Applying to validate or convert licences and ratings issued by an ICAO Contracting State that is not an EASA Member State
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Holders of foreign pilot licences may apply to validate their licences in Luxembourg or convert them into Luxembourg licences.
Who is concerned?
All licence holders who meet the requirements may have their foreign licence validated or converted in Luxembourg.
Prerequisites
Applicants who wish to have a licence validated or converted must:
- hold a valid licence issued by a country that is a third country to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) but a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO);
- hold a medical certificate;
- possess the required qualifications.
Persons applying for the validation of a pilot licence for specific tasks of limited duration must also be directly or indirectly employed by an aircraft manufacturer or aviation authority.
For the validation of a licence for competition flights or demonstration flights of limited duration, before the event the organiser of the competition or demonstration flights must provide adequate proof showing that safety information and information on risks associated with the flights was conveyed to the pilot.
For the validation of a licence for non-commercial tasks, applicants must also have completed at least one acclimatisation flight with a qualified instructor before carrying out the specific tasks of limited duration.
Deadlines
At least 14 days before the date of the competition, event or start date of the activity, the Directorate of Civil Aviation (Direction de l'Aviation Civile – DAC) must receive the application:
- for special authorisation for competition flights or demonstration flights of limited duration; or
- for authorisation for specific non-commercial tasks.
Costs
Applicants must pay the corresponding fees by wire transfer to the bank account of ALSA S.A., and the transfer must mention the appropriate reference information as listed in the table below.
Account holder: Luxembourg Aviation Safety Agency (ALSA S.A.)
Bank account: IBAN LU77 0019 3655 1997 3000 (Swift Code: BCEELULL)
Re: "xx – xx" (stating the name and reference of the procedure as listed in the table below)
| Procedure | Reference | Amount due (in EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Validation of a licence issued by a country that does not belong to EASA |
22(1) | 219 |
| Amendment to a validation | 22(2) | 92 |
| Theory exam for the purpose of validating a third-country licence |
22(3) | 71 |
| Validation of pilot licences for specific tasks |
23 | 153 |
| Theory exam for the purpose of converting a PPL/BPL/SPL | 24(1) | 71 |
| Issuance of a PPL/BPL/SPL based on a licence issued by a State that is not an EASA member | 24(2) | 268 |
How to proceed
Filing an application
To have their licences validated in Luxembourg or converted to Luxembourg licences, holders of foreign pilot licences may apply to the DAC:
- by post; or
- by email to: lic@av.etat.lu.
The corresponding form must be completed, dated and signed by:
- the applicant; or
- the operator; or
- the owner of the aircraft the pilot will fly.
Specific provisions for the validation of a licence issued by an ICAO Contracting State that is not an EASA Member State
Validation of aeroplane and helicopter licences
To apply for a validation, holders must send the required form along with the documents listed on it.
Pilot licences for commercial transport and other commercial associations
To apply for this type of validation, applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-01 or DAC-LIC 113-02.
Pilot licences for non-commercial activities with an instrument rating
Applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-03 for the validation of:
- private pilot licences (PPL) with an instrument rating; or
- commercial pilot licences (CPL) and airline transport pilot licences (ATPL) with an instrument rating, when the pilot intends to exercise only private pilot privileges.
Pilot licences for non-commercial activities without an instrument rating
Applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-04 for the validation of:
- private pilot licences; or
- CPL and ATPL licences without an instrument rating when the pilot intends to exercise only private pilot privileges.
Validation of pilot licences for specific tasks of limited duration
Applicants must submit form DAC-LIC 113-05, duly signed by their employer.
For the validation of licences for specific tasks of limited duration, the holder's privileges are limited to the following activities:
- flight instruction and flight tests for the initial issuance of the type rating; or
- supervision of maiden flights scheduled by operators' pilots, delivery or ferry flights, maiden flights; or
- flight demonstrations; or
- test flights.
Special authorisation for competition flights or demonstration flights of limited duration
For competition flights or demonstration flights of limited duration, the DAC may validate a third-country licence that allows holders to exercise the privileges of:
- a PPL; or
- a balloon pilot licence (BPL); or
- a sailplane pilot licence (SPL).
Acceptance of a PPL, SPL or BPL for specific non-commercial tasks
Pilots must submit to the DAC a written application accompanied by the following documents:
- a copy of the licence;
- a copy of the medical certificate;
- a copy of the acclimatisation flight report.
Specific provisions for the conversion of a licence issued by an ICAO Contracting State that is not an EASA Member State
Conversion of aeroplane, helicopter, balloon or sailplane licences for non-commercial activities
Applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-06.
