International Rentals
International pilots holding a valid pilot certificate from their country or from the United States may enter the U.S. under a tourist visa to build flight time providing the aircraft weighs less than 12,500 pounds and does not require a type rating. These pilots do not have to register with TSA or FAA if they have already converted to an FAA pilot certificate and are not training for additional ratings.
American Flight Schools locations have one of the largest and most diverse fleets available for rental at incredibly reasonable pricing which makes us a popular place for foreign pilots to rent aircraft to build flight time. Our fleet of aircraft includes Cessna 172/182, Piper Warriors and Archers, Cirrus SR-20/SR-22, and twin engine aircraft such as the Tecnam P2006T. You can experience the traditional “6-pack” panel or glass panel cockpits including both Garmin and Avidyne.
Before renting an aircraft from us, you must convert your foreign pilot certificate into a FAA pilot certificate prior to your arrival and complete an aircraft rental checkout and possibly a mountain checkout with an American Flight Schools flight instructor.
Required Pre-departure Training
- Flight review – 4 to 8 hours
- Instrument proficiency check – 4 to 8 hours (if instrument rated)
- Mountain flight training – 8 to 32 hours (varies based on pilot experience)
How do I schedule and complete the pre-departure training?
- AFS/AFC renter’s insurance policy and payment ($100)
- Copy of passport
- Copy of pilot certificate
- Copy of medical certificate
- International pilot records
- Estimated flight plan with projected destinations and dates
- Contract with pricing and payment details
- Signed document verifying an understanding of policies and the English language
Note: International pilots are non-members and pay non-member rates. We invoice three hours per day minimum, so plan accordingly. Additionally, you must provide the following documents 90 days prior to arrival:
- Copy of pilot logbooks
- Copy of FAA pilot certificate
- Visa(s)
American Flight Schools and Aspen Flying Club cannot issue visas. To rent an aircraft from us for the purpose of building flight time, you must possess a green card or a B-1 (business), B-2 (tourist), F-1 (student), J-1 (exchange visitor), M-1 (student) visa or be visiting from one of the 36 countries that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). There is no limit to the amount of time you can fly while your visa is valid in the United States.
How will U.S. flight training help me outside the U.S.?
How do you handle my payments?
How do your locations differ?
We invite you to visit the web site for each location to learn the differences in the airport, fleet, and weather. The Colorado and California locations have fewer rainy or cloudy days while Oregon can be quite cloudy especially in the winter. As an international renter, you may choose to fly at any of our locations to get the most valuable experience possible. Colorado and California offer excellent weather for flying, making flights much less of a hassle than other locations. Additionally, Centennial Airport is the premier general aviation airport in Colorado and typically the first or second busiest general aviation airport and among the top 25 busiest airports of all types. You can learn a lot from a busy airport.
Can I take a tour?
FAA Application Requirements
FAA – Airmen Certification Branch
AFS – 760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082
USA
http://registry.faa.gov
FV3@FAA.GOV
+1-405-954-3261 (Phone)
+1-405-954-9922 (Fax)
Application AC 8060-71 Verification of Foreign License and Medical Certification
Foreign applicants who require a visit to a FAA Flight Standards District Office or are applying for the issuance or replacement of an airman certificate in accordance with 14 CFR 61.75 must contact their selected Flight Standards District Office upon receipt of this verification letter to schedule an appointment with a FAA Inspector or authorized certifying official. Do not anticipate an appointment earlier than two weeks after this initial contact, due to enhanced security procedures. The verification letter will be valid for six calendar months (unless the license expires prior to that date or a shortened validity period is indicated by the verifying Civil Aviation Authority)