Frequently Asked Questions

Please look at the list of questions below to see if there is an answer to your question. If there isn't, please don't hesistate to contact us!

Questions

Answers

General

Is Air America a Part 61 or Part 141 school?

Air America is a Part 61 school.

What is the difference between a Part 61 and Part 141 school?

Part 141 schools are generally associated with larger universities where the flight training counts as college credit. Because of this, the training syllabus is consistent, regardless of your experience level and prior training. The biggest advantage is that some of the minimum FAA flight training time might be lowered.

In a Part 61 environment we have the ability to change of teaching style to meet the needs of our individual students. Recognizing the learning differences in students allows us to develop a training syllabus specially created for you. This syllabus will give you full credit for all prior flight training and can be flexible to accommodate your work or class schedule

Does Air America offer student loans for flight training?

Yes. Air America is a member of the Pilot Career Foundation. They offer student loans and health coverage for individuals that want to learn to fly.

I saw that Air America is a Cessna Pilot Center (CPC). What does that mean?

The following is taken from the Cessna website:

“A Cessna Pilot Center (CPC) is a specially selected flight school that represents top-quality, professional flight training. You'd have to look long and hard to find schools this good. We know, because we did.

Each CPC has state-of-the-art training facilities incorporating the only integrated flight-training system available. CPCs also have clean, quiet study areas and classrooms, and new aircraft with strict maintenance requirements and modern components. And, each CPC carries $1 million in aviation insurance to protect you throughout your training.
Cessna Pilot Centers are associated with The Cessna Aircraft Company. We ensure that they maintain the standards that have helped Cessna remain successful for over 75 years.

We require all CPCs to excel in customer service, with well-trained, professional instructors. They're able to answer your questions and provide guidance throughout your aviation adventure, from Discovery Flight through buying your first airplane.”

What is a Discovery Flight?

If you are not sure if flying is for you we suggest taking a Discovery Flight. In this introductory flight you will experience for yourself the thrill and adventure of flight for only US $59. You'll learn how airplanes fly, conduct a preflight of a light aircraft, and actually take the controls, all under the guidance of a top-quality Air America instructor.

Do the airplane rental rates include fuel (wet) or not (dry)? Are there ever fuel surcharges?

All of our rates are include fuel (wet). Unlike most of our competitors, our prices reflect the actual cost to rent the airplane. There are no surcharges or extra fees added at the end. If fuel prices were to continue to increase we may increase our airplane rental rates but will never have hidden fees.

Are the airplanes at Air America maintained properly and who performs this maintenance?

Safety is the top priority at Air America, and to ensure that our airplanes are maintained as best as possible we employee Trans Am Aviation Services. In addition to the annual and 100-hour inspections that all flight training airplanes are required to receive, Air America also inspects each airplane every 50 hours, just to be safe. Air America is also fortunate to have a fleet that consists of mostly brand new airplanes. In fact, most of them are still covered by the Cessna factory warranty.

Why do I have to take a golf cart ride to get to the airplanes?

Air America’s dispatch office and pilot center are located in the in the Airport Storage Business Park and the airplane’s are located on the Southeast ramp which is about 5 minutes away by golf cart. When our business concept was conceived we wanted to be able to provide the lowest possible rates using the best possible airplanes. To make this possible we had to choose a location for our office that was slightly further away from our airplanes but substantially less-expensive. This is one of the biggest reasons why our rates are the best around.

What airplane certificates and ratings are offered at Air America?

We offer the training for every type of pilot certificate and rating (Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, ATP, Instrument and Multi-Engine). We also offer the following endorsements: Flight Review, Instrument Proficiency, Complex and High Performance. The only endorsements Air America does not offer at this time are tailwheel, seaplane, and high altitude.

How much does it cost to become a pilot and how long does it take?

The FAA prescribes minimum flight times required before you qualify to hold any certificate or rating. Whether the student is ready for the practical test once they meet those minimums depends a lot on the individual. Obviously, the more you often you fly (several times a week) the faster you will progress and the less you will forget between lessons. Learning to fly is fun but certainly requires commitment. Another large factor in determining the cost is choosing the type of airplane that will be used. For a personalized estimate of training costs, please contact an Air America instructor.

How long has Air America been in business? Are the flight instructors experienced?

