FAA vs EASA Pilot Licensing: Key Differences and How They Affect Your Flight Logbook

Introduction

For most aspiring pilots, the decision between training under the FAA in the U.S. or EASA in Europe usually comes down to one factor: cost. Flight training is expensive and price often drives the first choice of where and how to train.

But cost is not the whole story. Once you commit to a regulator, you are also committing to their licensing rules, training style, and logbook requirements. These differences matter later, whether you plan to fly only in one region or build a career that spans both.

This guide breaks down the key contrasts between FAA and EASA pilot licensing and explains how those differences affect your flight logbook and career path.

What Are FAA and EASA Pilot Licenses?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs pilot licensing in the United States under 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 141. Common certifications include:

• Private Pilot License (PPL)

• Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

• Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

  
  

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standardizes pilot licensing across EU and EFTA member states under Part-FCL (Flight Crew Licensing). Equivalent licenses include:

• PPL(A)

• CPL(A)

• ATPL(A)

Both are internationally recognized, but training, exams, and logging standards differ significantly.

Key Differences Between FAA and EASA Licensing

1. Flight Hour Requirements

FAA (United States) – per 14 CFR Part 61:

• PPL: Minimum 40 hours total time (20 dual, 10 solo)

• CPL: Minimum 250 hours total time

EASA (Europe) – per Part-FCL.210:

• PPL(A): Minimum 45 hours (25 dual, 10 solo)

• CPL(A): Minimum 200 hours total time

Note: Integrated EASA courses may reduce hours slightly, but modular paths usually meet or exceed these figures.

2. Training Philosophy

• FAA:

  • Greater emphasis on practical flight experience and instructor discretion.

  • Training can be under Part 61 (flexible, instructor-driven) or Part 141 (structured, syllabus-driven).

• EASA:

  • Highly standardized across member states.

  • Includes mandatory Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) before progressing to airline operations.

    
    

3. Theoretical Knowledge Exams

FAA:

• Fewer written exams (often one per license level).

• Multiple-choice format with focus on applied knowledge.

EASA:

• 14 theoretical exams for ATPL theory, even if applying for a CPL with ATPL credits.

• More in-depth coverage of topics like flight planning, meteorology, and human performance.

  
  

4. Medical Standards

• FAA: Medical certification under 14 CFR Part 67. Generally considered more flexible.

• EASA: Class 1 and Class 2 medicals per Part-MED, with stricter cardiovascular, vision, and hearing criteria.

  
  

5. License Recognition and Conversion

• FAA licenses are not automatically valid in EASA states and vice versa.

• Conversion from FAA to EASA (or reverse) typically requires:

  • Medical certificate from the new authority

  • Theory exam credits

  • Skills test with an approved examiner

  • English language proficiency check

    
    

For EASA details, see Part-FCL.025 on crediting flight time and licences.

How These Differences Affect Your Flight Logbook

FAA Logbook Standards

The FAA requires pilots to log all time used to meet certification, rating, or currency requirements. Per 14 CFR 61.51, entries must include:

• Date of flight

• Aircraft type and registration

• Flight time (PIC, SIC, solo, instrument, etc.)

• Location (departure and arrival)

• Remarks for training or endorsements

The FAA allows both paper and digital logbooks, with no mandated format.

EASA Logbook Standards

EASA specifies detailed logbook requirements in FCL.050, including:

• Date, departure and arrival aerodrome (ICAO codes)

• Aircraft type, variant, and registration

• Name of pilot in command

• Flight time in single-pilot or multi-pilot operations

• Simulator (FSTD) entries clearly marked

• Nature of flight (cross-country, night, IFR, etc.)

These details must be maintained in a format acceptable to the authority and available for inspection.

Managing Dual Compliance: FAA + EASA

If you fly under both authorities:

• Use a single logbook with all details required by the stricter standard (EASA) to satisfy both.

• Ensure entries can be filtered or exported in the correct format when presenting to each regulator.

• Keep digital backups for easier compliance checks.

  
  

Wingman Pilot Logbook: Your Dual-Authority Solution

Pilots operating internationally often face the hassle of double-logging or manually formatting hours to match FAA and EASA requirements.

The Wingman Pilot Logbook eliminates this problem by:

• Allowing customizable data fields for FAA and EASA formats

• Supporting automatic roster imports from 140+ airlines

• Providing regulator-compliant exports for both authorities with a single click

• Tracking progress toward multiple license hour requirements side-by-side

Whether you’re building FAA CPL hours or maintaining EASA ATPL compliance, Wingman ensures every flight is logged correctly without duplication.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	FAA License	EASA License
Minimum PPL Hours	40 hrs	45 hrs
Minimum CPL Hours	250 hrs	200 hrs
Theoretical Exams	1–3	14 ATPL theory
Training Flexibility	High	Standardized
Medical Standards	Less strict	Stricter
Logbook Requirements	Flexible	Detailed, structured
MCC Requirement	Not mandatory	Mandatory before airline ops

Final Thoughts

Both FAA and EASA licensing pathways can lead to a successful aviation career, but each demands different preparation and logbook discipline. If your career may span both regions, plan your training and record-keeping accordingly from day one.

With tools like Wingman Pilot Logbook, meeting both FAA and EASA requirements becomes simpler, more accurate, and audit-ready helping you focus on flying, not formatting.