Licensing and Training of Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors Outside the United States

This final rule removes language from the Federal Aviation Regulations that restricts the licensing of foreign persons outside of the United States and that restricts the operation of pilot schools and training centers that are located outside of the United States. The restrictive language was originally placed in the regulations because of administrative concerns that are no longer applicable. The restrictive language was identified during harmonization efforts currently underway between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) as an obstruction to harmonization. Failure to harmonize FAA and JAA rules on licensing and training could be detrimental to FAA pilot schools and training centers that seek to train students from the JAA member states. As part of the FAA's commitment to reduce restrictions that are not safety driven and to further harmonize our regulations with our European neighbors, the FAA is removing this restrictive language.