News Archive
REGULATIONS REVISITED
September 2010
Questions and opinions about what you can and can’t do with your N reg aircraft/FAA licence continue to abound.
- Q. I have an FAA PPL. Can I fly my G reg plane with it?
A. Yes, as long as you stay in UK airspace. - Q. The ANO says I can fly a G reg plane anywhere in the world, why can’t I fly it to France on my FAA licence?
A. Your British passport also says you are able to travel ‘without let or hindrance’, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need visas, etc!
For international flight, ICAO regulations apply. The so called ‘Chicago Convention’ states that In order to fly an aircraft internationally, the pilot’s licence must be issued by the State of Registry of the aircraft. Simply put, this is the much quoted Two out of Three rule. Of airspace, pilot certification and aircraft registry, two have to agree.
For example: G reg aircraft, UK airspace, FAA licence – OK
G reg aircraft, French airspace, FAA licence – NOT OK
So, in order to fly to France with an FAA licence, you must have an N(US) registered aircraft:
N reg aircraft, French airspace, FAA licence – OK
Infact: N reg aircraft, ANY AIRSPACE, FAA licence – OK
- Q. I have an IMC rating on my UK licence. Can I use it to fly my N – reg Cirrus?
A. No. FAA regulation 61.3 (e) states that No person may act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR flight unless that person holds an Instrument Rating.
FCC Restricted operator licence application guide
September 2009
Access electronic filing via Universal Licensing System (ULS) Online Filing at the following website http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls.
Login with your FRN and password. If you do not have your password and your have previously set a Personal Security Question (PSQ), go to website http://esupport.fcc.gov/password.htm and select Reset Password. Enter your FRN and answer the PSQ which will allow you to reset your password. If you have not set the PSQ go to web site http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm and submit a reset password form or call (877) 480-3201 for assistance.
On the My License page click the Apply for a New License link.
Choose RR ? Restricted Operator. Click Continue.
Answer the Applicant, Licensee and Employment Information pages, clicking continue to navigate through each page.
The Summary page will allow you to review and edit your application. Click Continue to Certify.
Review the certification statements and sign your application by typing you name in the appropriate box.
Submit your application. We recommend that you print a copy of the Application Confirmation page which includes the application file number.
If any application fees are due, ULS will calculate those fees. Fees for online filing MUST be received within 10 calendar days of the filing. Click Continue For Payment Options button to make selection of Pay By Credit Card or View Form 159. FCC highly recommends online electronic payment, by credit card, using our secure website.
ENGLISH PROFICIENT
Everyone should by now have their ‘English Proficient’ endorsements on their FAA licences.
Don’t forget that without it you cannot cross an international boundary.
Stand alone licences are easily endorsed – go to www.faa.gov and change your details for a paltry $2!
61.75 licences are a bit more problematic. You need to either go to the US and present yourself to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or contact either of the European based examiners –
Tom Hughston 07710 564421 or Adam House 07725 071482
Either way, you will need a current (within 6 mths) validation letter issued by the FAA verifying your foreign licence.
A common misconception is that if your UK licence has ‘English proficient’ your 61.75 will, by association, have one too.
Not the case.
Your FAA licence must have the endorsement if you want to exercise its privileges to cross an international border.
All new issue licences will automatically come with ‘English proficient’.
ARE YOU CURRENT?
August 2009
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I need a Biennial flight review (BFR)?
No person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated, by an authorised instructor.
61.56(c).
This applies to 61.75 licences (FAA licences issued upon the validity of your foreign licence) as well.
Do I need an Instrument proficiency check (IPC)?
No person may act as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums for VFR, unless within the preceding 6 calendar months, that person has performed and logged under actual or simulated instrument conditions;
At least six instruments approaches.
Holding
Intercepting and tracking of navigation systems.
61.57 (c).
If the answer to either of these questions is Yes, call us!
Transportation Security Administration.
April 2009
What exactly happens when I submit a training request to the TSA?
- Once you have set up a user account (at www.flightschoolcandidates.gov ) you need to specify your training provider. The TSA will then contact the provider to confirm that they have heard of you and that the request is valid. The process will not continue unless this confirmation is received.
- Next step is to provide a copy of your passport and to pay the fee. The TSA prefer that you scan the passport rather than fax a copy.
- They then send an email with fingerprint collection instructions. Armed with this document you need to contact Flight Safety at Farnborough (+44 1252 554500) to arrange an appointment to have your fingerprints taken. This is normally done on Mondays.
- As soon as the TSA receive the fingerprints, an email will be sent confirming training can begin.
Do I need permission for all flight training?
- You need permission for PPL/initial, instrument and multi engine training. You don’t need permission for commercial or flight instructor training. Neither do you need permission for the Biennial flight review or instrument proficiency check or any kind of recurrent training (unless it is in an aircraft weighing 12500lbs or more).
All instructors are required to be registered with the TSA.
No instruction can take place without TSA permission, including training on approved simulators.
Your examiner will check you have the email confirming permission and that the training provider listed is the same as the one who signed you off for your flight test.
English Proficient
February 2009
Most of you will be aware that there is an ICAO requirement for all licences to carry the words 'English proficient' by March 2009.
If you hold a stand alone FAA licence (by taking an FAA flight test), this is very easily obtained by setting up a user account with the FAA (www.faa.gov) and altering your details online for a cost of $2.
However, if you hold a 61.75 (based on the validity of your foreign
license), the FAA will not permit you to alter your details online.
Certain publications claim that you need to go the US for this endorsement
to be added.
THIS IS NOT TRUE!
Tom Hughston as DPE for Europe can give you this endorsement. Go to www.faaeurope.us for details.