Transfer and validation of a foreign pilot license
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), FAVT (Federal Air Transport Agency – Rosaviatsiya)
>> EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency)
How do you transfer or validate your pilot license obtained abroad or in a non-EU country, for instance in the United States in accordance with FAA legislation or in the Russian Federation in accordance with the FAVT, to a European license in compliance with the requirements of EASA legislation Part-FCL and Part MED?
There are 2 options under European legislation:
Transfer and validation of a foreign pilot license
Conversion
The first option is the transfer or more often used word conversion of your foreign license to a European license, when the authority will issue you a new pilot license according to the European EASA legislation (FCL) after meeting the given conditions. The basic prerequisite for the conversion of a foreign pilot license into a European one is the necessity to prove permanent residence in the Czech Republic. This condition does not apply in the case of a transfer of a pilot license issued under FAA legislation, where the EU has an agreement with the USA on the recognition of qualifications.
Validation
The second option is the validation or recognition of the validity of your foreign license for flying in Europe. In this case, you prove yourself with your foreign license and at the same time the issued confirmation of its recognition – validation for flying in Europe. Validation is primarily intended for foreigners without permanent residence in the Czech Republic. Validation can be used by foreigners who want to fly in the Czech Republic (EU) for e.g. time-building, competitions,…. Validation is always issued for 1 year.
Conditions for the conversion (transfer) of license FAA into FCL (EASA)
- Valid for licenses only: PPL(A) including NIGHT qualification; IR(A) qualification; class rating on single-pilot operation SEP, MEP.
- Medical Certificate – The applicant must hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with European legislation (Part-MED) prior to the issuance of a Czech pilot’s license. The country of issuance of the pilot license listed in the medical certificate must be the Czech Republic.
- English – Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the English language at least at ICAO level 4.
- Pilot logbook – The applicant submits a pilot logbook, which must show the total flights, including the flights relevant to the issue of the relevant license, qualification, authorization or certificate.
- Original documents – During the transfer process of the license, the applicant must prove his identity with an original ID and submit the originals of all documents either when submitting the application, on the day of the theory test or when taking over the validation.
- Administrative procedure – The applicant fills out the ZLP-F-1682-1 license transfer request form and documents all the attachments listed in part C of the form. The application, including attachments, is submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or to the e-mail address podatelna@caa.cz.
- Demonstration of skills
| License | Total flight | Training course | Theory examination | Skill test |
| PPL | – | not required | yes – oral test* | yes* |
| PPL/CPL IR | < 50 hours | not required | yes – written test** | yes** |
| PPL/CPL IR | > 50 hours | not required | yes – oral test** | yes** |
| *PPL skill test – Applicant must successfully complete the skill flight tests for the issuance of the relevant pilot license, type and/or class ratings, or instrument rating. Before starting 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 – Applicant must pass skill flight tests. Before starting the skill test, the pilot must demonstrate to the examiner theoretical knowledge of the subject of aviation law, flight planning and monitoring and instrument flight rules (IFR) communication within the scope of the knowledge of the holder of the instrument qualification. If the IFR flight time is less than 50 hours, the applicant must pass a theory test on the listed subjects at the CAA. |
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Conditions for the conversion (transfer) of licenses obtained outside the EU
- Permanent residence in the Czech Republic or EU, except for FAA-issued license holders. Proof of permanent residence in the Czech Republic/EU is not required for FAA license holders. See above for FAA license transfer conditions.
- Medical Certificate – The applicant must hold a medical certificate issued in accordance with European legislation (Part-MED) prior to the issuance of a Czech pilot’s license. The country of issuance of the pilot license listed in the medical certificate must be the Czech Republic.
- English – Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the English language at least at ICAO level 4.
- Pilot logbook – The applicant submits a pilot logbook, which must show the total flights, including the flights relevant to the issue of the relevant license, qualification, authorization or certificate.
- Original documents – During the transfer process of the license, the applicant must prove his identity with an original ID and submit the originals of all documents either when submitting the application, on the day of the theory test or when taking over the validation.
