A guide to converting your EASA Part‑FCL Private Pilot Licence (PPL) to a U.S. FAA Private Pilot Certificate under the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and Technical Implementation Procedures – Licensing (TIP‑L)
The U.S.–EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA), through its Annex 3 – Pilot Licensing Annex and the Technical Implementation Procedures – Licensing (TIP‑L) , enables reciprocal acceptance of private pilot licences between EASA and the FAA.
The primary FAA guidance is Advisory Circular 61‑143, which describes the procedures for converting an EU Part‑FCL pilot licence to an FAA pilot certificate.
Effective Date: The TIP‑L came into force on 18 May 2021 and applies to conversions under the BASA framework.
| Feature | BASA / TIP‑L Conversion | 14 CFR § 61.75 |
|---|---|---|
| Governing framework | FAA‑EASA Bilateral Agreement | FAA regulation (foreign licence basis) |
| Best for | EASA Part‑FCL holders seeking formal FAA certificate conversion | Pilots needing FAA privileges tied to existing foreign licence |
| Testing required | May involve testing depending on case | No further testing |
| Certificate status | Standalone FAA certificate | Foreign‑based – limited by underlying foreign licence |
| Primary reference | AC 61‑143, TIP‑L document | 14 CFR Part 61, § 61.75 |
The key advantage of the BASA/TIP‑L route is that it results in a standalone FAA certificate, not a foreign‑based one tied to your EASA licence.
To convert your EASA PPL under BASA/TIP‑L, you must:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Valid EASA Part‑FCL PPL | Hold a current EASA PPL (or higher) with applicable ratings |
| Valid medical certificate | EASA medical and FAA medical certificate |
| English proficiency | Demonstrate ability to read, speak, write, and understand English |
| FAA verification | Complete the FAA verification process (Form AC 8060‑71) |
| Ratings | SEP, MEP, IR, and/or Night Rating may be converted |
Note: The BASA/TIP‑L agreement applies specifically to PPL(A) licences and associated ratings (SEP, MEP, Night Rating). Higher licences (CPL, ATPL) require different procedures.
Submit a verification request through the FAA’s IACRA system or by mail using FAA Form AC 8060‑71 (Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification).
iacra.faa.govThe verification letter is valid for 6 months.
You must hold a valid FAA medical certificate (at least Third‑Class) for the conversion. This is separate from your EASA medical.
Complete the FAA Form 8710‑1 (Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application). You can print this from IACRA.
You must appear in person before an FAA‑authorised official. You have two options:
Option A: FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in the U.S.
Option B: Designated Pilot Examiner – Foreign Pilot Examiner (DPE‑FPE) in Europe
designee.faa.gov) for DPE‑FPEBring originals:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certificate type | U.S. Private Pilot Certificate (Standalone) |
| Ratings | Airplane Single‑Engine Land (ASEL) and other ratings from your EASA PPL |
| Validity | Independent of your EASA licence (not tied to it) |
| Privileges | Full private pilot privileges in U.S.‑registered (N‑number) aircraft |
| Requirement | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Flight Review | Every 24 calendar months (14 CFR § 61.56) |
| Medical | Must remain valid (FAA medical) |
| Currency | FAA recency requirements (14 CFR § 61.57) |
| Ratings | Instrument, night, and other ratings remain valid as per FAA rules |
| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| IACRA | iacra.faa.gov |
| FAA Designee Locator | designee.faa.gov |
| AC 61‑143 | Primary FAA guidance for EASA → FAA conversion |
| FAA Form AC 8060‑71 | faa.gov/forms/ |
| FAA Form 8710‑1 | Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application |
| Annex 3 – Pilot Licensing | FAA‑EASA BASA Annex 3 |
| TIP‑L | Technical Implementation Procedures – Licensing |
| FAA Contact | 9-awa-avs-afs50@faa.gov (Flight Standards, Annexes 2‑4) |
| Your Licence | ICAO Compliant? | Best Route | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| EASA PPL | ✅ Yes | BASA / TIP‑L | Standalone FAA certificate |
| EASA SPL | ✅ Yes | 14 CFR § 61.75 | Foreign‑based FAA certificate |
| EASA LAPL | ❌ No | Neither | Not eligible for conversion |
Sources: 14 CFR § 61.75; FAA AC 61‑143; FAA‑EASA BASA Annex 3 – Pilot Licensing; TIP‑L; FAA Order 8900.1
Legal basis for EASA SPL → FAA Private Pilot Certificate under ICAO Annex 1 and 14 CFR § 61.75
Chapter 2 – Licences and Ratings for Pilots
2.9 Glider pilot licence – Experience requirements
“The applicant shall have completed not less than 15 hours of flight time as a pilot of gliders including two hours of solo flight time during which not less than 40 launches and landings have been performed.”
