JRA Paper Certifications

If you have been around aviation for awhile and still have the old style "paper" airman certificates (yes I am an old fart), you may want to read on. In January of 2007, the FAA issued a NPRM that was a carryover from 1990. Basically in 1990, the DEA pressured the FAA to come up with a plan to slow the use of counterfeit airman certificates and aircraft registration. The FAA dropped the NPRM in 1990 but with the tragic events of 2001, the TSA and the FAA has reissued the NPRM as a security measure. If the NPRM becomes effect it would change three regulations.

14CFR61. Holder of a "Paper" Pilot Certificate will have to request a new "Plastic" certificate within 1 year of implementation of the ruling. After one year, those holding the paper certificate will not be allowed to exercise their privileges of that certificate. Cost to airman would be $2.00.

14CFR65. Holder of a "Paper" Mechanic Certificate will have to request a new "Plastic" certificate within 5 years of implementation of the ruling. After five years, those holding the paper certificate will not be allowed to exercise their privileges of that certificate. Cost to airman would be $2.00.

14CFR47. Requires the owner or person transferring ownership of an aircraft to return the aircraft registration within 5 days of the transfer. The signature on the reverse side of the registration must have a typed or printed name along side the signature .

I have no problem with the FAA wanting to change certificates to eliminate counterfeiting, helping to stop drug trafficking or terrorist activities. Actually I am all for it. I don't even mind spending the $4.00 it cost me to change my certificates. However, what bothers me is that this would be a perfect time to change the certificate to include Charles Taylor, the third Wright Brother, and to get an accurate count of the number of AMT's that are still vertical and breathing.

When I started A&P School over twenty years ago, I was told there was a mechanic shortage. I was ecstatic knowing that when I graduated, I would have my pick of employment opportunities. I happened to pick up a trade magazine the other day and guess what, we have a mechanic shortage. Imagine my surprise. So if the FAA did an accurate reissue of ALL certificates, they could give the Department of Labor a good number rather than a guess of how many AMT's we have out in the field and how many still work in the industry (I know a couple who decided to leave aviation and start a motorcycle repair shop - they make more money and don't work nights - and they charge more per hour than the big MRO's). I am in favor of time limits on the certificate, but only to maintain an accurate database of who is out there.

Okay I'll jump off the soapbox. The best thing about this NPRM is that as AMT's, we have five years to change our certificates once it goes Final Rule. We can change our certificates by mailing in a card, or writing a letter, or from home on the Internet. So it is easy to do, matter of fact I just got my replacements a couple of weeks ago. One more thing before I jump off my soapbox, they need to put original issue date on the card, makes us old timers feel good. J

Jeff Gruber is an Assistant Professor at Columbus State Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology. Jeff holds an A&P, IA, DME, and Pilot certificates. Jeff is also the Great Lakes Regional Director for PAMA and the Chairman of the Government and Technical Issues Committee.