- Administrative procedure – The applicant fills out the ZLP-F-1682-1 license transfer request form and documents all the attachments listed in part C of the form. The application, including attachments, is submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or to the e-mail address podatelna@caa.cz.
- Demonstration of theoretical knowledge
| License | Total flight | Training course | Theory examination | Skills examination* |
| PPL | < 100 hours | yes – shortened | yes | yes |
| PPL | > 100 hours | not required | yes -from the subjects: Aviation Law Human Performance |
yes |
| PPL/CPL IR | < 50 hours | yes – shortened | yes -from the subjects: Aviation Law Meteorology Flight planning |
yes |
| PPL/CPL IR | > 50 hours | not required | yes -from the subjects: Aviation Law Meteorology Flight planning |
yes |
| CPL | – | yes – shortened | yes | yes |
| ATPL | valid TR | Not required | yes | yes |
| *Skills test – Applicants must successfully pass the flight skills exams for the issue of the relevant Czech pilot license, type or class qualifications, or instrument rating. | ||||
Conditions for the validation of licenses obtained outside the EU
- General: The pilot resides or is settled in the Czech Republic; or a pilot who does not have a residence or is not established in any state on the territory of the Union, flies or intends to fly for an operator whose main place of business is in the Czech Republic or the aircraft on which they fly or intend to fly is registered in the register of the Czech Republic.
- English – Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the English language at least at ICAO level 4.
- Pilot logbook – The applicant submits a pilot logbook, which must show the total flights, including the flights relevant to the issue of the relevant license, qualification, authorization or certificate.
- Original documents – During the transfer process of the license, the applicant must prove his identity with an original ID and submit the originals of all documents either when submitting the application or when taking over the validation.
- Administrative procedure – The applicant fills out the ZLP-F-1682-1 license transfer request form and documents all the attachments listed in part C of the form. The application, including attachments, is submitted in person during office hours or sent by post or to the e-mail address podatelna@caa.cz.
- Validity period – Validation is issued for the first time with a maximum validity period of 1 year. Its validity may be extended for another year.
- License types and validation conditions
| License | Medical | Skills | Theory examination | Skill test |
| CPL/ATPL | Class 1 | EU 2020/723 | yes* | yes* |
| PPL with IR | Class 2 | TPIC > 100 hours instrument flying | yes** | yes** |
| PPL | Class 2 | TPIC > 100 hours | yes*** | yes*** |
| *Skills test – Applicants must pass the requirements for the extension of validity for the type or class qualification corresponding to the authorization according to the given license in the form of a skill test. 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 instrument qualification and type or class qualification corresponding to the authorization according to the given license. Demonstrate knowledge of aviation law, meteorology, flight performance 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 law and human performance to the examiner during the skill test. |
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Source: CAA – ZLP – 168
Enhancing the qualifications of pilots with foreign pilot licenses
Pilots with a pilot license issued outside the EU can also enhance their skills in the Czech Republic or in another EU country. If they fulfill all the requirements under European legislation for the commencement of training, they can begin training at any pilot training school.
Upon completion of the training, they must pass the prescribed examinations at the CAA and, if successful, the authority will issue them with a certificate in respect of the appropriate qualification. However, they will not enter this qualification into their pilot license because they are not authorized to make entries in pilot licenses issued in another state. It is then up to the student to contact the state in which his/her pilot license was issued and to request the recognition of the newly acquired qualification and its entry into his/her pilot license.
Enhancing qualifications from PPL to CPL
This applies to pilots who hold a PPL (A) license obtained outside the EU and would like to go on to have a career as a professional pilot in the Czech Republic and who have already obtained a CPL (A) license including IR (A) and other necessary qualifications in compliance with EASA standards.
According to the CAA, if the applicant completes the entire CPL training (theory course, theory examination, practical training, and skills test) in the Czech Republic, he/she will be issued an EASA CPL (A) license. If the pilot only intends to conduct dual training flights with an instructor, then he/she does not even need to validate his/her existing license issued abroad. All newly acquired qualifications and type ratings will be entered in the CPL issued in the Czech Republic in accordance with the EASA.
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