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Foreign based license

Asked by: 762 views FAA Regulations, Helicopter

As a foreign military ex-helicopter pilot with 3027 hours and ICAO-CPL for both helicopter and airplane, now a U.S. permanent resident with a PPL based on my foreign license, I'm seeking guidance for a fast and cost-effective path to obtain my CPL for helicopters. Can you clarify if my foreign flying hours are eligible, considering that most of my training occurred in the USA with the U.S. Army?

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1 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Dec 20, 2023

    See regulations 14 CFR 61.41(a) and 61.123(h).

    61.41(a)(1)(ii) allows you to credit flight training received from an Armed Forces flight instructor if you were a military pilot of a foreign contracting state to ICAO.

    61.123(h) requires that you hold at least a US Private Pilot certificate in order to apply for a Commercial Pilot certificate. It does not require that the Private Pilot certificate contain a rating for helicopters.

    You would then need to take the Commercial knowledge exam and show that you have received ground and flight training (can use your military records) outlined in 61.127(b)(3).

    You would then need to find documentation in your military records of having accomplished the required experience outlined in 61.129(c).

    You would need to fly with a U.S. instructor for enough time for him to be able to certify that you are proficient and ready for the practical test. That might be able to be accomplished in the 3 hours of prep for the practical test required by 61.129(c)(3)(iv).

    You need to find a CFI that you can work with who is knowledgeable about these regulations.

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