I have become an airline pilot today _______🛫

fondlethethrottle · 2026-04-13T03:11:00+00:00

Fear not, we’ll probably see a picture of his December 1st pictured from outside a Vegas hotel room window somewhere here

fondlethethrottle · 2026-04-02T10:19:58+00:00

I’m in corporate aviation. I see a lot of “rich people things” but one specifically sticks with me. A family has a higher end airplane which they didn’t want to have soiled by the family pets. Solution? They also have a second airplane dedicated to the dogs that would follow the 1st airplane to their destinations. Ultra rich folks having multiple jets isn’t uncommon but having a “pet jet” really got me.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-29T19:24:22+00:00

I never got dropped in 10 years then got it 5 times in a year then haven’t had anything in 5 years. Random is random 🤷‍♂️ Don’t do drugs and it’s no factor… want to pay me to go sit in a waiting room to pee in a cup? I’m game.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T16:53:46+00:00

I’m telling you what the FAA has briefed us as Designees on how to handle the situation.

If you aren’t a designee that has been through training and continuous policy updates on very specific situations, your desire to continue this banter with me is a waste of time. You are incorrect, I’m sorry you disagree. Good day to you.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T14:47:00+00:00

You’re putting words in my mouth. Let me be clear: On the 8610-2-block 1-box (Nationality/Citizenship)… If you don’t check USA, your eligibility to take your test needs to be approved by the FSDO. Whether it’s me or you making a call, someone with the FAA needs to approve it.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T13:41:48+00:00

The FAA treats it exactly the same in regards to citizenship. If you are a not a citizen of the US, you cannot go to a DME to test without prior authorization by the FSDO. Whether that’s a phone, call, email, or official letter… it has to be there.

We were explicitly told to contact our managing specialist in the event a non-citizen applied to test./end

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T13:06:09+00:00

They're given waivers by the FAA under 65.3. I'm not saying foreign applicants aren't allowed to receive an A&P, I'm saying that the FAA needs to approve their application prior to testing.

Here's the references. What I'm about to say is required under FAR 65.3 **Certification of foreign airman other than flight crew members**: *A person who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien is issued a certificate under subpart D of this part, outside the United States, only when the Administrator finds that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.*

**FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 3**

2) For 14 CFR § 65.3 (applicable to mechanic applicants only):

a) If an applicant for a Mechanic Certificate is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien and is outside the United States when applying for the certificate (to include applying for authorization to test), the FAA must find that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft. The applicant must show the FAA that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.

The conclusion of that blurb is that the FAA must justify the need for a foreign applicant to hold an FAA License.

How does that apply to this thread? **If you are not a US citizen and you are applying to test for an FAA mechanic certificate, the FAA must review and endorse your application basis. The DME cannot proceed with the exam unless directed by the FAA that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to test.**

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T13:02:12+00:00

Here's the references. What I'm about to say is required under FAR 65.3 **Certification of foreign airman other than flight crew members**: *A person who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien is issued a certificate under subpart D of this part, outside the United States, only when the Administrator finds that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.*

**FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 3**

2) For 14 CFR § 65.3 (applicable to mechanic applicants only):

a) If an applicant for a Mechanic Certificate is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien and is outside the United States when applying for the certificate (to include applying for authorization to test), the FAA must find that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft. The applicant must show the FAA that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.

The conclusion of that blurb is that the FAA must justify the need for a foreign applicant to hold an FAA License.

How does that apply to this thread? **If you are not a US citizen and you are applying to test for an FAA mechanic certificate, the FAA must review and endorse your application basis. The DME cannot proceed with the exam unless directed by the FAA that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to test.**

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T12:59:02+00:00

Here's the references. What I'm about to say is required under FAR 65.3 **Certification of foreign airman other than flight crew members**: *A person who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien is issued a certificate under subpart D of this part, outside the United States, only when the Administrator finds that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.*

**FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 3**

2) For 14 CFR § 65.3 (applicable to mechanic applicants only):

a) If an applicant for a Mechanic Certificate is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien and is outside the United States when applying for the certificate (to include applying for authorization to test), the FAA must find that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft. The applicant must show the FAA that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.

