On Apr 14, 7:26�pm, "Papa3" wrote:
Folks,

Now, we have a person who DOES have a valid, current, foreign rating
wanting to get a US rating NOT based on their existing rating. *In
other words, they want to have a standalone US rating. * Since they
travel frequently, they want to avoid the potential of having their
foreign rating lapse due to scheduling issues (e.g. being in the US at
the time their medical just lapsed)

So, other than the TSA Foreign Pilot Training paperwork,


Note: TSA means Transportation Security Administration, NOT Texas
Soaring Association!

My understanding is that for foreign individuals seeking instruction /
rating in gliders, the TSA exemption found at
http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf90/302470_web.pdf
eliminates the need for the background check and other requirements.
To hack a quote from the TSA exemption document: "TSA is granting an
exemption . . . to individuals who apply for instruction in the
operation of . . . gliders"

Our Soaring Society of America (in "the land of the free", etc.) made
this happen for us by working with TSA to exempt gliders (if you've
been asking what the SSA has done for you lately.) www.ssa.org also
has a copy of the TSA exemption document.

This exemption also excuses CFI-G's from the "security awareness
training", but not if you are also a current CFI in airplanes (even if
you no longer teach in airplanes.) More info on this CFI (airplane /
rotary wing) security awareness training is at the AOPA website www.aopa.org

Note: As this applies to foreign glider students, this is my
understanding, not the official word. Check with your FAA FSDO for
their interpretation. Then again, FAA has little to do with this -
it's the TSA's domain. However I think the TSA exemption is clear.
Print copies of the TSA exemption document and keep them handy if the
TSA "men in black" visit your soaring site (I operate near the US
border - I've been visited twice.) Again, here is the document
directly from the TSA source:

http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf90/302470_web.pdf

The text regarding glider students and CFI's is on the second page,
paragraphs 2 & 3.

Thanks again to the SSA for this exemption! This was one of Larry
Sanderson's last efforts as SSA President. The exemption took effect
later, while Dennis Wright was our Executive Director, and he
broadcast the good news.

Burt
Marfa Gliders
www.flygliders.com