Flying foreign reg aircraft within the US?
 

Hi.

New member here. I've searched for an answer to this question in another forum and on the net, but come up with nothing, so I'm now turning to you.

Basically my initial question was if I could operate a UK G-reg GA airplane within the US (I know you need a CBP/TSA permission to enter the US). Someone said you needed TSA approval 10 days ahead of each flight and I wanted to check if this was correct. It seems a bit excessive to my ears as N-reg aircraft can operate freely in Europe and I was wondering if this was really the case?

If it is in fact so, can you get a blanket permission that allows you to fly anywhere within a certain window or time period?

Thanks.

Don't know about the TSA bit, but I'm pretty sure you'd also need a JAA certificate to operate a G-registered airplane.

Hi.

I have a JAA PPL.

A US liscenced pilot may operate a foreign registered aircraft within the US with no restrictions. If he wants to take it outside the US, say to Canada, then he would have to be liscenced either in Canada, or in the State (country) that the aircraft is registered in.

Joe

I sit corrected. Thanks for the info.

Thanks. Yes, this is generally the case in most countries - I can fly a N-reg in the UK with mu UK PPL, but nowhere else.

But my question was not exactly that. My question was do I need TSA/FAA/CBP PPR to fly with a foreign reg aircraft within the US from point A to B?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm going to live in the US for the next 6 months, at least. Might be longer. I can get a FAA license validated on the back of my JAA license and fly there (I've already flown in LA airspace quite a bit), no problem. However, what I can't do is own a N-reg plane as I'm not a US citizen or have a green card (I only have a work visa). And the kind of flying I want to do (fly camping, being gone for days in the wilderness), is not conducive to renting from an FBO. So if I bought a G-reg plane and shipped it over, I could fly that. But obviously, if one needs 10 days PPR beforehand and having to name every little back strip you want to land at days in advance, do tons of paperwork for each flight etc, then there's zero point in that.

Does anyone know?

I wasn't aware that you needed to be a US citizen/resident to own foreign registered aircraft here.

I don't see why TSA/CBP would have a problem once you've cleared customs initially, but we are talking about the government, so logic isn't always applied. I would check the regulations (available on the FAA website) and call/email the FSDO where you plan to be based. If there are special requirements for your case, they should be able to steer you in the right direction.

No, that would be for a N-reg aircraft. Well, there's a loophole that says that foreigner can own it through a trust. But I don't want to go through the rather expensive setup procedure, deal with Delaware and involve lawyers etc. It would prob cheaper to ferry or ship a plane over.

The other, cheaper option, is to have one of my US friends own the N-reg plane. But I feel a bit uncomfortable putting them in a situation where, if I screw up, they could potentially be liable.

But, as you say Senior Skipper, it probably isn't an issue having a G-reg in the US once you've cleared the initial border crossing. Since I can't find anything on TSA's and CBP's website about it, maybe following the rule of "anything that isn't specifically prohibited, is allowed" is the best to do.

Yeah. The owner needs to be a US citizen (includes both human beings and entities). There is an exception for certain foreign corporations (those that do not qualify as "citizens").

Adam, have you actually asked an aviation attorney what would be involved in doing it? And what the liability to friends would be in a co-ownership situation? I kinda doubt ferrying a plane over would be cheaper (why would you have to deal with Delaware?)

Sorry, not a clue about the TSA question.