Is a comercial pilot's licence valid worldwide?

Question

Is it the same for a helicopter licence?

Answer 1

NO NO NO.....An FAA commercial pilot's license in not valid through out the world. Most countries require conversions. If you have an FAA license you can fly to their country, but you can be employed in their country.

To fly for British Airways you need a license by the JAA.

To fly for American Airlines you need a license from the FAA.

Answer 2

The previous answers all seem to miss an important element of this answer.

A national pilots licence of any country is valid worldwide but ONLY to fly aircraft registered in the country which issued the licence, and on which the pilot is current. (There may be one or two very minor or hostile countries whose licences may not be generally recognised, but the same would also apply to that country's aircraft - such as one or two African countries with very bad safety/maintenance records.

So, although the standard of FAA licences is effectively identical to the JAA licences (and PLEASE let's not get into an argument over that one right now!!), they are NOT interchangeable.

Therefore, a JAA licence holder current on a particular JAA registered (European Union country) aircraft may fly it anywhere in the world, but he may NOT fly an identical plane registered in the USA, even in his own country!

There has been talk of universality of licencing throughout the world for many years - don't hold your breath!

Answer 3

pilottim7...'s students are wrong. You can use an FAA pilot's license to fly anywhere in the world, however, many airlines will not hire you to fly for them unless you have a license issued by their country. However, such airlines can legally hire you. So if you have an FAA pilot's license, flying for an U.S. airline, you can fly that airplane overseas. Now some airlines will hire you even if you don't have a license from their country. Two examples of this are Emirates and Cathay Pacific. Their pilots come from all over the world and they routinely hire Americans who only have FAA licenses.

So in a nutshell, it depends on the airline. If you are simply looking to go overseas and rent a small airplane then you can legally do this with a U.S. private pilot's license.

Answer 4

There are usually 2 situations:

If you have an FAA license you can fly any US registered plane anywhere in the world or any plane in the US (of course with the appropriate ratings).

If you have a foreign license you can fly any plane in that country, that country's planes in the US but not a US plane in the US.

The FAA is unique, almost every other country goes by ICAO rules.
So, if you have an ICAO license it is usually easy to convert to another country's license, but an FAA license is usually not recognized (although you may get credit for your experience) but you will probably need to take and pass all exams.

Answer 5

It is valid all over the world. Do u know there is shortage of pilots in India. Guys from Brazil, other countries are take here as pilots. So do not worry u have pilot licenese, come to india, and live like a MAHARAJA.

Answer 6

FAA will allow you to fly anywhere in the world, but as already discussed, not necessarily allow you to work in that country as a pilot. 737 Boeing/ Captain.

Answer 7

Yes, for fixed wing, rotor-wing,multi-engine and jet. However, the sport pilot license and what defines an ultra light varies from country to country.Go on line to the FAA and they will address any concerns you might have.(check with the country in question if you are unsure of your endorsements).

Answer 8

Depends If you fly a plane yes its valid world wide But its not for a helicopter

Answer 9

you could fly a US registered plane in any ICOA united states of america (lots of the Western international). in a lot of international locations you'll locate that maximum plane are US registered. In Mexico about 95% of all plane are US registered truly than Mexican registered. US registered planes are also worry-loose in Europe for an same reason in spite of the indisputable fact that the JAA is taking off to crack down on Europeans figuring out to purchase US registered planes in case you want to fly on their US certificate (lots of the international includes the US to coach because its about a million/2 of the fee of teaching contained in the united kingdom).

Answer 10

Scott... Why would anyone want to ask the Future Farmers of America (FFA) a question about pilot licenses?

I believe you meant the FAA... (Federal Aviation Administration)

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