Allows pilots to use digital or physical copies of their FAA airman certificates for inspections.
Tim Burchett
Representative
TN-2
The Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act allows pilots to use digital copies of their airman certificates, including mobile certificates issued by the FAA, for FAA inspections. This provides pilots with more flexibility by allowing them to use electronic devices or cloud storage to present their credentials. The FAA must update its regulations within one year to reflect these changes.
Ditch the Plastic? New Bill Lets Pilots Show Digital Certificates During FAA Checks
This bill, called the "Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act," updates the rules for how pilots present their credentials during official inspections. It directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to accept either the traditional physical pilot certificate or a digital version displayed on an electronic device or accessed via cloud storage. The FAA has one year from the Act's passage to get its regulations in line with this change.
Paper or Pixels: Your Pilot Credentials Go Digital
So, what does this mean on the ground (or in the cockpit)? If you're a pilot undergoing an FAA inspection, you'll have the option to pull up your airman certificate—the official document proving you're qualified to fly—on your phone or tablet instead of digging out the physical card. The bill specifically mentions the possibility of FAA-issued "mobile certificates," signaling a move towards officially sanctioned digital credentials. This change essentially brings FAA procedures into the digital age, offering pilots more flexibility and potentially streamlining the inspection process by allowing readily accessible electronic proof of certification.