Conversion US-PPL into PPL(A) according to JAR-FCL
A conversion of the US-PPL in a PPL(JAR-FCL) is more complicated than the other way around.
Before applying for the conversion you have to apply for a validation. The validation will be
issued by the LBA which is a state authority while the conversion will be issued by a local
authory. The necessary forms and regulations can be downloaded at www.lba.de
It is possible, that in the future some regulations may change due to the coming harmonization,
but meanwhile it is necessary to undertake a knowledge test in different categories such as
air law and human factors, BZF or first aid. Additionaly the authorities want you to show a police
clearance certificate, and at least 100 hours experience as a pilot. The hours you have got
as a student pilot will be counted as well in this case.
The conversion of the US-PPL to a PPL(JAR-FCL) requires the following:
Air law written exam.
Human factors written exam.
Medical second class according to JAR-FCL 3.
Logbook evidence of 100 hours.
BZF I/II or AZF.
First aid course.
Certificate issued by the police.
Certificate issued by the local government (ZÜP).
Certificate issued by the Driving Licence Register.
Flight Test.
Conversion PPL(A) according to JAR-FCL into US-PPL
The holder of a valid PPL(A) License according to JAR-FCL, can get a
Validation quite easely.
The necessary form is the
(AFS-760, Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating and Medical Certification).
In column 10 you have to mark the address of the FSDO (Flight Service District Office)
where the Validation should be issued.
Then you have to send the document to the following address:
FAA-Airman Certification Branch, AFS-760, P.O.B. 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73124, USA.
The application together with one copy of the ICAO-License, medicalcertificate
and passport should be sent at least 2-3 month before travelling.
The FSDO will then test especially
the applicants knowledge about the English language.
When passing this test, the applicant will get a temporary license.
The original plastic card will follow around 3 month later.
Before you get the green light for the first solo flight, you have to pass a BFR
(Biennial flight review),
which will include 1h theoretical training and 1h practical exercise with a CFI.
Usually, Flight schools and Charter companies will ask new pilots to increase the number of
training hours before flying solo. This is for a good reason, since flying
in the USA is quite different to flying in Europe.
Therefore it is recommended to complete all the training, to achieve a
Conversion of the ICAO License.
The necessary Airman Knowledge Test can be done in Germany. It saves time during the stay
in the states later on. see: The way to get US-PPL