If i have a non-US 'PPL', can i rent a Cessna 172 for recreational flying?

Question

I have a visitors visa.

I have a habit of going 'flightseeing' when on vacation. Usually find the nearest airport and rent an airplane (with instructor) or book a $50 familiarization flight to check out what the local environment looks like from the air.

With the new (TSA) rules about visitors recieving flight training in the USA, would i still be able to do this type of flight? Are there any restrictions i might face?

Answer 1

The ICAO sets international standards on flying that all member countries agree to (as i'm sure you know as a PPL).  99% of the ICAO members have agreements with eachother that basically say, your PPL's can fly here if mine can fly there.  It isn't true in all countries, mostly 1st world nations might hesitate to take PPL's from some 3rd world nations and extend the same privalige.  The agreement does not extend to instrument endorsements or CPL's, but for VRF sightseeing it does.  I looked in to the same on a few vacations and found that yes I am extended the same privalige as the PPL's in Europe and Canada (save the VFR night endorsement since in the US we roll that in to the PPL).  And while my PPL is fine, my instrument isn't going to transfer over.  

Since the US would extend your PPL abilities while in the US, I'dhave to imagine you could get a familiarization flight here with nimimum hassle (granted if they haven't seen or done that before it might be a minor pain).  I'd expect it would be just like going to a new FBO and renting a plane.  Doesn't matter if you have your ATP and 15,000 hours in the logs, to rent a 172 they'll still want to make you do a check out flight, and that is essentially what you are looking for anyway right?  Hey lemme go up with a CFI and sight see / heck check out in your planes just do say I did.  

I think the security checks are more along the lines of if you were applying for your commercial or an advanced rating, not for a PPL just wanting to go up with a CFI for a half hour of fun.

Also, not knowing your experience, if you are going to be in the Appalachian or Rocky mountain area I'd suggest a quick mountain familiarization flight if you dont have that in your part of the world.  Twice as scenic and you'll learn so much from it.

Answer 2

You will most likely be asked to undertake an exam and get checked out with an instructor in your type rating, upon successful completion of both the flight school can apply for a conversion on your behalf.

My PPL was completed in Asia, in Australia I read that I can obtain a temporary conversion (valid 3 months) upon completion of a check ride and due dilligence, they advice you to start the paper work 4-6 weeks before arrival in Australia, im sure that the US has a similar system, contact the flight school where you are planning to charter and ask them for precise details.

Answer 3

Right now to be able to rent a plane and fly it yourself you could be looking at up to a year for approval, but if you had a pilot other than yourself you could do it.

Answer 4

As long as you don't look like bin laden and have nothing tied to your waist I think you will be able to go on a sight seeing tour but not in the cities.

Answer 5

probably not, with security the way it is and all...before 9/11, yes, after no

Answer 6

It takes a while to get approved, and quite a bit of paperwork. I had a friend from Australia in my instrument class a few years back and he had to wait a few months, but not anywhere close to a year.