Narrative:

I got aware of the fact that I do need a BFR by a united states (us) flight instructor and a logged entry of the BFR to be allowed to fly in the united states. So far I was assuming that flight reviews [from my foreign country] every two years do fulfill the requirements.I did get the us certificate based on my [foreign] license in [the past]; on the license it states that certificate is only valid if [foreign] license is valid. I am not aware that I was instructed that I would need a us BFR when I received the license.I was checked out at two flying schools and one flying club for renting airplanes. To get checked out these flying school of course I had to fly with an instructor and had flight and ground instructions; I could have easily asked for a BFR endorsement if I had known about the requirement but I did not. I could not find any documentation related to getting the us license in my records that clearly points out that I do need a us BFR. It is clear to me that it is my responsibility to know the relevant rules; but there is a difference between knowing the rule and truly understanding it. In my case I somehow came to the conclusion my [foreign] flight reviews are sufficient.I found out about the requirement because I was asked by the FAA to provide a copy of my flight review. In the context of this request I started to research and found on the [from an online source] webpage the clear explanation stating that I do need a valid us BFR to be allowed to fly in the us and that the native review is not sufficient.since I was taking flying lessons anyhow I immediately asked my flight instructor to conduct a BFR and log it. Now; knowing about this requirement I will always make sure I have a valid us BFR logged. With respect to new pilots getting a us license based on their foreign license it might be appropriate to review the documentation that comes with the mailed license. To include a written statement in the paperwork that the foreign flight reviews are not sufficient to fulfill the us requirement of a valid and logged BFR might prevent others from making the same mistake as I did.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Private Pilot from another country was unaware of the private pilot license requirements when flying in the United States.

Narrative: I got aware of the fact that I do need a BFR by a United States (US) flight instructor and a logged entry of the BFR to be allowed to fly in the United States. So far I was assuming that flight reviews [from my foreign country] every two years do fulfill the requirements.I did get the US certificate based on my [foreign] license in [the past]; on the license it states that certificate is only valid if [foreign] license is valid. I am not aware that I was instructed that I would need a US BFR when I received the license.I was checked out at two flying schools and one flying club for renting airplanes. To get checked out these flying school of course I had to fly with an instructor and had flight and ground instructions; I could have easily asked for a BFR endorsement if I had known about the requirement but I did not. I could not find any documentation related to getting the US license in my records that clearly points out that I do need a US BFR. It is clear to me that it is my responsibility to know the relevant rules; but there is a difference between knowing the rule and truly understanding it. In my case I somehow came to the conclusion my [foreign] flight reviews are sufficient.I found out about the requirement because I was asked by the FAA to provide a copy of my flight review. In the context of this request I started to research and found on the [from an online source] webpage the clear explanation stating that I do need a valid US BFR to be allowed to fly in the US and that the native review is not sufficient.Since I was taking flying lessons anyhow I immediately asked my flight instructor to conduct a BFR and log it. Now; knowing about this requirement I will always make sure I have a valid US BFR logged. With respect to new pilots getting a US license based on their foreign license it might be appropriate to review the documentation that comes with the mailed license. To include a written statement in the paperwork that the foreign flight reviews are not sufficient to fulfill the US requirement of a valid and logged BFR might prevent others from making the same mistake as I did.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.