Air America Flight Center, LCC was formed in 2004 however the owner has been in the aviation industry for most of her life. Our Chief Flight Instructor has been a pilot since 1993. Most of our flight instructors are graduates or current students of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (located next door) which is regarded as the best aviation college in the world.

I heard that Air America is involved in aerial imaging. How do I learn more about this?

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in becoming an aerial imaging pilot for Air America Flight Center. The aerial imaging industry has grown considerably during the last couple of years which has provided many pilots a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience, quality flight time and excellent pay. Due to the specialized nature of this type of flying Air America has certain requirements that must be met to be considered for employment. Of course flying skills are important but there is much more to being an aerial imaging pilot than just the ability to fly an airplane. This job requires extensive travel and extensive time away from home. In most cases you will be completely unsupervised. To overcome these challenges Air America is looking for a certain type of pilot who possesses strong organization and self-management skills along with the ability to be "quick on their feet". In many respects, this job is the exact opposite of an airline job but if you are the type of individual who loves adventure and loves exercising your privileges as a pilot-in-command, then this is the job for you.

Air America Flight Center is based in Daytona Beach, FL at the Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB) and has been in business since August 2004. Air America's original business plan did not include aerial imaging; instead we began as a flight school and airplane rental business. We were always interested in alternative methods of utilizing our airplane fleet and in early 2005 we had our first meeting with a company that owned imaging equipment but was in need of an airplane and pilot services. Since then we have modified several airplanes to this type of operations and with them performed nearly one thousand hours of aerial imaging work. We still continue to expand our flight school and airplane rental business but we strongly believe that aerial imaging represents the future of Air America Flight Center.

Being an aerial imaging pilot is unique from most other flying jobs with responsibilities far beyond the task of flying. The first unique aspect, and most likely the most difficult to adjust to, is the extensive travel and time away from home. Currently Air America is hiring pilots to begin working on October 15, 2007 for a seven month imaging contract that ends on May 15, 2008. These dates are not set and could change depending on if we experience an early winter or an early summer. For example, this past year the imaging contract was extended twice and ended almost two months later than it was originally expected to. All hired pilots are expected to work for the entire length of the imaging contract while understanding that the dates may either be extended or shortened slightly. During the contract period the pilot may not be able to go home. The second unique aspect is that all pilots are expected to fly all seven days of the week, including holidays with no vacations. The only exception would be in the case of illness or death in the family.

Although you are expected to fly every day the reality is the weather will determine if you can fly on a given day. Due to the unpredictable nature of weather it is impossible for Air America to tell you how many days you will or will not work. What we can tell you is that from our past experience it seems that weather is cyclical which means that you may fly for five consecutive days followed by three poor days. In the end, the past has shown that pilots usually fly an average of 80 hours per month and end up with a good balance of flying with plenty of rest.

The weather tolerances for determining favorable or unfavorable imagining conditions are quite liberal. The biggest enemy to imaging are clouds. There simply can not be any clouds below your imaging altitude. If the clouds are few or scattered it may be possible to work around them but if there is ground fog or a broken or overcast cloud layer below your altitude then imagining is not possible. There is no restriction for clouds above you except if there is precipitation over what you are imaging. Light precipitation is acceptable but anything more is not. The imaging altitudes vary from job to job but are normally within 3,000 to 5,000 feet AGL. Visibility is not a limiting factor assuming that it meets the basic VFR requirement of three statue miles. The only other weather concern that may prevent imaging is heavy turbulence which makes it impossible to maintain heading and altitude.

The imaging window for a given day is two and a half hours after sunrise to two and a half hours before sunset. The exact length of the imaging window varies slightly every day and changes considerably when the clocks change from standard time to daylight-savings time. Regardless, each day you will have the opportunity to fly for four to eight hours. The pilot is expected to utilize the flight window to its maximum potential. For example, if imaging is occurring in late spring the imaging window would be approximately eleven hours long and would start at 8:00am and end at 7:00pm. The pilot must use all of the available window. It would be a mistake to start at 11:00am in an attempt to fly from 11-7. Unforecast weather can move in at any time. Maximizing the imaging window is second most important behind safety.

Another important factor that may affect when your imaging occurs is ATC compliance. Sometimes the imaging flight plans may be located within an airportï¿½s airspace. If so, they may only authorize you to fly in certain areas at certain times. Of course you will have assistance from Air America in getting approval to fly in these areas but it is the pilotï¿½s job to coordinate the day to day flying schedule with ATC. Faxing maps to ATC and speaking with them on the phone prior to the day's flight may be necessary. Other jobs may be in remote locations where this is not an issue.

