Is plasticized a word? spell check passed it...and I thought I just made it up.
Anyway, most of you have probably heard this but for those who haven't I lovingly and without permission copied this from Aero-News network dot com.


Paper Airman Certificates No Longer Valid After March 31st
New Plastic Certificate Will Take Its Place

A little less than two years ago, the FAA announced that it would be replacing all paper airman certificates with plastic certificate that will be much more difficult to counterfeit. The deadline for replacing that certificate is approaching fast.

The changes were made in response to concerns raised in the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act. The purpose of this rule is to upgrade the quality of data and documents to assist federal, state, and local agencies to enforce the nation's drug laws.

The FAA reminds pilots that they will not be able to exercise flying priveleges using an old paper certificate after March 31st, 2010, except for a temporary certificate issued under 61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of CFR 61.19 (h).

There are two ways to replace an airmen certificate. You can request a replacement certificate online, which requires that you register with Online Services. Or you can mail an Application for Replacement of Lost, Destroyed, or Paper Airman Certificate form OR a signed, written request stating your:

* Name
* Date and place of birth
* Social security number and/or certificate number
* The reason you need a replacement

You must include a check or money order for $2, made payable to FAA, for each certificate you request.

Canadian pilots will also be getting a new licence format. Our new licences will resemble a passport booklet and include a passport style photo. We must also pass an 'English proficiency test' administered over the phone.

nofate wrote:Canadian pilots will also be getting a new licence format. Our new licences will resemble a passport booklet and include a passport style photo. We must also pass an 'English proficiency test' administered over the phone.

What?? The powers that be did away with the requirement that everything also has to be in French? My wife, who is Canadian, used to constantly bitch about the french labels on the cans always being on the visible side of the store shelf in BC....was pretty funny to listen to her...

AKGrouch wrote:

nofate wrote:Canadian pilots will also be getting a new licence format. Our new licences will resemble a passport booklet and include a passport style photo. We must also pass an 'English proficiency test' administered over the phone.

What?? The powers that be did away with the requirement that everything also has to be in French? My wife, who is Canadian, used to constantly bitch about the french labels on the cans always being on the visible side of the store shelf in BC....was pretty funny to listen to her...

It is legal to communicate over the radio in French in Quebec. I hear a lot of French in the skies over northern Ontario too. I also hear some heavy forgein accents too which are very hard to understand. It could cause some dangerous confusion around a busy airport environment. Since English is the language of international aviation it should be determined that one is proficient in the language before getting a pilot licence which allows you to fly anywhere. I hope I pass my language proficiency test (20 minutes administered over the phone).

There is an loop hole to get out of the 2$.


If you have a paper certificate then your pilot certificate number is your social security number. go here http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificate ... te_number/

and request a new pilot certificate sent free of charge with an new certificate number. Saves you 2 bucks.

Hey AGLevi; Thanks for the link. Tom

nofate,

Good luck on the language proficiency test. What a joke to take your money. I took the test (passed) and now have the new passport sized license. I will have to admit that my new US pilot license, is in a much handier form. I wonder how many even carry the Canadian license with them, (I won't). Steve

No problem hangertrash, I'll write up my invoice for my legal service in the amount of 10$ dollars and will have it sent it out to you right away. There will also be a processing fee of 2$ and an mailing fee of 1.50$*.

*Additional charge of .50 will apply to out of state residence.


haha just making an laugh