FAA plans to require pilots to replace paper certificate with plastic one

FAA plans to require pilots to replace paper certificate with plastic one

The FAA is developing a rule that would require all pilots to obtain a plastic pilot certificate within two years (five years for other airmen certificates). The plastic certificates, which the FAA is already issuing for new and replacement certificates, include a hologram making them tamper- and counterfeit-resistant.

"AOPA has supported the idea of a more durable and attractive pilot certificate for years," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of Government and Technical Affairs. "The new certificate is an important step toward issuing a pilot license that will have the airman's photo as mandated by Congress last year."

As an interim measure requested by AOPA, the FAA issued a rule in October 2002, requiring pilots to carry a government-issued photo ID as well as a pilot certificate. This latest action further augments that requirement.

The FAA has been issuing the new plastic certificates since August 2003. Anyone getting a new certificate or rating automatically gets a plastic certificate. And if a pilot needs to replace a paper certificate, the cost is only $2.

Or free. If, for privacy or security reasons a pilot wants to remove his or her social security number from the pilot certificate, the FAA will send a new plastic certificate at no charge. Visit the FAA's Airmen's Services Web site to request the change.

January 20, 2005