Transfer and validation of a foreign pilot licence

FAA (USA), FAVT (Rosaviacija), SAAU (Ukraine) >> EASA

How to convert or validate your pilot license that you obtained abroad, or in a state outside the European Union (EU), e.g. in the United States of America under FAA legislation or in the Russian Federation under FAVT to a European one under EASA legislation – Part-FCL?

Conversion vs. validation of a foreign pilot licence

European legislation offers 2 options:

Conversion

The first option is to convert your foreign licence to a European licence, whereby the Authority will issue you a new pilot licence in accordance with EASA European legislation once the conditions have been met. The basic prerequisite for converting a foreign licence to a European licence is the need to prove permanent residence in the Czech Republic. This condition does not apply in the case of conversion of a pilot licence issued under FAA legislation, where the EU has an agreement with the USA on the recognition of qualifications.

Validation

The second option is to have your foreign licence recognised as valid for flying in Europe. In this case, you prove your foreign licence and the issued certificate of recognition – validation for flying in Europe. Validation is intended mainly for foreigners without permanent residence in the Czech Republic. Validation can be used by foreigners who want to fly in the Czech Republic (EU), e.g. time-building. Validation is always issued for 1 year.

Conditions for conversion of FAA licence to FCL (EASA)

Licenses - Valid only for PPL(A) including NIGHT; IR(A); single pilot class ratings SEP, MEP.
Medical fitness - The applicant must hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with European legislation (Part-MED) prior to the issue of a Czech pilot licence. The State of issue of the pilot licence specified in the medical certificate must be the Czech Republic.
English - Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of ICAO level 4 English language proficiency.
Logbook - The applicant shall submit a logbook showing the total flight, including the flight relevant to the issue of the relevant licence, rating or certificate.
Original documents - During the licence transfer process, the applicant must provide proof of identity with original identification and present original copies of all documents either at the time of application, on the day of the theory exam or at the time of validation.
Administrative Procedure - The applicant shall complete the ZLP-F-1682-1 Transfer Application Form and provide all attachments listed in Section C of the form. The application, including attachments, shall be submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or e-mail to podatelna@caa.cz or to the CAA mailbox, mailbox identifier: v8gaaz5.
Demonstration of knowledge

PPL

PPL/CPL IR

PIC flight < 50 hours

PPL/CPL IR

PIC flight > 50 hours

*PPL Skill Test – The applicant must successfully complete the flight skill test for the issue of the relevant pilot licence, type or class ratings, or instrument rating. Before commencing the skill test, the pilot must demonstrate to the examiner theoretical knowledge of the subject of aviation law and communication within the scope of knowledge of a private pilot.

** IR skill test – The applicant must have successfully passed the flight skill test. Prior to commencing the skill test, the pilot shall demonstrate to the examiner theoretical knowledge of the subject of aviation legislation, flight planning and monitoring, instrument flight rules (IFR) – communication within the scope of the holder’s knowledge of the instrument rating. If the IFR flight time is less than 50 hours, the applicant shall pass a theoretical examination in the above subjects at the CAA.

Conditions for converting (transferring) a licence obtained outside the EU

Permanent residence in the Czech Republic or EU, except for holders of a license issued by the FAA. Proof of permanent residence in the Czech Republic/EU is not required for FAA license holders. See above for conditions for transferring FAA licenses.
Medical certificate - The applicant must hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with European legislation (Part-MED) prior to the issue of a Czech pilot licence. The State of issue of the medical certificate must be the Czech Republic.
English - Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of ICAO level 4 English language proficiency.
Logbook - The applicant shall submit a logbook showing the total flight, including the flight relevant to the issue of the relevant licence, rating or certificate.
Original documents - During the licence transfer process, the applicant must provide proof of identity with original identification and present original copies of all documents either at the time of application, on the day of the theory exam or at the time of validation.
Administrative Procedure - The applicant shall complete the ZLP-F-1682-1 Transfer Application Form and provide all attachments listed in Section C of the form. The application, including attachments, shall be submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or e-mail to podatelna@caa.cz or to the CAA mailbox, mailbox identifier: v8gaaz5.
Demonstration of knowledge

PPL

PIC flight < 100 hours

PPL

PIC flight > 100 hours

PPL/CPL IR

PIC flight < 50 hours

PPL/CPL IR

PIC flight > 50 hours

CPL

ATPL

*Skill Test – The applicant must successfully complete a flight skill test for the issuance of the appropriate pilot licence, type or class ratings, or instrument rating.

Conditions for validation of a licence obtained outside the EU

General: a pilot is resident or established in the Czech Republic; or a pilot who is not resident or established in any State within the Union flies or intends to fly for an operator whose principal place of business is in the Czech Republic or the aircraft on which they fly or intend to fly is registered in the Czech Republic.
Logbook - The applicant shall submit a logbook showing the total flight, including the flight relevant to the issue of the relevant licence, rating or certificate.
Original documents - The applicant must provide proof of identity during the card transfer process with original identification and present original copies of all documents either at the time of application or upon receipt of validation.
Administrative Procedure - The applicant shall complete the ZLP-F-1682-1 Transfer Application Form and provide all attachments listed in Section C of the form. The application, including attachments, shall be submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or e-mail to podatelna@caa.cz or to the CAA mailbox, mailbox identifier: v8gaaz5.
Validation validity period - Validation is first issued with a maximum validity of 1 year. It can be extended for an additional year.
License types and validation conditions

CPL/ATPL

PPL with IR

PPL

*Skill test – Pass the skill test for the revalidation requirements for a type or class rating corresponding to the privileges of the licence. Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant parts of the operational requirements and Annex I (Part-FCL) of Regulation No 1178/2011 to the examiner during the skill test.

** IR skill test – Pass the skill test for the instrument rating and type or class rating corresponding to the privileges of the licence. Demonstrate knowledge of aviation legislation, aviation meteorological code, flight execution and planning (instrument rating) and human performance to the examiner during the skill test.

***PPL skill test – Pass the PPL skill test. Demonstrate knowledge of aviation legislation and human performance to the examiner during the skill test.

Source: CAA – ZLP – 168

Upgrading the qualifications of pilots with a foreign pilot licence

Pilots with a pilot licence issued outside the EU can also upgrade their qualifications in the Czech Republic or another EU country. If they meet all the requirements under European legislation to start training, they can start training in any Czech flight school.

Upon completion of the training, they must pass the prescribed examinations at the CAA and, if successful, the CAA will issue them with a certificate of qualification. However, it will not enter the qualification on their pilot licence as they are not allowed to enter it on a pilot licence issued in another State. It is then up to the student to contact the State of issue of his/her pilot licence and request recognition of the newly acquired qualification and entry on his/her pilot licence.

Upgrade from PPL to CPL

The pilot holds a PPL(A) licence obtained outside the EU and would like to continue his professional pilot career in the Czech Republic and obtain a CPL(A) licence including IR(A) and other necessary qualifications according to EASA standards.

According to the opinion of the CAA, if the applicant completes the entire CPL training in the Czech Republic (theoretical course, theoretical test, practical training, skill test), he will be issued an EASA CPL(A). If he will only fly dual training with an instructor, then he does not even need to validate the existing licence issued abroad. All newly acquired ratings and type tests will be entered in his CPL issued in the Czech Republic according to EASA.