Licence categories recognised:
| ICAO Standard (Annex 1, 2.9) | EASA Part-SFCL | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 15 hours flight time | 15 hours (SFCL.130) | ✅ |
| 2 hours solo | 2 hours (SFCL.130) | ✅ |
| 40 launches/landings | 45 (SFCL.130) | ✅ exceeds |
| ICAO Class 2 medical | Part-MED Class 2 | ✅ |
| Private pilot level | SPL = private pilot level | ✅ |
“The European sailplane licence SPL meets all ICAO requirements for gliding.” — German Aviation Authority (DFS)
“The SPL complies with all ICAO requirements for gliding. With an ICAO Class 2 or ICAO Class 1 medical, the licence is valid worldwide.” — Belgian Gliding Training
“A person who holds a foreign pilot license at the private pilot level or higher that was issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may apply for and be issued a U.S. private pilot certificate with the appropriate ratings.”
“…without any further showing of proficiency, provided the applicant:
(1) Holds a foreign pilot license at the private pilot license level or higher;
(2) Does not contain a limitation stating the applicant has not met ICAO standards;
(3) Does not hold a U.S. pilot certificate;
(4) Holds a medical certificate from the country that issued the foreign pilot license;
(5) Is able to read, speak, write, and understand English.”
“Aircraft ratings listed on a person’s foreign pilot license … may be placed on that person’s U.S. pilot certificate.”
“A person who receives a U.S. private pilot certificate … is subject to the limitations and restrictions on the person’s U.S. certificate and foreign pilot license.”
ICAO Annex 1 (2.9)
│
├─ Recognises "Glider pilot licence"
├─ Sets 15h / 2h solo / 40 launches
└─ Requires ICAO Class 2 medical
│
▼
EASA Part-SFCL (SPL)
│
├─ Meets/exceeds ICAO standards
├─ 15h / 2h solo / 45 launches
├─ Part-MED Class 2 = ICAO Class 2
└─ Private pilot level
│
▼
14 CFR § 61.75 (FAA)
│
├─ Requires foreign licence at private pilot level
├─ Requires ICAO-compliant licence
├─ No further testing required
└─ Issues U.S. Private Pilot Certificate
│
▼
RESULT: U.S. Private Pilot Certificate (Glider rating)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is EASA SPL ICAO-compliant? | ✅ Yes – meets/exceeds ICAO Annex 1, 2.9 |
| Is SPL at private pilot level? | ✅ Yes |
| Does SPL have ICAO limitation? | ✅ No |
| Can EASA medical be used? | ✅ Yes – Part-MED Class 2 accepted |
| Is FAA test required? | ✅ No – “without further showing of proficiency” |
Legal basis for EASA Part-FCL PPL(A) → FAA Private Pilot Certificate under ICAO Annex 1 and FAA-EASA BASA/TIP-L
Chapter 2 – Licences and Ratings for Pilots
2.3 Private pilot licence (aeroplane) – ICAO requires:
“The essential requirements apply to pilot qualification, training, and fitness as specified in chapters 2 and 6 of ICAO Annex 1.”
| ICAO Standard | EASA Part-FCL (PPL) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Private pilot licence (aeroplane) | PPL(A) | ✅ |
| ICAO Class 2 medical | Part-MED Class 2 | ✅ |
| ICAO compliance statement | “This licence complies with ICAO standards” | ✅ |
“PPL — the Private Pilot Licence is the classic pathway. It follows ICAO standards and is recognised globally.” — EASA
The U.S.–EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) , through Annex 3 – Pilot Licensing, enables reciprocal acceptance of private pilot licences between EASA and the FAA.
