Training on a/c >12.500 as a foreigner

[7B2]

Just wondering if someone has experience/problems with receiving training in the usa on an a/c >12.500 due to the new rules. I'm about to get hired with a us company but I'm not current on such an a/c, nor do I have a type rating. Any suggestions on how I can get around this?

I've heard that if you're current (3 t/o & ldgs) you can sign up (obviously this could work only for a single pilot a/c), how much of that is true and what if the a/c is a 2pilot airplane?
Thanks

P.S. I need advise on the training etc, not comments on being a foreigner.

 

[Wiggums]

Here’s the deal.

In order to train in an aircraft over 12,500# you must show proof of USC. If you are not USC then you must have a background check. The only pilots that they are doing background checks for are pilots that are either current, or previously qualified in large aircraft. These checks are called “expedited checks”. If you don’t qualify for an expedited check then cannot train in a large aircraft.

Background checks for pilots that don’t qualify for background checks are being worked on. This is how the system will go. First you get a class date or scheduled with a training provider like Flightsafety. Then you’ll go to this website, and enter in all your personal info. The DOJ will have 45 days to decided if you’re a risk or not. However, they plan on being able to do the checks in less then 10 days. The website was up for comment, and now has been taken down, hopefully so it can be setup for it’s finally implementation. You can read the FAQ from the goggle cache here.

Really the only way to get information about the progress of background checks is to call the Flight Checks office. The number is 703-414-9535. The last time I called the office was yesterday, and the person I spoke to said, “the have made quite a lot of progress, and in four weeks they hope to have more information and dates of when the checks can be done.” The people at this office are pretty good, they answer the phone on the first ring and don’t seem to mind answering my endless questions, so don’t give them a hard time.

I know current deal can be very frustrating. I’ve also got some possible job offers coming up, but I may lose out if this background check stuff doesn’t come together. I don’t think you ideas will work that well. How could you have three landings in a single pilot aircraft over 12,500#? You’d need a type rating first. The only possible way I believe is to get a type rating outside the US, however, I haven’t looked in that due to cost.

Here are some good links to check into…

NBAA – Has links to most of the DOJ documents regarding the latest rulings by the ATSB.
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/security/training/

FlightSafety – Has a pretty good explanation of who qualifies for expedited checks and who doesn’t.
http://www.flightsafety.com/securityreq/index.htm?x=09200391822

 

[7B2]

Thanks Wiggums, good to hear there's progress.
As far as the 3 t/o & ldgs deal, this was told to me by someone from flightsafety, he said you had to be current, not type rated, to qualify. So if my deals goes trough, I'm considering receiving instruction (3 t/o & ldgs) in the airplane to meet the currency requirement. Again, this can only work for a single pilot a/c.

 

[Wiggums]

Do you have any more info on that three landings deal? And if this is true why can't it be a two pilot aircraft? Couldn't you sit in the right seat during a part 91 leg and log three landings?

 

[7B2]

You've got a point there.
This is what I got from Flightsafety in 3 seperate emails from the same guy.

-If you are international,
you must be currently qualified in an a/c 12,500 pounds or greater in order to attend a training session on an a/c 12,500. A document from your current employer stating your currency is required and your name will be run through a back ground check as well.
-Just a suggestion, could you find someone local and do 3 takeoffs and landings to become qualified.
-Hopefully, you can lease an a/c locally to complete this requirement.


That's what Ive been going by so far, but I'll keep you posted as well, I just spoke to someone from the faa involved with part 142 training centers and he's gonna get back to me.

 

[Lindy]

Wouldn't performing 3 take-offs and landings in an aircraft (>12,500) be considered training? As such, you are then training on an aircraft of >12,500, which is now illegal. The logic of Flight Safety does not follow.

Wiggums -- your post is excellent regarding this topic and the most thorough I have seen to date. Thank you for providing the information to those in need.

 

[7B2]

Yes and no I guess, but I think the issue aplies to training at an approved facility like part 142 training centers, I don't think it's a problem if you lease/rent an a/c to get 3 t/o & ldgs.
Then again wiggums probably has so far the best sollution to get some time in on 91 legs.
I'll have to do some more research.
to be continued

 

[Wiggums]

Ok, this is from the interim ruling from the DOJ:

Persons subject to regulation under these provisions include individual training providers, training centers, certificated carriers, and flight schools (hereinafter collectively referred to as ``Providers''). Thus, virtually all private flight instructors located in the United States are covered by section 113 of ATSA and therefore are subject to this rule.

So is an instructor training under Part 91 deemed to be a "Provider"? If not then I guess you could legally fly an aircraft over 12,500# with an instructor in order to get three landings in order to become current. Then you could qualify for an expedited check under this rule.

Foreign nationals who are current and qualified as pilot in command, second in command, or flight engineer with respective certificates with ratings recognized by the United States for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more, or who are currently employed by U.S. air carriers as pilots on aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or more.

As far as know, all you need under Part 91 to be qualified as a SIC on any aircraft where a SIC is required is to have the appropriate rating (CMEL), and have three landings in the last 90 days. It would be interesting to see what the FAA or the DOJ thinks about this, since it pretty much goes against the intent in the interim rule.

 

[7B2]

thanks wiggums, you're giving some good info here