FAA Licences in EU?
 

Hello,

I am european but I will come to live in the USA in a few years. For the moment i'm here, so to not waste time I wonder if it is possible to start my FAA training in Europe?

I know that for theory exams I will have to study in Europe and come to the USA for the exams. Well, I'll go through the theory when I will go to visit my GF in California.

Now my question is for practice, I will pass a European PPL and convert to FAA in the USA it's fast.
But for the rest how is it going? I know there are a some FAA instructors in Europe, but I can not find any examiners.

Can I fly with an FAA instructor in Europe and take my exam in the USA with an examiner when I visit my girlfriend?
To have counted hours in the USA, I have to fly on N planes in Europe?

I ask this question because I could not stay more than 2 months for the moment in the USA with my work.

Thanks guys! ;)

You can do the training anywhere, the instructor for the required dual training must be an FAA CFI ( who might be a Euro local who happens to hold FAA instructor certs).

You may be able to take checkrides overseas if you can find an FAA designated examiner. There may be a few on US military bases. I suspect it would be easier to do the checkride in the US, but get a few hours of preparatory flight training in the local airspace where you intend to to take the checkride, with a CFI who is familiar with the examiner in question. Most US schools have relationships with examiners.

For the written tests (which are more practical, and less theoretical in the US) you may also be able to take them overseas but it might only be available on a US military base. I would contact a few local schools to see of they know of any way to take FAA written tests.

Thank you.

For the theory it is possible because I have a French friend who passed the exams in Las Vegas this year.

But for practice, I do not really know.

I must have the minimums required to pass each exam is that?

I’m thinking it’s a waste of money to start in Europe.
There is one (1!) examiner out of the UK and he charges an arm and a leg and your first new born.
Start with the theory yes.
Absolutely.
Lots of good websites and programs you can use.
Be ready for the written exam when you get to the USA.
Do the rest here.

Thanks! So it's not possible to take flight exams in the US for me you think? Fly in Europe and Checkride in US?

Yes you can take the written exams in the US you will need an endorsement from an FAA CFI to take them.

Yes there is a minimum passing score, 70% IIRC. Try to score in the 905 range (it's not hard).

You can study for the written tests on your own, there are study guides available.

Thank you Rickair. But I mean minimum hours for CPL and Instrumental?

You do not need any flight training at all to take the written exams.

But I think you need a PPL license to take the CPL written, and a CPL to take an ATP written. Not certain about that.

No you got that backwards.
Flying in Europe is very expensive, mainly because of very high fuel taxes and take off and landing fees.
So if you are going to the USA anyway start the theory before you go and do all of the flying, the written tests and the practical tests in the USA.

For the ATP ME you must complete the ATP CTP class which includes 10 hours of simulator time, 6 hours of which are full motion so that is "flight training." There is no requirement to hold the lower grade certificate to take the knowledge test for the next level certificate. The only requirements are that you have an instructor's endorsement (except for the ATP) and that you of an age where you would reach the minimum age for the certificate before the written test expired. So you have to be 16 to take the commercial written.

You do have to hold the next lower certificate to take the checkride for a higher grade certificate.