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EASA SPL to FAA Private Pilot Certificate

A concise guide to obtaining a U.S. Private Pilot Certificate based on your EASA Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL)

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Legal Basis: 14 CFR § 61.75

“A person who holds a foreign pilot license at the private pilot level or higher… may apply for and be issued a private pilot certificate.”

Why Your EASA SPL Qualifies

Question	Answer
Is SPL at private pilot level?	Yes – EASA SPL allows private pilot privileges, carriage of passengers, and is ICAO-compliant
Does FAA accept it?	Yes – FAA Order 8900.1 explicitly lists EASA SPL as acceptable for conversion
What about LAPL(S)?	No – LAPL(S) is sub-ICAO and not eligible for conversion

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Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Detail
Valid foreign licence	EASA SPL (private pilot level or higher)
No existing U.S. certificate	Cannot hold a U.S. pilot certificate
Medical certificate	EASA Part-MED Class 2 or FAA Part 67
English proficiency	Must read, speak, write, and understand English
ICAO compliance	No limitation stating you have not met ICAO standards

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What You Will Receive

Feature	Detail
Certificate	U.S. Private Pilot Certificate (Foreign-Based)
Rating	Glider category
Validity	Tied to your EASA SPL – if SPL is invalid, FAA certificate becomes invalid
Privileges	Private pilot in U.S.-registered (N-number) aircraft

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Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Verify Your Licence (45-90 days)

Via IACRA (Preferred):

1. Register at iacra.faa.gov
2. Select “START FOREIGN VERIFICATION PROCESS”
3. Upload your EASA SPL

By Mail:

• Complete FAA Form AC 8060-71
• Mail to: FAA Airmen Certification Branch AFB-720, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125

Verification letter is valid for 6 months.

Step 2: Complete FAA Form 8710-1

Print from IACRA or download from FAA website.

Step 3: Schedule In-Person Appointment

Option A: FAA FSDO (U.S.)

• Contact FSDO upon receipt of verification letter
• Allow ≥2 weeks for appointment

Option B: DPE-FPE (Europe)

• Search designee.faa.gov for DPE-FPE
• Some flight schools have contracted DPE-FPEs

Step 4: Attend Appointment

Bring originals:

• Verification of Authenticity Letter
• FAA Form 8710-1
• EASA SPL
• Medical certificate (EASA Part-MED Class 2 or FAA)
• Passport

Step 5: Receive Certificate

• Temporary certificate issued on the spot
• Permanent plastic card mailed later by FAA

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Limitations

Limitation	Explanation
Tied to foreign licence	Valid only while EASA SPL remains valid
Private pilot only	No commercial privileges
No upgrade path	Cannot be used for Commercial Pilot Certificate without additional FAA testing
Foreign limitations apply	Any limitations on your SPL carry over

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After Issuance – Maintenance

Requirement	Frequency
Flight Review	Every 24 months (14 CFR § 61.56)
Medical	Must remain valid (EASA or FAA)
Foreign licence	Must remain valid
Currency	FAA recency requirements (14 CFR § 61.57)

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Summary Checklist

• Create IACRA account
• Submit Verification of Authenticity
• Wait 45-90 days
• Receive Verification Letter (valid 6 months)
• Complete FAA Form 8710-1
• Schedule appointment (FSDO in U.S. or DPE-FPE in Europe)
• Attend appointment with all required documents
• Receive temporary certificate
• Maintain Flight Review every 24 months
• Keep EASA SPL valid

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Key Resources

Resource	Link
IACRA	iacra.faa.gov
FAA Designee Locator	designee.faa.gov
FAA Form AC 8060-71	faa.gov/forms/
14 CFR § 61.75	Private pilot certificate based on foreign license
FAA Order 8900.1	Lists EASA SPL as acceptable for conversion

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Quick Reference

Your Licence	ICAO Compliant?	Private Pilot Level?	Eligible for § 61.75?
EASA SPL	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
EASA LAPL(S)	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
FAA Sport Pilot	❌ No	❌ No	N/A

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Sources: 14 CFR § 61.75; FAA Order 8900.1; FAA Airmen Certification Branch; Advisory Circular 61-143