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Private Pilot

Good news! According to 14 CFR 61.75, a foreign pilot who holds a private pilot license may convert that license to an FAA private pilot certificate. All aircraft ratings listed on the foreign license will also transfer. This is the only direct conversionpermitted without any additional testing. For example, a foreign-issued commercial pilot license can only be converted to an FAA private pilot certificate, not a higher certificate.

Instrument Rating

If you have the foreign equivalent of an FAA instrument rating, 14 CFR 61.75(d) states that it can be converted to an FAA instrument rating after passing the FAA knowledge test. This does not require a practical test (i.e., a checkride), and the knowledge test can be completed up to 24 months before applying for the conversion.

Commercial Pilot & Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

There is no direct conversion allowed for foreign commercial and ATP licenses. To earn one of these FAA certificates, a foreign pilot first needs to receive an FAA private pilot certificate through the conversion process, then complete the commercial or ATP certificate through traditional training. This includes completing both a knowledge test and a practical test, as well as attaining all of the required aeronautical experience.

1) Complete FAA Form 8060-71(Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification Form)

2) Make enlarged copy of Private Pilot License

3) Make enlarged copy of Medical Certificate

4) Send Form & Documents to FAA

5) Create an account with IACRA and submit there

Call your Country’s Civil Aviation Authority to make sure the request has been received and processed. If your country does not respond to the FAA’s request for verification, the FAA will resend the request every 30 days up to 4 times. If the verification is not completed, the request will be cancelled.

If approved, the student will receive the Letter of Authenticity from the FAA that authorizes them to get the temporary certificate. The student must then pass a medical examination that qualifies them to receive their FAA Medical Certificate once they arrive here in the U.S.

• Register on IACRA using the exact name listed of the Letter of Authenticity, which should match your passport. Note: If your foreign medical is expired, or the name listed on the Letter of Authenticity does not match your passport, DO NOT use IACRA. You will need to use ACRA, which is a program on the hard drive located in Epic’s examiner test room.
• Complete all 6 steps on IACRA
• On Step 6, “Solo” means Sole occupant of aircraft, and “PIC” means solo plus all other PIC time.

Students may pick up the temporary certificate at no charge at the Orlando MCO FSDO. Alternatively, students may also meet with Phyllis to schedule an approved Designated Examiner (DE) to come directly to school and create the temporary certificate ($150.00 dollar fee, cash only). Regardless of their choice, students must present the following documents:

• IACRA Enrollment
• FAA Verification Letter of Authenticity
• 2 copies of Passport
• 2 copies of Foreign Pilot License
• 2 copies of FAA Medical Certificate
• Pilot Logbook

***NOTE: The Letter of Authenticity is only valid for 6 months. If the student has to stay longer than 6 months, they must re-apply 2 months before it expires. Many students forget this information and are unable to take their checkride because their Letter of Authenticity has expired. If it becomes necessary to re-apply for the Letter of Authenticity, the same process must be repeated, however we find that it is quicker the second time around.

To contact the FAA Airmen Certification Information & Assistance directly for Verification Status, students may call: +1405-954-3261. Feel free to reach out to our Airman Flight Training Team if you have any questions!