICAO. You could always convert your FAA PPL to an EASA PPL and then drop back to an LAPL, although I can't see why you would want to.

The European Commission yesterday agreed to extend the derogation for the validation of licences for non-commercial purposes to 8 April 2015 and so, in the UK at least, you can continue to use your FAA PPL in UK registered aircraft.

[Gillespie Field]

Do you mean the automatic validation followed by 1 year of formal validation to take you up to 2016?