U.
S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular Subject: Issuance Process for Pilot Certificates in Accordance with the Implementation Procedures for Licensing as Part of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement Between the FAA and the Swiss FOCA Date: 4/10/24 AC No: 61-144 Initiated by: AFS-800 Change:
This advisory circular (AC) provides the procedures for conversion of a Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) Part-Flight Crew License (CH Part-FCL) pilot license to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate. This AC also contains information on whom to contact and where to find the process to convert an FAA pilot certificate to a CH Part-FCL pilot license. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
R obert Ruiz for Lawrence Fields Executive Director, Flight Standards Service
i
CONTENTS Paragraph Page
1 Purpose of This Advisory Circular (A C)1
2 Audience1
3 Where You Can Find This AC1
4 Effective Date1
5 References1
6 Background2
7 Definitions2
8 Related Reading Material6
9 Contact Information8
10 Procedure for Obtaining an FAA Pilot Certificate and/or Instrument Rating on the Basis of a Swiss FOCA CH Part-FCL Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and/or
Night Rating9
11 Procedure f or Obtaining a Swiss FOCA CH Part-FCL Pilot License, Instrument Rating, and/or Night Rating on the Basis of an FAA Pilot Certificate and/or
Instrument Rating22
12 AC Feedback Form22
1 1 PURPOSE OF THIS ADVISORY CIRCULAR (AC). This AC describes the procedures for the conversion of a Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) Part-Flight Crew License (CH Part-FCL) pilot license to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate. It also contains information on whom to contact and where to find the process for the conversion of an FAA pilot certificate to a CH Part-FCL pilot license. This AC also describes how the conversion process is different from the process for obtaining an FAA pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61, § 61.75 and for which the FAA pilot certificate is limited by the foreign pilot license. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
1.1 Effects of Guidance. This guidance is not legally binding in its own right and will not be relied upon by the FAA as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement action or other administrative penalty. Conformity with the guidance is voluntary only, and nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations. This AC uses mandatory terms, such as “must,” when the language is describing an established statutory or regulatory requirement or to reflect the provisions and/or the procedures in the Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL). Adherence to this AC provides an acceptable method by which the FAA may convert a CH Part-FCL pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate.
2 AUDIENCE. This AC is intended for persons applying to convert a CH Part-FCL license to an FAA pilot certificate and for persons requesting information on whom to contact and where to find the process to convert an FAA pilot certificate to a CH Part-FCL license.
3 WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS AC. You can find this AC on the FAA’s website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.
4 EFFECTIVE DATE. The effective date of this AC is April 10, 2024.
5 REFERENCES.
5.1 Related Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts. The CFR can be found at https://www.ecfr.gov.
• Title 14 CFR Part 61, Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors.
5.2 Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA). These documents are available at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/baa_basa_listing.
• Agreement Between the United States of America and the Government of Switzerland, dated September 26, 1996.
• Implementation Procedures for Licensing (IPL).
5.3 FOCA Requirements.
• Regulation (EU) No. 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and in Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011, (Part-FCL).
• Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to Part-FCL are published as Decision No. 2011/016/R of the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
6 BACKGROUND. The FAA and the Government of Switzerland entered into an agreement, dated September 26, 1996, titled “The Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Switzerland for Promotion of Aviation Safety,” referred to as “The Agreement.” The United States and the Government of Switzerland approved the IPL, which details the conversion of a CH Part-FCL private pilot license (PPL(A)), and night and instrument-airplane ratings (IR(A)) for single-engine piston (SEP) land airplane and multiengine piston (MEP) land airplane categories for single-pilot operations, excluding type ratings, into the applicable FAA certificate. The IPL procedures also detail and provide the technical requirements for converting an FAA pilot certificate at the private pilot certificate level with privileges for the airplane category rating and instrument rating for Single-Engine Land (SEL) airplane and Multiengine Land (MEL) airplanes for single pilot operations, excluding type ratings, into the applicable CH Part-FCL license. The IPL procedures only allow conversion at the private pilot license/certificate level regardless of whether or not the applicant holds a higher level of pilot license/certificate.
7 DEFINITIONS. The following defined terms are used throughout this AC:
7.1 Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). A subset of the United States Code of Federal Regulations that contains the FAA aviation regulations.
7.2 Acclimatization Flying. Flight training for the purpose of accustoming applicants for FAA instrument ratings and CH Part-FCL instrument ratings (IR(A)) with the specificities of the airspace in the United States and the airspace of EASA Member States, respectively.
7.3 Airplane/Aeroplane. An engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings.
7.4 Approved Training Organization (ATO). A training organization approved in accordance with Organization Requirements for Aircrew “Part-ORA” of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011.
