Hello from Texas.

I can tell you from my recent experience as a CFI and FAA Designated
Pilot Examiner that Germany recognizes the FAA pilot certificate under
ICAO, but I do not know where this is written, so you should inquire
with your country's aviation authorities as to how they interpret the
ICAO agreements.

In the US, the FAA does require a US FAA pilot certificate to fly as
PIC a US registered aircraft (N numbered) in the US (see FAR 61.3)
Get a copy of the current regs -- I use the ASA brand publication
called "FAR/AIM 2008". (You can fly a German "D" registered glider
with a FAA pilot certificate under the German interpretation of the
ICAO agreements, but that's off-topic.)

The TSA exemption for glider pilots / instructors (glider only CFI;s)
is he http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf90/302470_web.pdf

There is also a wealth of good info on the TSA requirements and this
exemption at www.aopa.org

As an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner I have given 38 Practical Tests
("checkrides") to foreign glider pilots in the last 14 months. Paul
is correct, the flying part is fun but learning the US regulations,
procedures is the book work you will need to accomplish on your own.
There are many good texts to acquire the information.

If you do not hold an "unrestricted" FAA pilot certificate (such as
airplane) or are not adding the rating to a "Restricted" FAA
certificate then you WILL need to take the appropriate glider pilot /
Airman Knowledge Test (formerly called "the written") even though you
hold a foreign license.

Those foreign pilots with "Restricted" FAA certificates wanting to add
glider to that certificate will need to go through the FAA (not TSA)
process called "Verification of Foreign License". After a couple of
rejected applications FAA clarified this in their recent Notice N
8000.364.
This is found at http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/e...spectors/8000/

Before 9/11, it was very easy for a foreign licensed pilot to quickly
obtain the FAA "Restricted" Certificate at a FAA FSDO just by filling
out a FAA Form 8710-1 Application, but now you must go through the FAA
(not TSA) License verification process first, which takes several
weeks as they contact your country's aviation authorities, to verify
that your foreign license AND MEDICAL (if required in your country) is
valid.

That's how I've worked it out with the FAA, at least with my FSDO
Inspectors, who are very cooperative.

I am located near the Davis Mountains in far west Texas, between
Carlsbad Caverns and Big Bend National Parks and I fly year-round.
Nearest airline service is to El Paso (ELP) and Midland (MAF) if you
wish to train with me at Marfa. If you are looking for the "piece of
cake / crash course", I'm not the guy you want to fly with. I am
friendly, fun and very thorough. Just ask the Germans!

Send inquries for glider training, texts to study and more to:
marfagliders@aol,com

Best regards,

Burt Compton, Master CFIG / FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa Gliders, west Texas
www.flygliders.com