Foreign Pilot License Verification
Many international students have already had earned a pilot license in their respective countries before transferring to Epic to continue their training as a commercial pilot. These students need to complete a Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification Form as required by the FAA in order to continue training at Epic. Regardless of the amount of training received outside of the U.S., students may only convert to the maximum of FAA Private Pilot. The foreign pilot license verification process can take up to 90 days, so students need to plan ahead, be proactive, and submit the proper documentation before they arrive at Epic.
Note: If you have any restrictions on your license, please let Admissions know immediately, prior to beginning the foreign pilot license verification process.
First Step for Foreign Pilot License Verification:
Submit Verification Documents to FAA
1) Include enlarged copy of Private Pilot License
2) Include enlarged copy of Medical Certificate
3) Create an account, complete form & upload documents electronically to IACRA
NOTE: If any of the documents are illegible, the FAA will stop the process and contact the student via email for resubmission of clear documents within 30 days. If the student does not respond, the request for foreign license conversion is cancelled.
Next Steps for Verification:
Confirm Verification Request with Your Civil Aviation Authority
Call your Country Civil Aviation division to make sure the request has been received and processed. If your country does not respond to FAA’s request for verification, the FAA will resend request every 30 days, on 4 times. If the verification is not completed, the request will be cancelled.
Receive Letter of Authenticity & Obtain FAA Medical Certificate
If approved, you will receive the Letter of Authenticity from the FAA that authorizes you to get your temporary certificate. You must then pass a medical examination that qualifies you to receive your FAA Medical Certificate once you arrive in the U.S.
Arrive at Epic & Complete IACRA Enrollment
- Register on IACRA using the exact name listed of the Letter of Authenticity, which should match your passport. Note: If your foreign medical is expired, or the name listed on the Letter of Authenticity does not match your passport, DO NOT use IACRA. You need to use ACRA, which is a program on the hard drive located in the examiner test room.
- Fill out all 6 steps on IACRA.
- On Step 6, “Solo” means sole occupant of aircraft, and “PIC” means solo plus all other PIC time.
Receive U.S. Pilot Certificate
You may pick up the temporary certificate at no charge at the Orlando MCO FSDO. Alternatively, you can meet with a representative at Epic to schedule an approved Designated Examiner (DE) who will come directly to Epic and create the temporary certificate. The cost for this is $150.00 USD, cash only, paid directly to the DE. Regardless of your choice, you must present the following documents:
- IACRA Enrollment
- FAA Verification Letter of Authenticity
- 2 copies of Passport
- Pilot Logbook
- 2 copies of Foreign Pilot License
- 2 copies of FAA Medical Certificate
Expiration Information
***The Letter of Authenticity is only valid for 6 months*** If you have to stay longer than 6 months, you must reapply 2 months before it expires. Many students forget this information and are unable to take their checkride because their Letter of Authenticity has expired. If it becomes necessary to reapply for the Letter of Authenticity, the same process must be repeated. However, we find that it is faster the second time.
Questions? Email Student Service
Additional Requirements for Specific Countries
Some CAAs require you to contact them to provide additional information. This is required BEFORE you send your other information and documents to IACRA. The countries that require you to contact their respective CAAs are: Australia, Cypress, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. You can access their CAAs below:
FAA Private Pilot Requirements
Note: FAA Section 61.109 lists the following Aeronautical Experience requirements for the Private Pilot License:
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least –
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes –
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least –
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
To contact the FAA Airmen Certification Information & Assistance directly for foreign pilot license verification process, students may call: +1-405-954-3261. Feel free to reach out to our Epic Admissions Team if you have any questions!
Interested in learning more about Epic Flight Academy? Contact us now! We’re here to answer any questions and help you get started!