International Flying

R

ralphbrynard

New Member
Just out of curiosity:

If a Private Pilot with FAA certificate traveled internationally, what would that person have to do to be able to rent and fly an aircraft (non US registered) in that country?
 
In general you will have to obtain a license (eqv certificate) or a validation from the aviation authority of the registration of the aircraft. You can always fly "N" registered aircraft, in which case you must follow both regulations of the FAA and the authority of the airspace in which you are flying.
 
As a PPL you can get a validation pretty easy, I flew on many validations of my FAA CPL. Even if you have an ATPL you are only gonna get a PPL. In Europe the validation is valid for 1 year, in South America and most places in Africa 1 to 3 months. To get a validation you only have to take the Medical. In most places you can`t get a full license unless you are a resident there (or you are employed by somebody), getting everything can take a lot longer then the the validation.

You can`t renew a validation, if you are planning to stay in a place for long time try to do the conversion....the validation is based on your FAA license (you have to carry it with you as you do in the US), you have to be FAA current this is why they don`t last long....
 
Example, New Zeland

You mail the NZ FAA copies of your Medical, pilot certificates, and some forms.

You ask for a NZ PPL day VFR 90 day certificate based on your US ratings.

99% of the time they mail you a 90 temp PPL. There may be some minor hoops you would have to jump through (fly with a NZ CFI and get his endorsement), then you can rent a NZ registered Cessna.

It's not too much trouble if you're going to be staying in a country for a few months and want to do some fun flying.


OTOH, getting a Comercial or ATP so you can work is a royal PITA and not worth the hassel.
 
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