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Part 61 training abroad, TSA clearance

Asked by: 5922 views , ,
FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

My question pertains to obtaining TSA clearance for flight training conducted outside the USA towards an FAA certificate under Part 61. Here are the facts:

The student is a non-US Citizen, and has no Visa at this time.

There is an FAA AME available, so obtaining a medical is possible.

The student owns the airplane. 

The instructor is an FAA ATP CFII.

The student's home country does not issue pilot certificates (and there are no flight schools, just one American CFI).

Does the student need TSA clearance to receive and log instruction towards a PPC under Part 61?

Is it possible to obtain TSA clearance without a visa and/or traveling to the US? 

Does the student need TSA clearance before getting a medical/student pilot certificate?

The student will travel to the US eventually for a checkride, but we are trying to figure out if training can be done before then.

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4 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Jun 06, 2014

    The FAA has no regulations concerning this. Your question would need to be directed to TSA. Try http://www.tsa.gov

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  2. Nibake on Jun 06, 2014

    Another question would be – can the CFII give instruction in the foreign country? Some countries will recognize US pilot’s certificates but not instructor certificates.

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  3. Shih-Cheng Chang on Jun 12, 2014

    We have similar situation in Taiwan(I am not sure if you live in Taiwan too). TSA clearance will be need before he fly to US to do flight training…So…if you just provide ground/flight training, even log hrs….TSA will not care about that. But if you need to get FAA PPL in US, it means you need to do checkride in US…and it means…FAA CFI need to endorse you for checkride and the instructor need to verify if you had TSA approve. It is CFI’s responsibility to do ID check.
    So…back to your question, you can do whatever you want to do outside the USA. TSA don’t care that….but you will need TSA approve before any flight training in US. It means…before you checkride, you will need TSA approve.

    Hope this help you.

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  4. Shih-Cheng Chang on Jun 12, 2014

    Can FAA CFI teach student outside the US? It is local law….nothing related to FAA. For ex. in Taiwan, you need to get CAA approve before you teach…and how yo get CAA instructor? mmmm…..that is a good question and some people is working on this…..we will see.

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