German background check for PPL (A) - what do I do with the completed form??
 

Dear PPL students in Germany (or anyone that has has done their PPL in Germany)

Does anyone have any information on the required background check? It is essential to submit this when starting PPL training by law. It is strange because is a "request for a background check" but I am supposedly, requesting a background check on myself? Its a bit odd to be honest.

I have completed the "Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung" form but I am not sure if I need to send it or hand it in personally. I wrote to the office ( in German) and I have not had a reply in over two weeks.

I am not sure what to do here so any help would be greatly appreciated.*

Thanks!

Where do you live? This will determine to which Bezirksregierung you have to send it - just post it, you don't need to hand it in personally. It can take a while to be answered though.

The document is one of the weird and wonderful things you'll get used to - your suitability to hold a Pilots licence is checked every 5 years. Speed a few km/h once too often - licence gone. Drink / drive once - licence gone. Company bankrupt? Licence gone......

Five-year background check...
 

Ah. Fun stuff.

As far as I know, Germany is the only country in the EU that requires a background check/Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung.

If you google Polizei* uverlässigkeitsüberprüfung Pilot Bayern you will eventually find the right place you can mail the application to. I did it at a local office in Wiesbaden last time I needed one.

Have you recently moved to Germany? You will be checked going back at least five years. If you have not been in Germany for the last five years, you need to request a criminal records check from the local Sheriff (assuming you are American) from wherever you left. Similar from local law enforcement from wherever you were. Supply that with your form. Saves them coming back to ask for it.

I had to submit a copy of the züp with my last renewal.

I don't know if you have to have it to solo - assume so. In any case, I'd expect to have to supply a copy when you request the initial license.

Are you converting a license/certificate from somewhere else? A new pilot? Any German flight instructor should be able to help you with this.

Remember - your German license is only valid with a valid Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung. The SEP rating is good for two years at a time. The background check is good for five years, with an expiration date based on when it was issued. Even if perfectly in synchronization the züp ends a year before your third SEP period (2x3-5=1).

If you are a beginner, your flight instructor can explain everything to you about tests/etc. If you are getting an EASA certificate based on one from elsewhere it's a bit different. I had to take "just" two tests - Air Law and Human Performance Factors. I had the choice of a "flight review" that would let me fly D-registered airplanes for a short period of time or a PPL check ride for a real license. I did the later.

Good luck!

I live in Munich and training in Landshut. The problem is that it's not clear which address I have to send it to. The address on the form that I got from my flight school isn't a full address and is just the office name, the postcode and the city. Its very confusing.

My CFI gave me a link for the form that I have to complete (cannot post it due to low post count but its the "Antrag auf Durchführung einer Zuverlässigkeitsüberprüfung" with a space for 4 addresses). I ended up completing three forms because I have had so many addresses in the past 10 years (most of them not in Germany). Apparently I need to submit it with a colour copy of my passport too.


I am not converting anything only just starting PPL training. I don't expect to solo for at least another few months (I guess this is the part the police are really concerned with -* soloing). I googled "Polizei* uverlässigkeitsüberprüfung Pilot Bayern" and found a site but it doesn't state the address to send my form to. It mentions one version of the process (there seem to be many).

My CFI is reluctant to help on this but mostly because he's really busy. I just don't want to get in trouble because I am already training and I don't have this thing completed yet but perhaps I don't really need to worry until solo time.*
*

If you click on this link, you will find the documents listed. Click on the top link to download the document required. You will see it already has an address - Regierung von Oberbayern, Sachgebiet 25, Luftamt Südbayern, 80534 München. Complete it, send it off and if you've done nothing wrong, Robert is your Mother's brother....