UK CAA PPL to FAA PPL
 

I have a UK CAA PPL and want to fly in the US. I understand I have two options:1) Conversion to FAA (Piggyback).

2) New FAA PPL (from scratch).I intend to do IR and CPL in the US, so my understanding to get a standalone FAA PPL. I also understand that my hours in the UK will count towards my FAA PPL. Plus I can to pass written and check ride and new medical. However, my question is really related to HOURS.Since I want to get IR & CPL in the US, would be better to get first my A) Conversion (Piggyback) B) Fly PIC so my hours will count toward higher ratings and at the same time get used to flying for PPL? OrDon’t convert my UK PPL and pass FAA PPL and then higher ratings.I am not really clear about the regulations, but it seems to me that my PIC hours (Piggyback, during the time period of training for FAA PPL) should count as PIC in the US/FAA for IR and CPL?

Just get a Free FAA PPL based on your U.K. licence , then do training for CPL and IR

piggyback is not conversion, it is a certificate dependent on your foreign licence. (EASA PPL not UK CAA PPL I think you meant?) To get this one out of the way - You will need TSA for the CPL if you don't have a stand alone certificate, or you will need TSA for the stand alone certificate training so there is no difference there. You will need to get a 'piggyback' - 61.75 certificate anyway so you can log hours as PIC. That can use your EASA medical, which is validated as part of the licence issue process, but much easier/more sensible to get an FAA class 1 initial then use it as a class 3. The rules then simply allow you to do (an unrealistic minimum of) 3 hours training and if you meet all the other requirements for the check-ride entry (written test, hours,night hours,dual x-c etc) , to go for the private checkride should you wish, or continue through to cpl training. And yes, pic hours will count for Ir/CPL hours minima. First step in all this - become intimately familiar with 14CFR part 61 - it will answer most of your other questions about certificates/regulations . Start with 61.101 to 61.133 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retriev...n=14y2.0.1.1.2

ask rudestuff he will know whats best to go forward bud

What custard and ersa said

Look up 61.75 - it'll give you an FAA PPL issued on the basis of (and only valid when accompanied by) your EASA PPL/medical.

From that point, everything can be logged as PIC under FAA regs. ****Here is where the FAA is different from EASA: under the faa system if you are rated on the aircraft you can log the time as pic even if you are receiving instruction. Daft but true. Obviously this is not acceptable in Europe so you have two choices: separate logbooks FAA/EASA or just log it the EASA way. If you are staying in the states to do a cpl under part 61 you will need 250 hours Vs 200 under EASA. If you find a part 141 school you can do a cpl in 190 hours, definitely worth considering.

Thank you for the responses.custardpsc very helpful reference to 4CFR part 61, been reading it……rudestuff I certainly appreciate you pointing out the Logbooks choices and difference EASA/FAA. Cheers

rudestuff, I am guessing chicken will need a visa and thus a 141 school anyway. If not, part 61 all the way for sure, although there are more hours, they will be both cheaper and also pay as you go and flexible on timings/doing it fast if needs be. And they don't have to have EASA med to get 61.75 issued, you can use a FAA med, sensible to get a class 1 faa done asap. The verification letter will have the medical on it if valid, or just verify the ppl if no current medical.

I just have two columns in my logbook and log easa and faa separately. Best though is to log it the FAA way - meaning not just put PIC but have the instructor endorse each line as you go as they seem to require, then when totalling stuff you can claim pic for faa but there is no ambiguity that you are trying to cheat easa as it is clearly dual - if that makes sense.