§ 61.75 Private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by James

Federal Aviation Administration rule § 61.75 explains how a person holding a foreign pilot license at the private pilot level or higher, issued by a contracting State under the Convention on International Civil Aviation, may apply for a U.S. private pilot certificate and corresponding ratings. It specifies required documentation, including military-related records in certain cases, certificate identification fields, eligibility conditions, and English-language capability. It also details instrument rating approval standards, knowledge testing timing, and possible operating limitations for medical inability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

§ 61.75 Private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license

General application requirements

Certificate issued and conditions

Aircraft and instrument ratings

Operating privileges and limitations

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT § 61 .75 International Civil Aviation and is applying for a pilot certificate and rating, that person must present the following: (i) An official U. S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is a military pilot in the U. S. Armed Forces; (ii) An official U. S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is assigned as a military pilot in the U. S. Armed Forces for purposes other than receiving flight training; (iii) An official record that shows the person graduated from a military undergraduate pilot training school from the Armed Forces from a foreign contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation or from the U. S. Armed Forces, and received a qualification as a military pilot; and (iv) An official U. S. Armed Forces record that shows that the person passed a pilot proficiency check and instrument proficiency check in an aircraft as a military pilot in the U. S. Armed Forces. [Docket FAA–2006–26661, 74 FR 42555, Aug. 21, 2009] § 61.75 Private pilot certificate issuedon the basis of a foreign pilot license. (a) General. A person who holds a foreign pilot license at the private pilot level or higher that was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may apply for and be issued a U. S. private pilot certificate with the appropriate ratings if the foreign pilot license meets the requirements of this section. (b) Certificate issued. A U. S. private pilot certificate issued under this section must specify the person’s foreign license number and country of issuance. A person who holds a foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may be issued a U. S. private pilot certificate based on the foreign pilot license without any further showing of proficiency, provided the applicant: (1) Meets the requirements of this section; (2) Holds a foreign pilot license, atthe private pilot license level or higher, that does not contain a limitation stating that the applicant has not met all of the standards of ICAO for that license; (3) Does not hold a U. S. pilot certificate other than a U. S. student pilot certificate; (4) Holds a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter or a medical license issued by the country that issued the person’s foreign pilot license; and (5) Is able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant’s pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft. (c) Aircraft ratings issued. Aircraft ratings listed on a person’s foreign pilot license, in addition to any issued after testing under the provisions of this part, may be placed on that person’s U. S. pilot certificate for private pilot privileges only. (d) Instrument ratings issued. A person who holds an instrument rating on the foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may be issued an instrument rating on a U. S. pilot certificate provided: (1) The person’s foreign pilot license authorizes instrument privileges; (2) Within 24 months preceding the month in which the person applies for the instrument rating, the person passes the appropriate knowledge test; and (3) The person is able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant’s pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft. (e) Operating privileges and limitations. A person who receives a U. S. private pilot certificate that has been issued under the provisions of this section: (1) May act as pilot in command of a civil aircraft of the United States i

FAQs

What foreign license types qualify for a U.S. private pilot certificate under § 61.75?

A person holding a foreign pilot license at the private pilot level or higher issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may apply if the foreign license meets the section’s requirements.

What must the U.S. private pilot certificate include when issued under § 61.75?

It must specify the person’s foreign license number and country of issuance.

How can a foreign instrument rating be converted to a U.S. instrument rating?

The person must have a foreign license that authorizes instrument privileges, pass the appropriate knowledge test within 24 months before applying, and be able to read, speak, write, and understand English; medical inability may lead to operating limitations.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by James