(From Aero-News.net)

FAA Issues Final Rule On Plastic Pilot Certificates
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 non-pilot 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 to 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
check ride 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.