7.5 Certificate. An FAA pilot certificate. The FAA issues pilot certificates and ratings, not licenses.
7.6 Certificate Action. FAA authority to issue orders amending, modifying, suspending, or revoking any part of a certificate issued under Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) § 44709 if the Administrator decides after conducting a reinspection, reexamination, or other investigation that safety so requires.
7.7 CH (Switzerland) Part-Flight Crew Licensing (Part-FCL) License. A valid flight crew license issued by the FOCA that complies with the requirements of Part-FCL of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011.
7.8 Class Rating.
7.8.1 With respect to a CH Part-FCL license, a valid rating attached to a pilot license. The privileges of the holder of a SEP (land) and MEP (land) class rating are to act as pilot on the class of aircraft specified in the rating as outlined in the “EASA Type Rating and Licence Endorsement List Flight Crew – Fixed Wing” published on the EASA website at https://www.easa.europa.eu/downloads/11737/en.
7.8.2 With respect to an FAA pilot certificate, a classification of aircraft within a category having similar operating characteristics as outlined in § 61.5 (e.g., SEL and MEL).
7.9 Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011. The EU Aircrew Regulations applicable in Switzerland.
7.10 Currency. For the FOCA, refers to the acceptance of an FAA pilot certificate whose holder meets the recent flight experience requirements in part 61 (Commission Delegation Regulation (EU) No. 2020/723, Section 4). The FAA does not use the term currency; its equivalent is the term “recent flight experience.”
7.11 Declared Training Organization (DTO). A training organization declared in accordance with the requirements of Part DTO of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011.
7.12 EU Part-FCL License. A valid flight crew license that complies with the requirements of Part-FCL of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011.
7.13 FAA Pilot Certificate. A valid FAA pilot certificate that complies with the appropriate requirements in part 61.
7.14 Flight Review. For the FAA, means an assessment of flying skills and aeronautical knowledge conducted by a certificated flight instructor (CFI) holding an appropriate rating on the FAA flight instructor certificate.
7.15 Flight Time Under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
7.15.1 For FAA certificate holders, flight time during which the aircraft is being operated solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).1 1 For the FAA, a person does not have to operate under IFR to operate an aircraft solely by reference to instruments in simulated IMC as long as that person complies with 14 CFR part 91, § 91.109(c).
7.15.2 For CH Part-FCL license holders, all flight time during which the aircraft is being operated under IFR.
7.16 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The rules governing the procedures for conducting flight under IMC.2 2 While a person that meets the applicable requirements of part 61 may operate under IFR during visual meteorological conditions (VMC), the rules themselves allow for flight in IMC. See paragraph 7.15 for the differences between the FAA and CH for flight time under IFR.
7.17 Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of visibility, distance from clouds, and ceiling less than the minimums specified for visual meteorological conditions, requiring operations to be conducted under IFR.
7.18 Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). With respect to § 61.57(d) and Annex 3 of the Technical Implementation Procedures– Licensing (TIP-L), an FAA aeronautical knowledge and experience check used to meet or reestablish instrument experience requirements for an FAA instrument rating. The IPC will consist of at least the areas of operation listed in § 61.57(d)(1) and be conducted by an FAA-authorized examiner, FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI), or an FAA-authorized instructor. The appropriate tasks for these areas of operation are listed in the Instrument Rating—Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) found at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/.
7.19 Instrument Rating.
7.19.1 With respect to a CH Part-FCL instrument rating, a valid rating on a CH Part-FCL license allowing for operation under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR that is restricted to single-engine or multiengine operation. In the case of a multicrew pilot license (MPL), the holder is restricted to multicrew operations.
7.19.2 With respect to an FAA instrument rating, means a valid rating on an FAA pilot certificate subject to recency of experience in aircraft category requirements, allowing for operation under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR.
7.20 Issuance. The issuance of a standalone FAA pilot certificate on the acceptance of an equivalent CH Part-FCL pilot license that, following issuance, is no longer tied to the original CH Part-FCL pilot license or the requirement to continually maintain that CH Part-FCL pilot license. It also refers to the issuance of a standalone CH Part-FCL pilot license on the acceptance of an equivalent FAA pilot certificate that, following issuance,
5 is no longer tied to the original FAA pilot certificate or the requirement to continually maintain that FAA pilot certificate after issuance.
7.21 Knowledge Test. A test on the aeronautical knowledge areas required by the FAA for the issuance of a pilot certificate, license, or rating that can be administered in written form or by a computer.
7.22 License. A CH Part-FCL license. Switzerland issues pilot licenses and ratings, not certificates (except instructor and examiner certificates).
7.23 Multiengine Piston Land (MEP (Land)). With respect to a CH Part-FCL pilot license, means those airplanes for which the holder of a CH Part-FCL MEP (land) land class rating has privileges to act as pilot.
