Flying in the USA with your European licence
A US pilot licence based on your European one: this is how easy it is
By Lars Holling
Flying yourself in the USA and the Bahamas: here is, step by step, what you need to revalidate your licence.
With your European private pilot licence you can also fly yourself in the USA, and without a new exam. This is made possible by a US licence that the American aviation authority, the FAA, issues on the basis of your existing licence (under 14 CFR § 61.75). We went through this process ourselves, and today we organise it for our clients together with our partner flight schools in the USA.
Step 1: Registering on the IACRA portal
Everything starts online on the FAA's IACRA portal. There you create an account, enter your personal details and start the verification of your foreign licence. You upload a copy of your licence and your medical directly on the portal.
The FAA then asks the aviation authority of your country to confirm that you actually hold the licence you stated. In Germany that is the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, in Austria Austro Control, otherwise the authority of your EU country. According to the FAA this check takes around 45 to 90 days, so plan your trip with enough lead time.
Once everything is confirmed, the so called IACRA letter (verification letter) appears in your account. It is usually valid for six months, and you should attend your appointment in the USA within that period.
Step 2: We plan your trip
As soon as the IACRA letter has arrived, or gladly before, we take over. Fly Unique books your flights, hotels and the entire trip, timed around your appointment at one of our partner flight schools in the USA. You do not have to take care of anything else and can combine the licence directly with a flying holiday.
Step 3: Theory and checkout at the flight school
After you arrive, you head to the flight school. There you meet a flight instructor (CFI) who goes through about an hour of theory with you: US airspace structure, radio procedures and the main differences from the European rules.
Then you fly together. The instructor checks you out on the aircraft you later want to charter. This flight also counts as the flight review the FAA requires before your first flight as pilot in command on the new licence. As in Germany, anyone who wants to stay current repeats this so called biennial flight review every two years. It is very similar to the training flight with an instructor for renewing your SEP class rating.
Step 4: Meeting the Designated Pilot Examiner
Finally, you meet a DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner), an examiner authorised by the FAA. The examiner reviews your documents and your licence once more, checks everything and issues you a temporary US pilot licence on the spot. With it you can start flying right away.
The final FAA licence arrives later by post as a plastic card. It is always valid together with your European licence, and you carry both documents when flying in the USA.
Important: your US address
The FAA requires a delivery address in the USA for every licence holder. Since 2025, anyone without their own physical US address must appoint a so called U.S. Agent for Service, who receives official FAA mail on your behalf and forwards it. A post office box is not enough.
Two options
- A private person
- A friend or acquaintance in the USA takes on this role.
- A professional agent
- If you have nobody there, you register with a service provider, for example valiair.com, designatedfaaagent.com or aviation-agent.com.
The FAA also sends your licence card to this address, so it is best to sort this out before your trip.
Your checklist
Bring these to your appointment at the flight school
- Passport
- It serves as photo identification for the examiner.
- IACRA letter
- The verification letter from your IACRA account, printed out.
- European licence
- Valid, at least a PPL, with current ratings.
- Medical
- Valid. Your European medical is accepted.
- English language endorsement
- Language proficiency of at least level 4, entered in your licence.
- Logbook
- Your current pilot logbook.
- US address
- Name and address of your US agent or US contact person.
Frequently asked questions
In brief
- Do I have to take an exam in the USA?
- No. The US licence under § 61.75 is issued on the basis of your existing licence, without a theory or practical exam. You only complete the checkout and the flight review with the instructor.
- How long is the US licence valid?
- It remains valid as long as your European licence is valid and you meet the requirements. If your licence number changes, however, the US licence must be applied for again.
- What about instrument flying?
- The route described here lets you fly under visual flight rules (VFR). If you hold an instrument rating, it can also be transferred with an additional theory exam. Just ask us.
- Can I fly straight away on my next visit to the USA?
- Yes. The licence remains in place. You then only need a valid biennial flight review, due every two years as in Germany, and a checkout on the charter aircraft. If your last flight review is more than 24 months ago, you simply fly it on your next trip with an instructor from one of our partner flight schools.
Converting your pilot licence is not difficult. We did it ourselves, and if it was easy for us, you will manage it just as comfortably.
Lars Holling, founder of Fly Unique
Sources
- FAA
- Verify the Authenticity of a Foreign License
- FAA Oakland FSDO
- Documents for § 61.75
- General Aviation News
- US agent requirement for pilots with a foreign address
- AIN
- Deadline extension for the US agent rule
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Your tailor-made trip: USA or USA & Bahamas
The USA on its own or combined with the Bahamas: tell us what you have in mind, and we will put your trip together around the licence.
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Your way into a US cockpit
We accompany you from the IACRA application and the trip planning to your first flight with our partner flight schools. Call us or write to us, and we will plan your trip.
Mobile: +49 172 1999835