Foreign Glider Pilot Licensing in the United States
Important information from the SSA:
6 August 2002


Non-US glider pilots may still receive reciprocal privileges in the
United States. However, the necessary steps for receiving these
documents has changed as a result of the attacks of September 11th.
New security protocols are in place and the processing system has been
changed to include direct verification of home country privileges as
well as submitting the name of the pilot to law enforcement for
verification of security status.

The general process may take up to 60 days however the SSA has worked
closely with the FAA in an attempt to process applications for glider
pilots as quickly as possible. By following these steps it is possible
that we can assist you to receive confirmation of your documents in a
much shorter timeframe.

Step #1

Complete the application and send it immediately to the FAA address
listed by mail or fax.

Step #2

Advise the SSA by fax (+1 505-392-8154) or e-mail that
you have made application and the dates of your visit. Be sure to
include information how you can be contacted. The preferred method is
e-mail.

Step #3

If your license is issued by your government be sure to send FAA and
SSA information about where to contact your government agency. Again e-
mail and fax are preferred systems.

If your license is issued by your aeroclub then immediately send SSA
information about who in the aeroclub is responsible for licensing and
information about how to contact the office.

Step #4

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the SSA at any
time. You may send us a fax, an e-mail or call by phone. Our job is to
help you receive the proper documents so that you may come to enjoy
our soaring in the United States.

Step #5

Come to the U.S. and fly gliders in the best soaring in the world.

SSA Contact Information:
E-mail
Fax +1 505-392-8154
Telephone +1 505-392-1177

Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical
Certification
(information from the Federal Aviation Administration)
Effective July 23, 2002, persons applying for a certificate issued on
the basis of a foreign license under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 61,
Section 61.75, using a pilot certificate issued under 61.75 to apply
for a commercial pilot certificate under the provisions of 14 CFR Part
61, Section 61.123 (h), or applying for an airline transport pilot
certificate issued under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 61, Section
61.153 (d) (3), must have the validity and currency of the foreign
license and medical certificate or endorsement verified by the Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) that issued those certificates, before making
application for an FAA certificate.

The applicant may submit a legible, hand-written or typewritten letter
with specific information and certain required documents or the
applicant may submit the required information using an optional form
developed by the Airmen Certification Branch. Note this is an
optional form, not an official one, and the applicant chooses whether
to use the form or a letter.

The applicant sends the completed form or letter with appropriate
documents to the Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760, P.O. Box 25082,
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082 or faxes the form or letter and documents
to (405) 954-4105. At this time, the pre-application documents cannot
be sent electronically.

The information submitted to the Airmen Certification Branch by the
applicant must include the following information and documentation:
a. The name of the person.
b. The permanent home address of record of the person. If the person
wishes to have the verification of authenticity letter issued by the
Airmen Certification Branch delivered to a temporary mailing address,
that applicant shall indicate his or her desires on a separate
statement attached to the pre-application form or letter.
c. The country of issuance of the person's foreign pilot license.
d. The location of the FAA Flight Standards District Office where the
person intends to make application for his or her U.S. pilot
certificate. (The applicant will only be able to obtain the U.S.
certificate after authentication from the FSDO he or she specifies.)
A listing of FSDO locations and telephone numbers are available from
our Airmen Related Information menu.
e. A statement that his or her foreign pilot license is not under an
order of suspension or revocation or make the statement on the
Verification of Authenticity form.
f. A legible copy of all pages of the foreign pilot license.
g. A legible English transcription of the foreign pilot license, if
the license is not in English.
h. A legible copy of the foreign medical license/endorsement, as
appropriate.
i. A legible photocopy of a driver's license or passport or other
picture identification.
When verification is received from the CAA, you will receive written
notification that a copy has been forwarded to the Flight Standards
District Office (FSDO) you designated in your request. The
verification is valid for 60 days. You may make application for a U.S.
pilot certificate at the designated FSDO during that 60-day period.
Mailing Address: FAA
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
PO Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
FAX number: (405) 954-4105

http://www.ssa.org/sport/foreignpilot.asp