FCC License Application

[NotarPilot]

Can anyone help out with how to apply for the FCC operator and radio station license for my aircraft for international flight?  The FCC website seems to be the most unuser-friendly website I've seen next to Jeppesen. I can't figure out how to navigate it to fill out the application and any help, shortcuts or hints would be appreciated.

[smwash02]

Make an account (FRN) here as an individual

Log in here.

You will need 'Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit' for you, lifetime. Plane needs a 'Radio Station Authorization', good for 10 years. 

I believe you can download both as PDFs immediately and print them out. They even say 'Official Copy' stamped across them.

System is down for maintenance or I'd help you further.

 

Edited May 6, 2022 by smwash02

[NotarPilot]

2 hours ago, smwash02 said:

Make an account (FRM) here as an individual

Log in here.

You will need 'Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit' for you, lifetime. Plane needs a 'Radio Station Authorization', good for 10 years. 

I believe you can download both as PDFs immediately and print them out. They even say 'Official Copy' stamped across them.

System is down for maintenance or I'd help you further.

 

Thank you, sir.

[PeteMc]

A lot of patience is required for the FCC site.  Unless they've changed it.

So don't start the process when you only have a few minutes.  It has been a while, but I remember the biggest issue was navigation.  You click on something you thought would take you to exactly what you needed to apply and you'd end up on some FAQ page that sort of was related, but of absolutely no help.

[201er]

With all the international flying I have done, not a single time has anyone ever checked for it. It’s like an umbrella, as long as you have it, it won’t rain.

[buddy]

I’ve been to Canada and all over the Bahamas several times in the past 35 yrs. and have never been asked for the radio station license.

[PeteMc]

Yep, kind of ranks up there with the Airworthiness and Registration certificates.  You're supposed to have them and in theory it's a big no-no if you're caught without them.  But no one has ever looked to see any of them.

And they all exist in a Database and that's probably where any inspector would look to see how bad of a time they were really going to give you.  So in this century, it begs the question why?  They should just have to run the N# and have everything show up in front of them. 

 

[kortopates]

2 hours ago, PeteMc said:

Yep, kind of ranks up there with the Airworthiness and Registration certificates.  You're supposed to have them and in theory it's a big no-no if you're caught without them.  But no one has ever looked to see any of them.

And they all exist in a Database and that's probably where any inspector would look to see how bad of a time they were really going to give you.  So in this century, it begs the question why?  They should just have to run the N# and have everything show up in front of them. 

 

Indeed they do, but I am referring to your registration entering Mexico. I wouldn't want to see what happens if you showed up with out the official document on board. But I know plenty of inspectors look them up on the FAA website to see if its still active as I seen more than one plane impounded by the authorities while the owner had to leave it there to go work on getting a new temporary good for international travel before they could get their plane back Of course this always happens on a weekend when the FAA offices are closed. But would they let you by with just a warning if you didn't have it on board? I doubt it but don't know. As you know, the law still requires you have the documents onboard to be airworthy and present them - database or not.

But as for the FCC operator and aircraft permits, these seem to be FCC rules or perhaps ICAO rules that no country in North America or CENAM cares about. I've actually seen pilots push the documents to inspectors saying something like don't you want to see my brand new radio license? Maybe its a good thing since not everyone realizes its two different licenses at first.

Edited May 7, 2022 by kortopates

[Tommooney]

In Loretto MX they made me bring the airworthiness and registration inside the office, along with all the other documents. I had to use a knife to cut the plastic cover as it was kind of melted shut in the baggage compartment and i was in a hurry to pee after a 3 hour flight from Oxnard. 

At Mulege a soldier had a checklist that was very inclusive so I complied.

I recommend to be prepared for it as I'm not sure what happens if you don't have all the items on the soldiers checklist......

Tom

[kortopates]

4 hours ago, Tommooney said:

In Loretto MX they made me bring the airworthiness and registration inside the office, along with all the other documents. I had to use a knife to cut the plastic cover as it was kind of melted shut in the baggage compartment and i was in a hurry to pee after a 3 hour flight from Oxnard. 

At Mulege a soldier had a checklist that was very inclusive so I complied.

I recommend to be prepared for it as I'm not sure what happens if you don't have all the items on the soldiers checklist......

Tom

That's why we make copies of all your required documents, including air worthiness and registration, and present a copy to the inspector. Then they won't need to see the original in the aircraft. They'll be happy and it saves everybody time.

[A64Pilot]

I got them for the boat, it’s just a tax, no class, no test, just pay money.

No one wanted to see them, ever. I flew into Canada without having them as I didn’t know better, no one asked there either.

Mexico got onto boats a few years ago, impounded many because they didn’t have their TIP (temporary Importation Permit) basically a Mexican tax that your supposed to pay but many didn’t because no one ever checked, until one day they did.

They cared about the TIP because they made money off of it, a radio station license and or operators permit they don’t.

Edited May 8, 2022 by A64Pilot

[NotarPilot]

On 5/6/2022 at 7:39 AM, PeteMc said:

A lot of patience is required for the FCC site.  Unless they've changed it.

So don't start the process when you only have a few minutes.  It has been a while, but I remember the biggest issue was navigation.  You click on something you thought would take you to exactly what you needed to apply and you'd end up on some FAQ page that sort of was related, but of absolutely no help.

This is the precise issue I've been having. That website is such a PIA! 

On 5/7/2022 at 5:46 AM, 201er said:

With all the international flying I have done, not a single time has anyone ever checked for it. It’s like an umbrella, as long as you have it, it won’t rain.

If I didn't have it I'm positive they would ask for it.