The DAC may convert a PPL, SPL, BPL, CPL or ATPL for the relevant aircraft category into a PPL with single-pilot class or type rating, or into a BPL or SPL.
To do this, the original licence must have been issued by a third country in accordance with the requirements of Annex 1 of the Chicago Convention.
Conversion of professional licences
Applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-08.
The DAC may issue equivalent licences, ratings, certificates or privileges to applicants who already hold a similar licence, rating, privilege or certificate issued by a third country in accordance with Annex 1 of the Chicago Convention.
Credit for theoretical and/or practical training may be granted based on a recommendation from an approved training organisation or declared training organisation.
Holders of an ATPL licence issued by an ICAO member country may receive full credit regarding the requirements to take a training course before beginning the theoretical knowledge examinations and the practical exam. To do this, they must meet the following requirements:
- holders must have met the experience requirements for the issuance of an ATPL in the relevant aircraft category; and
- the third-country licence must mention a type rating that is valid for the aircraft to be used for the practical exam.
Conversion of powered ultralight aircraft (ULM) pilot licences and parachuting licences
General remarks
Foreign licences and/or ratings for private pilots of powered ultralight aircraft and for parachutists may be converted into Luxembourg licences.
In this situation, the Minister of Transport may waive theory or practical tests that are equivalent to tests already taken.
Foreign instructor ratings may not be converted. However, on an exceptional basis and with a justified application by an approved school, the DAC may authorise holders of a valid foreign instructor licence or rating to teach:
- on aircraft registered in Luxembourg; or
- for Luxembourg parachuting licences, at an approved school.
The approval of these training activities is temporary and may not exceed a 12-month period.
Theory requirements
For powered ultralight aircraft pilot licences, a written, multiple-choice theory exam on 'Regulations' is required. If the pilot has flown in a meteorological environment that differs greatly from Luxembourg's, a 'Meteorology' exam is also required.
For parachuting licences, a comprehensive multiple-choice exam is required. The minimum score required to pass is 70 %.
Practical requirements
A skills test is required for all applicants for a Luxembourg powered ultralight aircraft pilot licence and parachuting licence.
For powered ultralight aircraft pilot licences, this test must be conducted by an approved examiner, after the applicant passes the theory portion, and following the submission of a written application to the DAC.
For parachuting licences, the practical exam certificate, signed by a Luxembourg-licensed instructor, must be submitted to the DAC.
Acceptance of class and type ratings
Applicants must use form DAC-LIC 113-07.
A valid class or type rating mentioned on a licence issued by a third country may be mentioned on a licence issued in accordance with 'Part FCL'.
DAC's decision
Before issuing the validation, the DAC will contact the foreign authority that issued the licence to verify its authenticity and compliance.
Acceptance by the DAC will be communicated by means of an official letter.
Duration of validity
An aeroplane or helicopter pilot licence is valid for up to one year, provided that the licence remains valid during this period.
This validity may be extended by one year if the pilot has completed the formalities to begin a training course, or is enrolled in a training course for the issuance of a licence. In such cases, the extension will cover the period required for the issuance of the licence.
For non-commercial tasks, the DAC may validate a licence for a period of up to 28 days per calendar year.
Online services and forms
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Who to contact
Directorate of Civil Aviation
-
Ministry of Mobility and Public Works Directorate of Civil Aviation
- Address:
-
4, rue Lou Hemmer
L-1748
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 283, L-2012
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 74900
- Fax:
- (+352) 46 77 90
- Email address:
- info@dac.gouvernement.lu
- Website:
- https://dac.gouvernement.lu/en.html
Closed ⋅ Opens at 13.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
Opening hours: from 8.30 to 12.00 and 13.00 to 17.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
Legal references
-
Règlement délégué (UE) 2020/723 de la Commission du 4 mars 2020
établissant des règles détaillées concernant l’acceptation de la certification des pilotes par les pays tiers
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 1er août 2018
instituant la perception de taxes et de redevances relatives aux licences, qualifications et reconnaissance de licences du personnel de conduite d’aéronefs et du personnel de maintenance d’aéronefs
-
Règlement (UE) 1178/2011 de la Commission du 3 novembre 2011
établissant des règles techniques et des procédures administratives applicables au personnel Navigant
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 6 février 2004
réglementant les licences et qualifications du personnel de conduite d'avion
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 17 août 1994
portant application de la Directive N° 91/670/CEE du 16 décembre 1991 sur l'acceptation mutuelle des licences du personnel pour exercer des fonctions dans l'aviation civile.
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 13 janvier 1993
réglementant les licences et qualifications du personnel de conduite des aéronefs
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 4 juillet 1990
réglementant les licences et qualifications des parachutistes
- Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention)
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