Breaking News: Paper Airman Certificates Expire March 31, 2010

Pilots who haven't replaced their paper airman certificate with the required new plastic certificate risk being unable to exercise their privileges at the end of March. All paper airman certificates will expire on March, 31. 2010. You must switch from paper to plastic. The cost to change is only $2.00. 

Temporary student and flight instructor certificates are not impacted by the rules. Those with non-pilot certificates such as ground instructor, flight engineers, and mechanics will have until March 31. 2013.

Duration of pilot and instructor certificates.
(a) General. The holder of a certificate with an expiration date may not, after that date, exercise the privileges of that certificate.
(b) Student pilot certificate.

(1) For student pilots who have not reached their 40th birthday, the student pilot certificate does not expire until 60 calendar months after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

(2) For student pilots who have reached their 40th birthday, the student pilot certificate does not expire until 24 calendar months after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

(3) For student pilots seeking a glider rating, balloon rating, or a sport pilot certificate, the student pilot certificate does not expire until 60 calendar months after the month of the date issued, regardless of the person's age.

(c) Other pilot certificates. A pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) issued under this part is issued without a specific expiration date. The holder of a pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license may exercise the privileges of that certificate only while that person's foreign pilot license is effective.

(d) Flight instructor certificate. Except as specified in §61.197(b), a flight instructor certificate expires 24 calendar months from the month in which it was issued, renewed, or reinstated, as appropriate.

(e) Ground instructor certificate. A ground instructor certificate is issued without a specific expiration date.

(f) Return of certificates. The holder of any airman certificate that is issued under this part, and that has been suspended or revoked, must return that certificate to the FAA when requested to do so by the Administrator.

(g) Duration of pilot certificates. Except for a temporary certificate issued under §61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of this section, the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010.

There are two ways to replace an airmen certificate.

1. You can request a replacement certificate online. This method requires that you register with Online Services.
2. Or you can mail us:
   
   • an Application for Replacement of Lost, Destroyed, or Paper Airman Certificate (PDF) 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 (U.S. funds), made payable to FAA, for each certificate you request.

You can mail your request to:
Federal Aviation Administration
Airmen Certification Branch, AFS-760
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082

Important Information

• Allow 4 to 6 weeks for mail processing and 7 to 10 days for online processing
• We can only issue one copy of each certificate
• We can't place the original date of issue on a replacement certificate
• We can't issue expired certificates. However, you can request an expired CFI letter at no charge.
• If your current address is listed as a Post Office Box (P.O. Box), General Delivery, Rural Route, or Star Route, please provide directions or a map for locating your residence.