7.24 Night Rating. A rating attached to a CH Part-FCL license with which the privileges of the private pilot license for airplanes are to be exercised in VFR conditions at night. The night rating is issued without an expiration date.
7.25 Recent Flight Experience. Used by the FAA to determine if a pilot meets the requirements to act as pilot in command (PIC). For the FOCA, recency has another meaning that is not to be confused with recent flight experience as defined here.
7.26 Single-Engine Piston Land ((SEP (Land)). With respect to a CH Part-FCL pilot license, means those airplanes for which the holder of a CH Part-FCL SEP land class rating has privileges to act as pilot.
7.27 Skill Test. A demonstration of skill for the issuance of a license or rating, including such oral examination as may be required in accordance with Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, (Part-FCL).
7.28 Technical Agent. For the United States, the FAA; and for Switzerland, the FOCA.
7.29 Theoretical Knowledge Examination. Examination of the aeronautical knowledge required by the FOCA for the issuance of a pilot license or rating that can be administered in a written, computer-based format or demonstrated orally to an examiner.
7.30 Type Rating.
7.30.1 With respect to a CH Part-FCL license, a rating attached to a pilot license. The holder of a type rating may act as PIC on the type of aircraft specified by the EASA publication titled “EASA Type Rating and Licence Endorsement List Flight Crew – Fixed Wing.”
7.30.2 With respect to an FAA pilot certificate, a rating on an FAA pilot certificate for any large aircraft (except lighter than air), turbojet powered airplane, or other aircraft specified by the FAA Administrator. The holder of a type rating may act as PIC on the type of aircraft specified in FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 5, Chapter 2, Section 19, Figure 5-88, Pilot Certificate Aircraft Type Designations–Airplane.
7.31 Valid.
7.31.1 With respect to an FAA pilot certificate or a CH Part-FCL license, that such certificate or license is not surrendered, suspended, revoked, or expired.
7.31.2 With respect to a CH Part-FCL rating, the rating’s validity period has not expired. The validity date of a rating is stated on the pilot license.
7.32 Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The rules that govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual conditions. The term “VFR” is also used in the United States to indicate the weather conditions that are equal to or greater than the minimum VFR requirements. In addition, “VFR” is used by pilots and controllers to indicate the type of flight plan.
8 RELATED READING MATERIAL. The following is a list of reference materials to supplement the information found in this AC.
8.1 FAA Resources (current editions).
8.1.1 ACs. You can find the current editions of the following publications at https://www.faa.g ov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/.
1. AC 60-28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107. This AC introduces the FAA Aviation English Language Standard (AELS) and provides guidance to applicants, airmen, training organizations, Designated Examiners, and flight and ground instructors on how to determine that an applicant for an FAA certificate or person holding an FAA certificate meets the FAA AELS.
2. AC 61-98, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check. This AC provides information for FAA-certificated pilots and FAA-authorized instructors to use in complying with the flight review required by § 61.56 and the recent flight experience requirements of § 61.57.
8.1.2 Additional FAA Online Sources.
1. FAA Form AC 8060-71, Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification. You may use the preferred method of submitting this form through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website at https://iacra.faa.gov.The form is also available at https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/foreign_license_verific ation/.
2. Pilot Certification Frequently Asked Questions. Provides certain questions and answers that stakeholders posed to the FAA: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/lic_cert.
3. Medical Certification Information. Provides stakeholders information related to FAA medical certification: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification.
4. Training and Testing Information. Provides all pilots useful training handbooks, knowledge test guides, and a listing of FAA knowledge test center locations:
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/.
5. Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO). Provides all stakeholders information regarding the FAA’s FSDO locations: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_off ices/fsdo/.
6. FAA Handbooks, Manuals, and Other Publications. You can find handbooks, manuals, and other publications at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handboo ks_manuals/.
7. Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). All pilots operating in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) are encouraged to review the information contained in the AIM. You may find a copy of the latest revision at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/pu blications/.
8.2 FOCA Documents (current editions).
1. Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018: https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/regulations/regulation-eu- 20181139.
2. Annex I to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, (Part-FCL), as amended:
https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/regulations/commission-regulation-euno-11782011.
3. Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to Part-FCL as per Decision No. 2011/016/R of the Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, as amended: https://www.easa.europa.eu/documentlibrary/acceptable-means-of-compliance-and-guidance-materials.
8 9 CONTACT INFORMATION. The following FAA and FOCA offices are responsible for administering the conversion process.
9.1 FAA Certificates. For questions pertaining to pilot certification issues for the conversion of a CH Part-FCL pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate, contact the following:
For questions involving procedures or how to accomplish any of the required steps in this process, your first point of contact should be your responsible FSDO, which can be found at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/.
