Requires Changeover By March 2010

When it comes to the question of "paper or plastic?" the FAA has given its final answer. This week, the FAA released its final rule on the matter, announcing the required switch to plastic pilot certificates by March 31, 2010.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association states its members "overwhelmingly" supported the move, when the FAA first proposed the matter in 2005. In addition to being far more durable than traditional paper certificates, the plastic cards also offer greater resistance to counterfeiting.

Temporary, student, and flight instructor certificates are not impacted by the change. Those with nonpilot certificates -- such as ground instructors, flight engineers, and mechanics --  will have three additional years to change over to the plastic certificate.

Those pilots will a particular attachment to their paper certificates, or the original issuance date (the plastic certificate will have a new one,) will still be able to keep their paper certificates -- they just won't be able to use them to fly.

Pilots may request the plastic certificate through the FAA’s website, at a cost of $2. That fee will be waived, however, if you change your pilot certificate number from your Social Security number, according to the pilot advocacy group.

AOPA notes pilots might want to wait a few weeks before requesting their new certificates, as the FAA is currently processing replacement certificate for pilots who fly internationally to meet the "English proficient" endorsement required by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

If pilots should miss the 2010 deadline, they won’t have to take a checkride or any exams to get back in the air as pilot in command; they'll simply need to request the plastic certificate... but until they receive their new certificates, those pilots won't be able to fly as PIC.

FMI: Read The Final Rule, www.aopa.org