Which pilot licence is required for flying a third-country registered aircraft in the EU?
Answer
Which pilot licence is required to fly an aircraft registered in a third country?
European pilots, or pilots flying for a European operator, have to hold a European licence irrespective of whether the aircraft is EU-registered or registered in a third country. However, holding a European licence may not be sufficient to operate an aircraft registered in a third country. The state of registry may apply its own licensing requirements to the operation of aircraft on its register, and these may differ from, or be additional to, those of the EU. Licence holders are responsible for verifying and complying with the requirements of the state of registry before operating such an aircraft.
Aircraft registered in the United States (N-registered aircraft)
Under the FAA's current interpretation of 14 CFR § 61.3(a)(1)(vii), operating an N-registered aircraft with only a Part-FCL licence is permitted solely within the Member State that issued that licence.
From an EU licensing perspective, pilots remain qualified and entitled to exercise the privileges of their licence, rating or certificate (e.g. instructor certificate), and no additional Part-FCL licence endorsement is required.
Therefore, pilots who intend to operate N-registered aircraft outside the Member State that issued their licence should check the applicable FAA requirements before doing so, including whether they need to hold additional authorisation issued by the FAA.