I'll admit i didnt do any research... but how does it work when pilots from other countries come to the states and want to fly/rent here? And how about the other way around?

 

Do your research before you actually attempt this, but here's what I remember. It depends on the counties involved...

US and Canadian pilots can use their PPL in either country, but it is up to you to make sure you know the regulatory differences. No paperwork required IIRC.

You can get a special-issue US PPL license based on possession of British or Australian PPL (and probably certain other countries too). I think you have to take the PPL written and do some paperwork.

For a US IR, commercial, or ATP, you have to meet the aeronuatical experience requirements, and take the written and checkride. If you hold foriegn licenses, most or all of your aeronuatical experience requirements should already be met so it should just be a matter of checkride prep.

 

If you want to fly a US registered plane, you need a US license. If you're a PPL, it;s just paperwork, but it takes a little while (~2-3 months).

Airmen Certification: Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License, Rating, or Medical Certification

 

To clarify, foriegn pilots operating foriegn aircraft into the US only need to meet ICAO standards and the requirements of their home country, they do not need US licenses.

Also about canadian licenses, I think senior skipper is correct...you need a US license to fly a US airplane. But a US private pilot can fly a US plane into Canada and vice versa. But the conversion process between canadian and US licenses is very easy...there is a custom written test covering only regulatory differences, and no checkride is required for ANY license conversion (unlike ICAO).

 

I understand that a Canadian pilot can fly a U.S. registered airplane between points in Canada, and that a U.S. pilot can fly a Canadian registered airplane betwen points in the U.S.

Is it legal for a U.S. pilot to fly a Canadian registered airplane from a U. S. airport to a Canadian airport? If not, does the operation become illegal upon penetrating Canadian airspace, or only upon landing?

Joe

 

Good question. I think it would be illegal at first glance. The safe answer would be to get your license converted.

 

§ 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.

(a) Pilot certificate. A person may not act as pilot in command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of U.S. registry, unless that person—
(1) Has a valid pilot certificate or special purpose pilot authorization issued under this part in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization. However, when the aircraft is operated within a foreign country, a current pilot license issued by the country in which the aircraft is operated may be used; and some other stuff like picture ID that doesn't affect the answer.

(b) Required pilot certificate for operating a foreign-registered aircraft. A person may not act as pilot in command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of foreign registry within the United States, unless that person's pilot certificate:
(1) Is valid and in that person's physical possession, or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate; and
(2) Has been issued under this part, or has been issued or validated by the country in which the aircraft is registered.


Sounds like you would have to operate inside the appropriate airspace.