Return To Enrollment Page

Conversion of Foreign Pilot Certificate

A “Restricted” FAA Private Pilot Certificate can be issued to students on the basis of their foreign pilot license. A person who is applying for a U.S. pilot certificate/rating on the basis of a foreign license must go through an authentication process at least 60 days before arriving at the designated FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) where the applicant expects to receive the U.S. pilot certificate. To authenticate your status and pilot license, you will need to complete the Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating and Medical certification form from the Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760 found at the following web site: http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp . The applicant must send the completed form and appropriate documents to the FAA’s Airman’s Certification Branch AFS-760, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK, 73125. AFS-760’s FAX number is (405) 954-4105. At this time, the pre-application documents cannot be sent electronically.

The Airman Certification Branch will then verify the authenticity of the applicant’s foreign pilot license and medical license with the foreign civil aviation authority and issue a verification of authenticity letter to the designated FSDO, and a copy to the applicant. The applicant must then complete the form 8710-1 and call the FSDO listed on the authenticity letter to make an appointment to come to the office with the required documents and complete the process.

This license conversion enables a foreign national pilot to rent aircraft in the U.S. or take advance flight training without having to take the FAA private pilot written and practical test. The FAA certificate will carry the notation that it was issued on the basis of your foreign pilot license and that all restrictions on your foreign license apply.