Question reg. student w/ foreign license

[a-v-8er]

When someone with a foreign license comes here and wants to add a rating to their certificate, what are the exact steps that need to be met before the checkride for an additional rating on the US certificate issued on the basis of a foregin license?

Am I correct assuming that someone who has a US cert issued on the basis of a foregin license can fly here and be restricted by any limitations on his/her foregin license as well as the grade of US cert as long as the certificates and licenses are current and they also hold a current medical and that they can't add anything to the US cert until they meet the aeronautical experience requirements?

Then, if someone wants to add an instrument rating to a US cert based on a foregin one, is my assumption correct that you need to meet the private US areonautical exp. (incl. night, which many foregin pilots do not meet) and also a flight review? Or is the flight review not required?

I can't seem to find any references to if a flight review is required or not? I've looked over 61.75...

Any guidlines somewhere to find on these questions?

 

[topdawg]

make a call

call your local FSDO

 

[midlifeflyer]

The Western Pacific FSDO regional office has an excellent discussion at

http://www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/foreign.htm

 

[Weasil]

I have done what you are asking so I am talking from experience.

Once you have a US certificate issued on the basis of a foreign one you can add additional ratings to it. To add an instrument rating you need to meet the requirements for getting an instrument rating. You do NOT need to meet the requirements for getting a private.. they already gave you one.

If you want to remove the restrictions placed on you though you should meet the private experience requirements and then take a private pilot checkride and then you don't have any more worries. FOr example, you could file IFR at night time now but would not be able to cancel and fly VFR at night because you are restricted from flying at night.

Now, you do have to have your foreign license verified. The form is on www.faa.gov
Also, I frequently find that standardisation among FSDO's can be a problem. If you find yourself having a problem then talk to a different FSDO.