Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1933, The British Commonwealth, Europe, Near East and Africa, Volume II

Executive Agreement Series No. 48

711.5827/14

The Secretary of State to the Swedish Chargé (Beck-Friis)²⁹

Washington, September 8, 1933.

Sir: Reference is made to the negotiations which have taken place between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Sweden for the conclusion of a reciprocal arrangement between the United States of America and Sweden providing for the issuance by the one country of licenses to nationals of the other country authorizing them to pilot civil aircraft.

It is my understanding that it has been agreed in the course of the negotiations, now terminated, that this arrangement shall be as follows:

Arrangement between the United States of America and Sweden concerning the issuance by the one country of licenses to nationals of the other country authorizing them to pilot civil aircraft.

Article 1

The present arrangement between the United States of America and Sweden relates to the issuance by each country of licenses to nationals of the other country for the piloting of civil aircraft. The term “civil aircraft” shall be understood to mean aircraft used for private, industrial, commercial or transport purposes.

Article 2

(a) The Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden will issue pilots’ licenses to American nationals upon a showing that they are qualified under the regulations of that Office covering the licensing of pilots.

(b) The Department of Commerce of the United States of America will issue pilots’ licenses to Swedish nationals upon a showing that they are qualified under the regulations of that Department covering the licensing of pilots.

Article 3

(a) Pilots’ licenses issued by the Department of Commerce of the United States of America to Swedish nationals shall entitle them to the same privileges as are granted by pilots’ licenses issued to American nationals.

(b) Pilots’ licenses issued by the Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden to American nationals shall entitle them to the same privileges as are granted by pilots’ licenses issued to Swedish nationals.

Article 4

Pilots’ licenses issued to nationals of the one country by the competent authority of the other country shall not be construed to accord to the licensees the right to register aircraft in such other country.

Article 5

Pilots’ licenses issued to nationals of the one country by the competent authority of the other country shall not be construed to accord to the licensees the right to operate aircraft in air commerce wholly within territory of such other country reserved to national aircraft, unless the aircraft have been registered under the laws of the country issuing the pilots’ licenses.

Article 6

(a) Swedish nationals shall while holding valid pilot licenses issued by the Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden be permitted to operate in Continental United States of America, exclusive of Alaska, for non-industrial or non-commercial purposes for a period not exceeding six months from the time of entering that country, any civil aircraft registered by the Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden, and/or any civil aircraft registered by the United States Department of Commerce. The period of validity of the licenses first mentioned in this paragraph shall, for the purpose of this paragraph, include any renewal of the license by the pilot’s own government made after the pilot has entered Continental United States of America. No person to whom this provision applies shall be allowed to operate civil aircraft in Continental United States of America, exclusive of Alaska, for non-industrial or non-commercial purposes for a period of more than six months from the time of entering that country unless he shall, prior to the expiration of such period, have obtained a pilot license from the United States Department of Commerce in the manner provided for in this arrangement.

(b) American nationals shall while holding valid pilot licenses issued by the United States Department of Commerce be permitted to operate in Sweden for non-industrial or non-commercial purposes for a period not exceeding six months from the time of entering that country, any civil aircraft registered by the United States Department of Commerce, and/or any civil aircraft registered by the Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden. The period of validity of the licenses first mentioned in this paragraph shall, for the purpose of this paragraph, include any renewal of the license by the pilot’s own government made after the pilot has entered Sweden. No person to whom this provision applies shall be allowed to operate civil aircraft in Sweden for nonindustrial or non-commercial purposes for a period of more than six months from the time of entering that country unless he shall, prior to the expiration of such period, have obtained a pilot’s license from the Office of Civil Aviation (Luftfartsmyndigheten) of Sweden in the manner provided for in this arrangement.

(c) The conditions under which pilots of the nationality of either country may operate aircraft of their country in the other country, as provided for in this article, shall be as stipulated in the air navigation arrangement in force between the parties to this arrangement for the issuance of pilot licenses; and the conditions under which pilots of the nationality of either country may operate aircraft of the other country, as provided for in this article, shall be in accordance with the requirements of such other country.

Article 7

The present arrangement shall be subject to termination by either party upon sixty days’ notice given to the other party or by the enactment by either party of legislation inconsistent therewith.

I shall be glad to have you inform me whether the text of the arrangement herein set forth is as agreed to by your Government. If so, it is suggested that it should be understood that the arrangement will become effective on October 9, 1933.

Accept [etc.]

Cordell Hull

29. The same note, mutatis mutandis, with the text of the agreement in Swedish, was sent by the Swedish Chargé to the Secretary of State, September 8 (711.5827/15).