The actual flying and imaging is all done by a single pilot. The flying is as simple as being able to hold altitude and heading. Imagine that you are mowing the lawn with the airplane. If you make a mistake the imagining computer will identify it and you can then go back to correct only the places with errors. You will be given formal training on how to operate the imaging computer. It is located in the back of the airplane and controlled though the use of a mouse and monitor in the front of the airplane. The imaging computer contains set of hard drives that can be easily removed and shipped to a processing office after a day of imaging (approximately five hours maximum). Other pilot responsibilities are to e-mail a daily reports (PDRs), Hobbs sheets and mail fuel receipts.

Daily Schedule

The following is a daily schedule for a typical day. For this example we will assume that sunrise is at 6:30am and sunset is at 8:30pm. 6:30am - Sunrise

8:00am - Arrive at airport one hour before the imaging window opens. You should use this time to preflight the airplane, check the weather and coordinate with ATC if necessary. Then you should start the airplane, turn on the imaging computer and begin flying to the first flight plan.

9:00am - The imaging window begins two and a half hours after sunrise. The goal is to arrive at the first plan as the window opens and not to leave the airport when the window opens. Some flight plans may be several miles from your departure point and you will have to adjust accordingly.

6:00pm - The imaging window ends two and half hours before sunset. There are special circumstances when the imaging window can be extended even longer such as when a high altitude overcast layer exists that prevents any sun shadows from being cast on the ground. There are other times it may be shortened slightly due to camera underexposure. These special circumstances will be discussed in detail during training.

8:30pm - Sunset

During the imaging window the goal is to perform as much imaging as possible. You will have to stop for a fuel and lunch break approximately five hours after you takeoff. If the weather conditions are perfect then you are expected to fly a complete eight hour day which does not include the fuel and lunch break. If the weather at any time is not favorable, or if ATC does not grant approval (if required) then you are expected to be on standby through the imaging window in the case that conditions improve.

Sometimes determining if the weather conditions are favorable or unfavorable is difficult if you are in a remote area without weather reporting technology. This is also difficult if the flight plan is several miles from your departure point. Unless the conditions are obviously unfavorable the pilots are expected to attempt to fly by performing a scouting flight. You will never get in trouble for attempting to work, even if you flew around but did not perform any imaging. Weather is sometimes isolated and not widespread so there is always a chance the conditions might be poor at your departure point but favorable at your imaging point and possibly vice versa. There are some cases where it might even be necessary to file an IFR flight plan or at least get a local IFR clearance to get to the imaging area where the weather is better.

At the end of the day the airplane must be secured and put inside a secured hangar. These arrangements will be made for you by Air America. There are several camera access covers that must be installed every night. Beyond that the only other responsibility is removing and shipping any full hard drives and e-mailing a daily report to update us on your progress. Reporting is required every day regarless of flight time. How to deal with the hard drives and how to complete the daily report will all be discussed during training.

Compensation

Now that you have read about an average day of imaging, we need to discuss pay. You will receive $20.00 per Hobbs hour. This includes all ferrying time to flight plans and scouting flights even if imaging did not occur. Every day you are guaranteed a minimum of 2.5 hours of pay.

In addition, when you are outside of Volusia County, you will receive a per diem payment of $120.00 per day to cover all living expenses. With this money you will be responsible for your hotel, food and rental car. This is the best situation for the pilot because it allows them the freedom of spending their money how they choose. If multiple airplanes are in the same location and the pilots share a hotel room and rental car they will both be able to spend far less than the daily per diem. In special circumstances the pilot may be working in a town where they have friends or family. In these circumstances the pilot will make a great deal of money. Regardless of the circumstances the per diem will not change. The only exception is if it is impossible for the pilot to meet their hotel, food and rental car expenses due to an excessively priced area. Air America would research it further to verify the high prices, but we can assure you that you will never be forced to spend more than your per diem to meet your expenses. Do not forget to save your receipts for your annual income taxes.

Any expenses incurred from airplane fuel, hangar fees, and airplane maintenance will all be paid by Air America. The pilot will be given a credit card for fuel and other purchases during the contract.

More Information

Interested in getting started in aerial imaging? Please use our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!

contact our Chief Flight Instructor. The pay is great and the experience can not be matched.

