FAA licence conversions - BASA agreement

On May 18, 2021, the so called Annex 3 to the BASA agreement came into effect, enabling conversions of private pilot licences for aircraft (including SEP, MEP, Night, and Instrument) for FAA certificate holders.

This guide aims to simplify and help you understand when a conversion can be carried out according to the BASA agreement, Annex 3. The guide is based on a form that includes both the application and skill test for the issuance of PPL, SEP, MEP, as well as night and/or instrument ratings based on the corresponding FAA certificate and ratings in accordance with the BASA agreement. The purpose is to simplify the conversion of certificates and/or ratings from FAA to EASA as mentioned in the table below.

Note that an IR(A) based on BASA Annex 3 can only be issued together with or for a PPL(A). If an applicant wishes to use their IR(A) together with a higher certificate, such as a CPL, in addition to the experience requirements in Part-FCL, a complete theoretical examination in accordance with FCL.025 and FCL.615 IR is required. Please note that according to BASA agreement Annex 3, it is not possible to convert individual ratings to a higher licence than PPL(A).

Nothing prevents a holder of a PPL(A) converted in accordance with BASA agreement Annex 3 from pursuing a higher licence, such as CPL(A) through further training in accordance with Part-FCL. However, a holder of an EASA CPL(A) cannot convert ratings according to the BASA agreement and must instead follow Article 10 of the delegated regulation (EU) 2020/723.

The following links lead you to the actual agreement and to the detailed requirements (TIP-L technical implementation procedure – licensing) where you will find more details and the requirements that must be met to convert according to this agreement.

Image caption: Flowchart to ensure that the applicant is covered by the agreement.

Depending on your experience (flight time), you may need additional training (practical and/or theoretical) at a training organisation.

Application and Skill Test Form

The following form should be used both as an application form and a skill test form. Below is a guide for certain parts of the procedure that require clarification beyond the description provided at the end of the form.

TSL7356 - BASA TIP-L Part FCL licence application form

Guidance

Based on the above flowchart, fill in section A.

Image caption: Section A in form TSL7356, screenshot.

Example of an applicant covered by the BASA agreement:

"I have an FAA CPL certificate with SEL, MEL, IR, and Night Flying, issued before May 18, 2021, and have been living (registered) within the EU since before May 18, 2021. All my FAA ratings (including my FAA medical) are valid at the time of the skill test."

Example of an applicant covered by the BASA agreement:

"I have an FAA PPL certificate with SEL issued six months ago. All my FAA ratings (including my FAA medical) are valid at the time of the skill test."
Explanation: The applicant is covered by the agreement as the FAA skill test was conducted within the stipulated time (24 months).

Example of an applicant NOT covered by the BASA agreement:

"I have an FAA PPL certificate with SEL, MEL, IR, and Night Flying, issued before May 18, 2021, and have been living in the USA for the last 10 years. All my FAA ratings (including my FAA medical) are valid at the time of the skill test."
Explanation: The applicant is not covered by the agreement as they did not reside within the EU before May 18, 2021.

Example of an applicant NOT covered by the BASA agreement:

“I have an FAA PPL certificate with SEL, MEL, IR and Night Flying, issued before May 18, 2021, and have been living (registered) within the EU since before May 18, 2021. All my FAA ratings (including my FAA medical) are valid. I also have an EASA CPL(A) SEP and would like to use BASA to convert my ME and IR ratings.
Explanation: The applicant is not covered by the agreement as the scope of the BASA agreement is limited to PPL(A). As the applicant is an EASA CPL licence holder, the applicant does not qualify for the BASA agreement for this conversion.

Please see the page Third country licence conversions and validations for other ways to convert licences and ratings.

In section C, we want to clarify the following:

Image caption: Section C in form TSL7356, screenshot.

The question concerns whether the FAA certificate is fundamentally based on another certificate and is converted to FAA. The lowest accepted FAA medical certificate is Class 3, BasicMed is not approved. See instructions on page 15 in the form.

In section U, we want to clarify what is described on page 16 in the form under "Part 4" and U.

To count experience through training and/or completed IFR flying (PIC), the training and/or experience must have been acquired after the issue of the rating. This experience can be acquired through either FAA or EASA, or a combination of both.

If an applicant does not meet the required experience, or is unable to acquire it within the FAA system, the pilot must complete the missing flight time through instrument training at an EASA ATO.