Foreign pilots licence conversion
This section describes how to get your foreign private pilots licence converted to a U.S.
license. For information on how to convert I-rating and other licenses contact FAA.
Contact information is provided below.
If you have a foreign pilots licence and want to fly in the United States, you need to convert
your license into a U.S. pilots license. This process is relative simple, it can be done
at any FAA Flight Standard District Office and it takes about 30 minutes given you provide
them with all necessary information.
To convert your license, you need the following:
- a valid foreign pilots license
- a valid foreign medical certificate (see 1)
- ID (e.g. passport)
- proof of valid pilots license from your home Civil Aviation Adminstration. Can be faxed. (see 2)
- be able to speak english at an acceptable level. (see 3)
1. If your foreign medical certificate is expired you need to go to your home country and renew it. It cannot be substituted by a U.S. medical certificate.
2. The officers at FAA need proof that your license is not suspended due to illness, etc.
3. When you arrive at the FAA office, the officers will automatically get an impression of your english capabilities. They may ask you simple questions to test your capabilities.
FAA Flight Standard District Office at Hanscom Airbase
Civil Terminal 2nd floor
Telephone number: 781-274-7130
Extensive information can be found on FAA website though my
experience is that some of the information is obsolete.
- by Andreas F. Wehowsky