Policies and Procedures

How do I get a job as a flight instructor at Air America?

Air America is always hiring qualified flight instructors. Please contact our Chief Flight Instructor and he will arrange a checkout. Once checked out you will be set up as a Independent Contractor which means you will have the right to use our airplanes to provide flight instruction.

How do I get reimbursed for fuel I purchased while on a cross-country?

Since our airplane rental rates include fuel (wet) we will reimburse you if you have to purchase fuel while away on a trip. Simply bring us a copy of your fuel receipt and we will take the amount (up to $2.60 per gallon) directly off your rental invoice. You will not have to wait for a reimbursement check.

Does Air America allow after-hours flying and/or overnight flights?

Yes. Air America airplanes are available to our flight instructors, students and renters 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Does Air America allow their airplanes to go to the Bahamas?

Yes. For more information on the procedure please click here.

Is it possible to check out the airplane’s logbooks to review them?

Yes. You may review them but they can not leave our office. We encourage all pilots to be familiar with the maintenance logbooks for the airplanes that they are renting.

I am a flight instructor. Is it necessary for my student to receive a pre-solo check and/or a progress (stage) check?

Pre-solo checks by the Chief Flight Instructor, the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor or a designee are mandatory. Progress (stage) checks prior to a practical test are not required but are extremely encouraged. We believe that it is helpful for the student to get comfortable flying with someone other than their instructor prior to the practical test. Plus, this new perspective might be helpful in discovering an area where the student is deficient. Our goal is not only for the student to pass the practical test but it is also to give them as much knowledge and experience as possible during their time training with Air America.

I am a flight instructor. Do I have to charge the amounts for instruction that Air America advertises?

No, you may charge whatever you like. If you are instructing a friend you can offer your instruction for free or if you feel your instruction deserves more money than you can charge whatever amount you feel is appropriate. Air America’s only concern is that we receive $8.00 for every hour of dual given (flight time and/or ground time). For example, if you offer your instruction for free we would charge your student $8.00 per hour for Single Engine and $7.00 per hour for Multi-Engine. If you charge your student $28.00 per hour, we would collect $28.00 from your student but pay you $20.00 for SE.

What does it mean to be a designated flight instructor (designee)?

All flight instructor checkouts, pre-solo checks and progress (stage) checks are to be performed by either the Chief Flight Instructor or the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor. If both are even too busy to perform this they can designate certain flight instructors to stand in for them. Designated flight instructors represent the most experienced flight instructors that Air America has.

TSA / Foreign Pilot Training

I would like take flying lessons and/or time-build at Air America but I am not a U.S. citizen. Is this possible?

Yes, but certain conditions must be first met. To receive flight training in the U.S. you will need a green card or student visa (F-1). You can not receive flight training if you only have a visitor status visa (B-1 or B-2). Next, you will need to register with the TSA. You can do this by completing the TSA Alien Flight Candidate Registration Form). The TSA will then perform a background check on you and determine whether you will be allowed to receive the flight training. For more information on the complete TSA registration process please click here.

If you wish to time-build you can do this with a visitor status visa (B-1 or B-2), a student visa (F-1) or a green card, however you will be required to convert your foreign license into a FAA license before you can begin flying solo. Registration with the TSA will not be required. For more information on this entire process please click here.

I do not have a visa, can Air America issue one to me?

No, Air America can not issue visas at this time to alien students at this time but is planning on becoming able to in the future. Most of our students received their student visas (F-1) from a local university such as Embry-Riddle. For more information about obtaining a student visa go to the VisaPro website.

To receive flight training in the U.S. you will need a green card or student visa (F-1). To time-build in the U.S. or to convert a foreign license into a FAA license you will need a greed card, a student visa (F-1) or a vistor status visa (B-1 or B-2).

I will be visiting the U.S. while on vacation, can I receive flight instruction from Air America when I am in Daytona Beach?

No, to receive flight training you must have a green card or a student visa (F-1). If you are visiting the U.S. with a visitor visa (B-1 or B-2) you can rent an Air America airplane for the purpose of time-building. To do this you will be required to convert your foreign license into a FAA license before you can begin flying solo. Registration with the TSA will not be required. For more information on this entire process please click here.

Is registration with the TSA required for every certificate and rating or only certain ones?

