Things to know

What is AirVenture?

  • The EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI is the largest and most famous air show for general aviation including major representation from OEMs, suppliers, aero clubs and every imaginable aviation celebrity

  • Established in 1953 the yearly event is regular growing and reached now already from 600.000 visitors and roughly 10.000 aircraft of all types.

  • Of course, the event features several hours of flight display each day of the week including a night airshow, a sea plane base and STOL competitions

  • More information can be found on the webpage https://www.eaa.org/airventure

What is Plus One Flyers?

  • One of the largest flying clubs in the world, Plus One Flyers (POF) operates over 30 aircraft from 4 different airports (Montgomery, Carlsbad, Gillespie, Ramona) in the greater San Diego area.

  • The club offers several advantages

    • good service & well maintained aircraft

    • welcomes European pilots and allows them to join only for the flying trip & cancel their membership directly afterwards

    • most importantly, their club policy requires only 1h/day minimum rental time (compared to 3h/day for most commercial operators)

  • More information at http://www.plusoneflyers.org

Who can join the flying vacation?

  • Requirements / "Fliegerische Voraussetzungen"

    • ICAO / EASA Private Pilot License (already with 0 hours after license)

    • good proficiency in English

    • passed proficiency-flight in Germany

Do I need FAA flight training?

  • No, if you hold a European pilot license. Furthermore, depending on your previous US flying experience, pilots can usually be grouped into 2 categories:

    • Training & Trip

      • if required, pickup FAA-validation at the San Diego FSDO

      • attend Plus One Flyers briefing

      • flight training to acquire intended FAA license, endorsement, aircraft familiarization and/or experience

      • complete Plus One Flyers checkout (most likely included in training)

    • Trip only

      • if required, pickup FAA-validation at the San Diego FSDO

      • attend Plus One Flyers briefing

      • complete Plus One Flyers checkout including, if required, an FAA flight review (BFR)

How do you I get my FAA Pilot License?

  • While there is the potential to acquire a standalone FAA Pilot license in only one week, this requires a US student visa, TSA approval, FAA flight training and a checkride with an designated examiner.

  • Therefore we recommend to request the issuance of an "FAA-validation based on a Foreign License" aka "FAA validation". The validation enables you to perform all Private Pilot privileges that you have in Europe, usually PPL Single Engine Land including NVFR.

  • These are the simple 6 steps to get your FAA validation:

    1. Download form AC 8060-71 "Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License and Medical Certification Supplemental Information and Instructions" (PDF)

    2. Complete form based on your personal information and EASA license and submit it to the FAA via the IACRA tool

    3. Receive confirmation letter from the FAA

    4. Schedule appointment at the San Diego FSDO

    5. Pickup FAA-validation at the San Diego FSDO

    6. "Activate" your FAA validation with an FAA flight review (BFR) during the Plus One Flyers checkout ;-)

What are required & potential FAA Flight Trainings?

  • "Fliegerische Weiterbildung" offered during training week and during the trip itself

    • License (e.g. stand-alone FAA PPL, FAA IFR Add-on)

    • Endorsements (required depending on preferred aircraft)

      • HP: high performance endorsement (more than 200HP)

      • CPX: complex endorsement (variable pitch prop, retractable landing gear & flaps)

      • TD: tail dragger endorsement

    • New aircraft familiarization (e.g. DA40, C182, C182RG, C210, BE33, SR20, SR22, BE76)

    • Time building (e.g. night, IFR, cross-country, G1000, mountain flying, using foreflight to it's full potential, etc)

How do you prepare for the POF checkout & trip?

  • Preparation in Germany or the US

    • 3 Preparation Meetings

      • discuss plans, share experience, ask & answer questions, reserve aircraft, book hotel rooms and eat burgers

    • Flying

      • to ensure VFR day, VFR night and/or IFR currency (e.g. 90 days, BFR, IPC)

      • to familiarize yourself with a new aircraft or avionics (e.g. DA40, G1000)

      • as a crew to align multi-crew procedures

      • to familiarize yourself with or test new equipment (e.g. foreflight, new ipad mount, new camera)

  • Preparation in the US

    • FAA Flight Training (if planned)

    • Flying (if required)

      • to familiarize yourself with flying in the US

      • to familiarize yourself with a new aircraft or avionics (e.g. DA40, G1000)

      • to gain HP, CPX or TD endorsements (as required)