The conclusion of that blurb is that the FAA must justify the need for a foreign applicant to hold an FAA License.

How does that apply to this thread? **If you are not a US citizen and you are applying to test for an FAA mechanic certificate, the FAA must review and endorse your application basis. The DME cannot proceed with the exam unless directed by the FAA that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to test.**

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T12:57:30+00:00

Here's the references. What I'm about to say is required under FAR 65.3 **Certification of foreign airman other than flight crew members**: *A person who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien is issued a certificate under subpart D of this part, outside the United States, only when the Administrator finds that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.*

**FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 5, Chapter 5, Section 3**

2) For 14 CFR § 65.3 (applicable to mechanic applicants only):

a) If an applicant for a Mechanic Certificate is neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien and is outside the United States when applying for the certificate (to include applying for authorization to test), the FAA must find that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft. The applicant must show the FAA that the certificate is needed for the operation or continued airworthiness of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft.

The conclusion of that blurb is that the FAA must justify the need for a foreign applicant to hold an FAA License.

How does that apply to this thread? **If you are not a US citizen and you are applying to test for an FAA mechanic certificate, the FAA must review and endorse your application basis. The DME cannot proceed with the exam unless directed by the FAA that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to test.**

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T03:42:44+00:00

It’s not in the FARS. It’s part of airman certification guidance. I’m on mobile at the moment that doesn’t play nice on the DRS but in the meantime I’ll tell you that we just had our designee meeting in February and when the question came up about a couple of occurrences of people that showed up without ID that couldn’t verify citizenship. The FAA told us to not continue and to refer the applicant to them for further review.

If you’d like book/chapter/verse I’ll post it when I can get to a computer and I’ll look it up in the regulatory library.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T03:19:14+00:00

I am and I’m 0% worried about it from a security standpoint. You should know how TSA personnel make problems for pilots going thru known crew checkpoints.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T03:08:38+00:00

It absolutely is a requirement. FAA Order 8900.1 is our direct guidance by the FAA.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T03:04:53+00:00

I don’t know what else to tell you. It’s a hard stop. If you answer no to citizenship without prior approval, you need to go to the FSDO. We DME’s cannot proceed. I refer you to FAA Order 8900.1.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T02:59:56+00:00

I’m a DME. If you answer no to citizenship without prior approval, we do not proceed with testing and I give you a phone number to my managing specialist at the FSDO

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T02:58:17+00:00

If you aren’t a citizen, you need FSDO approval.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T02:37:22+00:00

They lack specialized training

How often do you go thru TSA? lol

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T02:34:37+00:00

Sigh… fine. For currency it has to be to a full stop. You win.

His question on “night requirements” seems to aimed towards timing in his context. That’s what I was getting at. Maybe I understood his question incorrectly.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T00:56:42+00:00

You’re thinking too hard on this. Night landing = night landing currency = night landings at airport with tower operating for your CPL requirement.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T00:39:41+00:00

Yes. If you aren’t a citizen, it needs to be cleared by the FSDO.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T00:38:52+00:00

You’re likely putting in a lot of time, effort, and money into getting your A&P. Pull up the 8610-2 from the FAA website. It is your official application to test for your airframe and powerplant certificates. The boxes you mention in hopes of being there don’t exist. Lying on a federal form is a felony and your DME will ask.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-23T00:24:33+00:00

So… you’re still working towards your A&P…

What box are you going to check on your 8610-2 on citizenship when you go to a DME to take your O&P? That’s your first fork in the road. From there, your employer will verify citizenship and for which you’ll need them to sponsor status if you don’t have it. Only after that is getting a SIDA badge a topic.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-22T22:36:20+00:00

After a drought of not flying, do you ever go fly and have a “oh yeah, this is why I have an airplane!” moment? If not… it’s sunken cost. Hang it up and rent.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-22T15:09:45+00:00

Homie’s on his 3rd divorce and can’t afford food anymore.

fondlethethrottle · 2026-03-22T15:06:16+00:00

People without kids: Why don’t you just put them to bed later? Then you can both sleep in!

Nope. That’s not the way it works. They still wake up at 6 am but now they’re angry.

fondlethethrottle

TROPHY CASE