You must register with the TSA for your initial pilot certificate including a private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. You must also register for an instrument rating and a multi-engine rating. The commercial, flight instructor and ATP certificates do not require TSA registration.

I am not a U.S. citizen and I already applied with the TSA when I received training for my private pilot certificate. Do I need to re-register with them to begin training for my instrument (or multi-engine) training?

Yes, you must register with the TSA for every time you receive flight training for an initial pilot certificate including a private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate, an instrument rating, and a multi-engine rating?

Do flight reviews, proficiency checks or endorsements (tailwheel, complex, and high performance) require registration with the TSA if the student is not a U.S. citizen?

No, they do not.

I am a flight instructor and my student is a U.S. citizen. Do I need to comply with any TSA regulations or is that for non-U.S. citizens only?

It is the responsibility of the flight instructor to ensure that the student is truly a U.S. citizen. This must be done by checking their U.S. passport or one of the following: birth certificate, certification of birth abroad with raised seal, certificate of U.S. citizenship with raised seal, certificate of repatriation, or U.S. naturalization certificate with raised seal accompanied by a government –issued picture ID.

Once you establish that they are a U.S. citizen you must make a copy of their ID and proof of U.S. citizenship and put it in their student file (must be kept for 5 years).

Last, you must endorse their logbook with the following endorsement:

“I certify that Mr. / Mrs. [insert student’s name] has presented me a [insert type of document presented, i.e., U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport and the control or sequential number on document] establishing that [he or she] is a U.S. citizen or national in accordance with 49 CFR 1552.3(h). [Insert date and instructor’s signature and CFI number]."

In addition to verifying the citizenship of every student, all flight instructors are required to complete the Initial Flight School Security Awareness Training for Aircraft and Simulators. This must be completed within 60 days of being hired with Air America. The training consists of an internet based, interactive presentation that will give you a good understanding of TSA’s role in general aviation. It will also give you insight into being able to identify a possible security threat and how to report one. Once completed, you must print out a certificate of completion that is to be kept in your instructor file at Air America. This training must be completed annually.

There is also an Air America Flight Center Recurrent Flight School Security Awareness Training that must be completed. This training is specific to our school. Once completed, you will also be given a certificate of completion that must be kept in your instructor file at Air America. This training must also be completed annually.

I am a flight instructor and my student is a U.S. citizen. He/she has already had their logbooks endorsed from a previous flight instructor saying that they are truly a U.S. citizen. Do I need to re-verify this or can I use the old endorsement?

You must re-verify the student’s citizenship, write a new endorsement in their logbook, and get a new copy of their ID and put it in their student file. For more information about which ID can be used to verify U.S. citizenship, and for a copy of the endorsement, please read the above answer.

What is the complete process for a non U.S. citizen to register with the TSA so they can begin flight training in the U.S. (assuming they are green card or proper visa holders)?

The student must first register with the TSA. This can be done by going to the TSA website and completing the TSA Alien Flight Candidate Registration Form. After registering they will be given a username and password via e-mail. After receiving the e-mail, the student must log back into the website and submit the following:

Full name, gender, current address and five year address history, date and country of birth, and citizenship information.
TSA identification number.
Passport and Visa information – Foreign applicants are required to have a passport.
Training details – Basic information including the name of the school, type of aircraft, and pilot certificate or rating sought.
There will be a $130 application processing fee on the TSA website which must be paid by credit card.

At this point the TSA will conduct a background check on the student. If approved, the student and Air America will be notified via e-mail. The next step will be for the student to be fingerprinted. A fingerprinting form is available by calling the American Association of Airport Executives at 703-797-2550. The applicant takes the form to a local law enforcement office for fingerprinting. For a list of locations click here. Air America recommends using the Sanford, FL location at the Delta Connection Academy 407-430-4100. The office completing the prints then sends the form back to the TSA to the address listed on the form. Instructions for fingerprinting can be found here.

Once the fingerprints are submitted the student can come to Air America to begin flight training. On the first day of training the instructor will take the student’s photo and sent it to the TSA. This is done by uploading it to the TSA Web site.

Final approval for the student’s flight training may not come for some time, however once the student’s photo is sent to the TSA the flight training can begin. If, at any time, the TSA determines is a security threat, the school or instructor will be notified, and training is stopped immediately.

My student is a non U.S. citizen. He/she has completed the TSA Alien Flight Candidate Registration Form on the TSA website. Can we begin the flight training?