For policy questions, the offices listed below may be of assistance.
International Program Division — For technical oversight and administrative coordination of the IPL. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs050/ 800 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20591 USA Tel: (202) 267-0962 Email: 9-AWA-AVS-AFS-050@faa.gov General point of contact to be copied on all FAA inquiries.
General Aviation and Commercial Division https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs800/ Tel: (202) 267-1100 Email: 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov To be contacted for airman training, testing, regulations, and policy questions.
FAA Airmen Certification Branch P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082 Toll Free: (866) 878-2498 Local Oklahoma City Area: (405) 954-3261 Email: https://registry.faa.gov/Airmenemail/AirmenEmail.aspx To be contacted for pilot certification and license verification questions.
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300 CAMI, Bldg 13 P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 Tel: (405) 954-4821 To be contacted for medical certification questions.
9 For submission of FAA Form AC 8060-71, Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification:
Preferred method: https://iacra.faa.gov By mail:
For U.S. Postal Service regular and Priority Mail:
Federal Aviation Administration Airmen Certification Branch P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082 For commercial services that cannot deliver to a P.O. Box:
Federal Aviation Administration Airmen Certification Branch 6425 South Denning Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6937
9.2 CH Part-FCL Licenses. For questions pertaining to the conversion of an FAA pilot certificate to a CH Part-FCL pilot license, contact the following:
FOCA — For pilot training, regulations, policy, pilot certification and verification, pilot testing, and medical certification questions:
Federal Office of Civil Aviation Section Legal and International Affaires LERI Papiermühlestrasse 172 3063 Ittigen Switzerland Tel: +41 58 463 54 56 https://www.bazl.admin.ch/bazl/en/home/personal/flugausbildung/pilot.html 10 PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING AN FAA PILOT CERTIFICATE AND/OR
INSTRUMENT RATING ON THE BASIS OF A SWISS FOCA CH PART-FCL PILOT LICENSE, INSTRUMENT RATING, AND/OR NIGHT RATING. A person holding a valid CH Part-FCL pilot license and who has complied with the applicable IPL provisions is eligible for an FAA pilot certificate. This section details how a pilot licensed by the FOCA in accordance with EU Part-FCL at the private pilot level or higher in the airplane category and with or without an instrument-airplane rating and/or night rating, excluding type ratings, may qualify to be certificated in accordance with part 61 as an FAA private pilot with airplane category and/or instrument-airplane rating, subject to the terms of the IPL.
10.1 Applicability and Conditions.
10.1.1 These procedures are available to the holders of a CH Part-FCL pilot license or higher-level license, including night rating and/or instrument rating, with single-pilot SEP land airplane and/or for single-pilot MEP land airplane class ratings, excluding type ratings. Lower-level pilot licenses similar to a sport pilot or a recreational pilot certificate are not eligible for this conversion. Ratings such as the touring motor glider (TMG) and seaplane ratings are not eligible for this conversion.
10.1.2 Aircraft type ratings cannot be converted from one system to the other. If a pilot holds a CH Part-FCL type rating for which an endorsement is required according to part 61, the privileges of the type rating will not be issued in accordance with this IPL.
10.1.3 Validations issued by the FOCA on the basis of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/723 (also known as rendering valid) are not eligible for issuance of an FAA pilot certificate under the IPL procedures.
10.1.4 The CH Part-FCL pilot license and/or associated ratings must be valid prior to initiating this process. Expired ratings may not be issued under any circumstances. The FAA will reference the Verification of Authenticity Letter and the CH Part-FCL pilot license at the time of application for this purpose.
10.1.5 If a person receives flight training outside of the United States from an EASA Part-FCL flight instructor, under § 61.41(a)(2), that person may credit the training toward the requirements of an FAA private pilot certificate or rating.
10.1.6 An applicant may apply for both an FAA private pilot certificate and instrument-airplane rating at the same time.
10.1.7 An FAA pilot certificate that has been surrendered, suspended, or revoked will not be reinstated through this IPL process.
10.2 License and Certification Considerations.
10.2.1 The CH Part-FCL pilot license and/or associated ratings must be valid prior to initiating the conversion process under the IPL procedures.
10.2.2 A person must not hold at any time more than one EASA Part-FCL license per category of aircraft.
10.2.3 The FAA, upon issuing an FAA pilot certificate on the basis of a CH Part-FCL pilot license in accordance with these procedures, shall not require the surrender of that CH Part-FCL pilot license.
10.2.4 A person who is exercising the privileges of an FAA pilot certificate is required to meet the FAA flight review and recent flight experience requirements of part 61 to exercise the privileges of that FAA pilot certificate.