As our aircraft is on the N register (registered with the United States FAA), we have included here some guidance on flying in the UK and Europe in an N-registered aircraft for anyone who might be thinking of joining our group. This information is only intended to give a flavour, and is given in good faith on an 'as far as we know' basis. For definitive information you must consult the relevant legislative bodies - including the FAA, the UK CAA, and EASA.

If you have a UK licence (An 'old-style' licence, or a JAR-FCL, or a NPPL), you are allowed to fly an N-registered aircraft under the privileges of your UK licence, provided that you keep within a single UK FIR (Flight Information Region). Within that FIR, you can exercise all of the privileges of your UK licence. This does mean, however, that you can't cross an FIR boundary, so you can't take the aircraft abroad, or to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or - given that the aircraft is based at Gamston - take it 'over the border' into the Scottish FIR (which begins just south of Newcastle).

To be allowed to fly further afield, you can apply for a US 'cover' of your UK licence, which is often called a 'Restricted Certificate' or a '61.75 Certificate' – a US Private Pilot Certificate issued on the basis of a foreign licence. To do this, you have to apply to the FAA in writing - which is easiest to do using the standard form. When you apply, you have to send the obvious information, including photocopies of your licence and medical certificate, and you have to stipulate where (ie which US Flight Standards District Office) you wish to collect the licence. Note that you have to physically attend to collect the licence in person, in the US, with your relevant flying documents (Licence, logbook) and ID (eg passport).

You also need to apply at the same time to the CAA to ask them to verify to the FAA that your licence is genuine - again, there is a standard form. All of these forms and other more detailed information are available via the N register documentation page.

Having applied with the relevant forms, and paid the fees (for the CAA process, you pay when you apply; for the FAA process you pay when you collect the Restricted Certificate) you will be notified when you will be able to collect your US Licence. The FAA website says you should apply at least 90 days before you wish to collect the licence.

The Restricted Certificate allows you to exercise all of the privileges of your UK pilot's licence. Thus if you have a night rating or IMC rating, you can use these. (But remember - the IMC rating is only valid in UK airspace). You are required to take a Biennial Flight Review in the same way as you would for a full US licence (and your Restricted Certificate is not valid until you have had one), but your UK medical is valid for the Restricted Certificate.

It is important to note that, just as with a UK licence, you are required to have your competence in English entered into your licence. You are also required to have a 'biennial flight review' in order to make use of your FAA licence; this is required whether you are flying with a full FAA licence or with a 'Restricted Certificate', and you must undertake this review every two years with an FAA Flying Instructor.