New Student Certificate April 1

[DesertNomad]

I see that after April 1, to get a Student Certificate you will need to go through a new process via the FSDO and get a plastic certificate.

One article I read said that if you hold a current, non-expired combo certificate (medical and student certificate on paper), you can replace it with a plastic card that does not expire. is this true?

If so, I think it would be a good idea for my wife to get a student certificate now, then replace it with a plastic card.

Thoughts?

 

[OkieAviator]

Wouldn't think it's really an issue unless she thinks she'll solo in a few weeks after medical.

 

[flyingron]

I have grave doubts about the FAA's rollout of this fiasco. I'd encourage her to get a paper one while she can. The FAA expects to turn around student pilot certificates in 3 weeks but they are notoriously BAD at meeting their own performance goals. Further nobody in the FAA understands TEST so it's likely the system will be going down in flames under the initial load.'

Most people don't have to worry about their student certificates expiring (for you young whipper snappers they're good for five years).

 

[mondtster]

Most people don't have to worry about their student certificates expiring (for you young whipper snappers they're good for five years).

Yep. The way I read the new requirements, there is no need to get the paper student pilot certificate then turn around and get the plastic. The paper certificate will continue to be valid after April 1st. Unless the OP's wife is on an extended training program she will finish before the paper certificate expires.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Yep. The way I read the new requirements, there is no need to get the paper student pilot certificate then turn around and get the plastic. The paper certificate will continue to be valid after April 1st. Unless the OP's wife is on an extended training program she will finish before the paper certificate expires.

That's what it says. Student certificates issued before April 1 continue to be valid for their original term.

Nomad, how old is your wife (rhetorical - don't answer that!). Depending, her student certificate will expire between 24 and 60 months after it was issued. Think she will need a replacement?