“The Pilot Licensing Annex (Annex 3) enables reciprocal acceptance of private pilot licenses, as well as night and instrument ratings, by both EASA and the FAA.”
FAA Advisory Circular 61-143 describes the procedures for converting an EU Part-FCL pilot license to an FAA pilot certificate.
“This AC describes how this conversion process is different from the process for obtaining an FAA pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license under 14 CFR § 61.75 and for which the FAA certificate is limited by the foreign license.”
“A person who holds a current foreign pilot license issued by a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation may apply for and be issued a private pilot certificate with the appropriate ratings.”
“…may be issued a private pilot certificate based on the foreign pilot license without any further showing of proficiency, provided the applicant:
(2) Holds a foreign pilot license that … Does not contain an endorsement stating that the applicant has not met all of the standards of ICAO for that license;
(3) Does not currently hold a U.S. pilot certificate;
(4) Holds a current medical certificate … issued by the country that issued the person’s foreign pilot license;
(5) Is able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.”
“Aircraft ratings listed on a person’s foreign pilot license … may be placed on that person’s U.S. pilot certificate.”
“A person who holds an instrument rating on the foreign pilot license may be issued an instrument rating … provided: (1) The person’s foreign pilot license authorizes instrument privileges; (2) Within 24 months preceding application, the person passes the appropriate knowledge test.”
“A person who receives a U.S. private pilot certificate … (3) Is subject to the limitations and restrictions on the person’s U.S. certificate and foreign pilot license.”
“Shall not exercise the privileges of that U.S. private pilot certificate when the person’s foreign pilot license has been revoked or suspended.”
ICAO Annex 1 (2.3)
│
├─ Recognises "Private pilot licence (aeroplane)"
├─ Requires ICAO Class 2 medical
└─ Minimum age 17
│
▼
EASA Part-FCL (PPL)
│
├─ Follows ICAO standards (EASA statement)
├─ Part-MED Class 2 = ICAO Class 2
└─ Licence states: "This licence complies with ICAO standards"
│
▼
FAA-EASA BASA / TIP-L (Annex 3)
│
├─ Enables reciprocal acceptance of PPL
├─ Covers night and instrument ratings
└─ AC 61-143 provides conversion procedures
│
▼
14 CFR § 61.75 (FAA)
│
├─ Requires foreign licence at private pilot level
├─ Requires ICAO-compliant licence
├─ No further testing required
└─ Issues U.S. Private Pilot Certificate
│
▼
RESULT: U.S. Private Pilot Certificate (Airplane rating)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is EASA PPL ICAO-compliant? | ✅ Yes – “follows ICAO standards and is recognised globally” |
| Is PPL at private pilot level? | ✅ Yes – by definition |
| Does PPL have ICAO limitation? | ✅ No – “This licence complies with ICAO standards” |
| Can EASA medical be used? | ✅ Yes – Part-MED Class 2 accepted |
| Is FAA test required? | ✅ No – “without any further showing of proficiency” |
| What ratings transfer? | Aircraft ratings; Instrument rating requires FAA knowledge test |
| Source | Reference |
|---|---|
| ICAO Annex 1 | Personnel Licensing, Chapter 2 |
| EASA Statement | PPL follows ICAO standards, recognised globally |
| FAA-EASA BASA Annex 3 | Reciprocal acceptance of private pilot licences |
| FAA AC 61-143 | Conversion procedures for EU Part-FCL to FAA |
| 14 CFR § 61.75 | Private pilot certificate based on foreign license |
| FAA IACRA | CFR 61.75 application guidance |