Going to America-a-a-ah
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: London
Going to America-a-a-ah
Hi guys
I'm being relocated to Boston for work, for at least a year, maybe more.
From a regulations point of view, what would I need to do to start flying there?
I've got a UK NPPL (microlight 3-axis and group A) and about 160 hours in a combination of microlights and C152/172.
Thanks!
I'm being relocated to Boston for work, for at least a year, maybe more.
From a regulations point of view, what would I need to do to start flying there?
I've got a UK NPPL (microlight 3-axis and group A) and about 160 hours in a combination of microlights and C152/172.
Thanks!
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 683
Likes: 11
From: UK
Unfortunately 61.75 doesn't apply to an NPPL, since that is not an ICAO (i.e. internationally recognised) licence and therefore cannot be used as the basis for a piggyback FAA certificate.
Your options are probably (1) Upgrade your NPPL to an EASA PPL SEP before you go (rules changed on this recently - not as relatively straightforward as it once was) then use the 61.75 route on arrival; (2) Train for a US certificate when you get there, or; (3) Find an ultralight flight school or Club under Part 103.
Option (3) won't get you flying "Group A" in the US though.
Your options are probably (1) Upgrade your NPPL to an EASA PPL SEP before you go (rules changed on this recently - not as relatively straightforward as it once was) then use the 61.75 route on arrival; (2) Train for a US certificate when you get there, or; (3) Find an ultralight flight school or Club under Part 103.
Option (3) won't get you flying "Group A" in the US though.
Joined: Feb 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 118
From: USA
Never heard of a UK NPPL. So much to know...so little time 
:
https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...pilot-licence/
:https://www.caa.co.uk/General-aviati...pilot-licence/
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 748
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From: LFMD
By far your best bet is to find a school that will get you an FAA LSA license. If you have a visa that allows you to work you won't have a problem with that. You will almost certainly need to get TSA approval, but that's a straightforward exercise in bureaucracy.
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S Warwickshire
There could be an issue if you are working on a J visa. That only allows the training and conditions specified and you can't have an additional visa to cover the flight training.
An H1B or similar wouldn't restrict you.
Upgrading to a full PPL before you leave would allow you to get a US certificate under FAR 61.75 without any Visa conditions or TSA approval.
An H1B or similar wouldn't restrict you.
Upgrading to a full PPL before you leave would allow you to get a US certificate under FAR 61.75 without any Visa conditions or TSA approval.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Plumpton Green
Go for an FAA PPL. You will be credited with the hours with the ICAO compliant instructors who trained you for the NPPL SSEA. The FBO will sort the TSA clearance for you. They are legally obliged to screen applicants and will not apply to the TSA for clearance unless they are satisfied all is in order. It is not as if they are teaching you to fly and "the FAA have confirmed 14 CFR 61.3 permits the holder of a UK-issued sub-ICAO licence, such as the NPPL or LAPL, to operate a US (N) registered aircraft within the UK."
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: London
Go for an FAA PPL. You will be credited with the hours with the ICAO compliant instructors who trained you for the NPPL SSEA. The FBO will sort the TSA clearance for you. They are legally obliged to screen applicants and will not apply to the TSA for clearance unless they are satisfied all is in order. It is not as if they are teaching you to fly and "the FAA have confirmed 14 CFR 61.3 permits the holder of a UK-issued sub-ICAO licence, such as the NPPL or LAPL, to operate a US (N) registered aircraft within the UK."
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Your 3-axis microlight hours will count for experience too.
Joined: Aug 2007
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: uk
May I ask if an EASA LAPL is of any use in obtaining a reciprocal US licence, even a Sport or Recreational Pilots License? Do you need an EASA Class 2 level medical? (I have an LAPL Medical)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 444
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From: Up There!!!
I may be proved wrong but when I applied for my piggy back licence nothing under a Full PPL, Flight Crew Licence with a class two medical would get you a Piggy Back licence. So answer is no, you need a Full PPL with class two medical.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Plumpton Green
The LAPL medical is very similar to the FAA Class 3, required for a PPL. I should know, because I have one examination and pay for two.