No you may not. Flight training can not begin until the registration is complete, including submitting fingerprints and the student’s photograph. Please read the above answer for the complete process.

My student is a non U.S. citizen. He/she has completed the entire TSA registration process and was approved to begin flight training, however we never began the instruction and now some time had passed. Is it ok to begin the flight training?

It depends on how much time has passed. The flight training must begin within 180 days of approval or the candidate must resubmit application and pay the $130 application fee. New fingerprints will not be required.

I am having a problem or question with the TSA website. Where can I get assistance?

Yes, call 703-542-1222 on Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am to 4:30pm or e-mail them at AFSP.help@dhs.gov.

I am a flight instructor. My foreign student logged several hours of flight time in a foreign country before coming to the U.S. Can this flight time be counted towards meeting the FAA minimum flight time requirements?

Yes it can. Flight time is flight time as long as it was properly logged and endorsed if necessary.

Shouldn’t the TSA be more concerned about large commercial or corporate airplanes and not the small general aviation planes like what Air America uses?

No. Air America has access to the property of a large, international airport. Although it would seem unlikely that a terrorist would use a general aviation airplane in any attacks, they could use our side of the airport as their entry point to the airport to hijack a much larger airplane. By training everyone to be able to spot strange behavior, possible security threats and/or terrorist activity, could be stopped, even if it didn’t involve an Air America airplane. Remember, it is our responsibility to assist TSA in protecting the Daytona Beach International Airport.

Additionally, all the terrorist pilots involved in 911 began their training by flying in small general aviation airplanes in schools similar to Air America. By following the guidelines that the TSA has established will ensure that Air America does not provide flight training to any terrorists.

I am a flight instructor. My foreign student has a non-FAA pilot license (like a JAA) and wants to rent an airplane from Air America for time-building. What should I do and do they need to register with the TSA?

This process begins by verifying the authenticity of their foreign license. The student must first complete the FAA’s Verification of Authenticity Form and then fax it to 405-954-9922 or mail it to:

Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082

At this point the FAA will verify the validity and currency of their foreign license. Once this has been completed (which can take up to one month) the FAA will send a Verification Letter back to the student. The student then needs to get the following things accomplished:

Receive a FAA medical examination (at lease a third class). Click here for local AME information
Receive a flight review endorsement along with a checkout in the airplane they wish to time build in. (Note – Most countries consider night time as being IFR so most foreign private pilots have zero or little night experience. Under their new FAA license they will be legal to fly at night so it is highly encouraged all instructors give adequate night training)

Once these are completed you can schedule an interview with a FAA Designated Examiner (Air America recommends Bob Raskey). During the interview, the FAA Designated Examiner will have the opportunity to meet the foreign pilot face-to-face and will review their information. If everything is complete and accurate the new FAA license will be processed. A practical test is not required. For this interview the foreign pilot must provide the following to the FAA Designated Examiner:

$50.00 cash
Completed 8710 (You can not use IACRA for these conversions)
Two photocopies of the foreign student’s passport, foreign pilot license, foreign medical certificate and FAA medical certificate
Logbook

The new FAA pilot certificate will look the same as it does for a U.S. citizen however it will have their foreign (not local) address printed on it and will say that it is based on their foreign license. This means that they are required to carry both copies with them when they fly in the U.S. to be legal.

This process is only to be used to convert a foreign private pilot certificate to a FAA private pilot certificate. If there are addition foreign ratings or certificates to convert please perform the following:

Multi-Engine Rating – Same process as mentioned above. It will require a flight review endorsement and checkout. No practical test will be administered by the FAA Designated Examiner.
Instrument Rating – Same process as the private pilot certificate conversion except a written test will be administered by the FAA Designated Examiner. This is a different written test than the computerized one that we take in the U.S.
Commercial/Flight Instructor Certificate – Same process as the private pilot certificate conversion except a practical test will be administered by the FAA Designated Examiner.

If the foreign pilot does not have any additional ratings or certificates to convert but wishes to receive training for them in the U.S. to add them to their FAA pilot certificate they must follow the TSA guidelines and register with them.

For a basic license conversion the TSA does not have to be notified because the foreign student is not receiving flight training. They are only receiving a flight review endorsement and an airplane rental checkout and neither of these require TSA registration.

For more information on the entire conversion process please click here.

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