Pilot certificate pictures ?

Tom-D

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Tom-D
What happened to this?

On Nov. 18, 2010, the FAA issued a proposed rule that would require all pilot certificates to include a photo of the certificate holder.
 
I think the FAA is a little overwhelmed right now with aircraft registration renewals and trying to get funded by Congress. I suspect that pilot photos fell off the radar.
 
I recall reading somewhere that the FAA wasn't in favor of the pictures but homeland insecurity was behind the rule. Last I heard they dumped the idea due to the cost of implementing it and the lack of usefulness. They still require you to carry some govt issued photo id so why have a pic on the license. I do know they wanted a govt id pic tied to my pilot and A&P license when I removed my Social Sec # from them a year or so back. I had to give them a passport or drivers license number and permission to access the photos.

Frank
 
I don't really care, other than from a cost perspective. What on earth is the problem with requiring someone to flip a drivers license or passport in addition to the pilot certificate if it really matters???????? Why reinvent the wheel, for the 721st time?????
 
I don't really care, other than from a cost perspective. What on earth is the problem with requiring someone to flip a drivers license or passport in addition to the pilot certificate if it really matters???????? Why reinvent the wheel, for the 721st time?????

No shiat, right? I keep my passport in my flight gear.

The reason is to look like you're doing something, in this case about a non-existent problem. Welcome to CYA stupidity.
 
Even if they do get pics on the pilot certificate, what do you want to bet the the TSA mensa members don't accept them when you try to board a commercial flight?
 
I recall reading somewhere that the FAA wasn't in favor of the pictures but homeland insecurity was behind the rule. Last I heard they dumped the idea due to the cost of implementing it and the lack of usefulness.

Actually, the photo ID requirement appears to have been part of a law passed in 2004, so neither the FAA or DHS had anything to do with it. Odd to issue an NPRM for something allegedly mandated by congress. Here's a summary article from AOPA, though it doesn't appear to have been updated in the last few months: http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/regulatory/certificates.html
 
Actually, the photo ID requirement appears to have been part of a law passed in 2004, so neither the FAA or DHS had anything to do with it. Odd to issue an NPRM for something allegedly mandated by congress.

Not at all odd. Quite often Congressional law simply instructs the Executive (agency) to promulgate rules (regulations) to implement the pesky details. Ever heard of Obamacare? Quite often the timetables are busted especially when the law doesn't have companion $$ attached.
 
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Perhaps they are holding off because they know GA is a dying horse, and soon commercial aircraft will be piloted from the ground, so why waste the money?

Oops, it just occurred to me, since when does government care about wasting money?

The city of San Diego just re-striped the street my business is on, so now there is a pool going about which month this year they will re-surface it, then another pool is going for how long it will take them to dig the whole thing up to replace the water or sewer lines. I am not exaggerating, this is such a ridiculously common occurrence in San Diego, we actually have joked about starting a pool.

About five or so years ago the city tried to address the problem of lack of communications between city departments, so they spent several million on a computer system that never materialized or worked, so the problem continues. It seems they do not understand how to use a telephone.

John
 
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It would be easier if I could take my FAA credentials to my State DMV and they could then ammend my Driver's License with my Pilot License. Same way I got my motorcycle endorsement.
 
It would be easier if I could take my FAA credentials to my State DMV and they could then ammend my Driver's License with my Pilot License. Same way I got my motorcycle endorsement.

I'm sure that'd come with a $250 pilot licensing "fee". Not a good idea.
 
Didn't they just recently require everyone with a paper license get it replaced with plastic? Wouldnt it have been a better idea to require the photo change at the same time? At least have all the hassle at one time, instead of multiple hassles...
 
Even if they do get pics on the pilot certificate, what do you want to bet the the TSA mensa members don't accept them when you try to board a commercial flight?

I'm pretty sure that the picture pilot license is a congressional mandate.


I have a TWIC card (Transport Workers Identity Card, issued by TSA) that I use at the airport. In the many many times I have used it, it was only questioned 3 times and was settled quickly when I pointed to it on their list of approved IDs.

What I'm hoping will happen is that they make a consolidated access pass issued on a security check. That's basically what the TWIC card is for access to inland ports and waterways. I'm cool with carrying a security ID, no problems... One please though, lets make things a bit more efficient and have a single outlet security check. I have been through the same security check at least 20 times and that is on top of having even higher security clearances in the past and by multiple governments. This is grossly inefficient and expensive just wasting money willy nilly at "security projects" rather than having an efficient "security program". It's bad stewardship of funds is what it is. You can apply for whatever level of clearance and regardless of where you are be it an airport, seaport, government assignment... whatever, if 'x' security rating applies and your card rates that or higher, no further sweat, verify the biometrics and be on your way. At this point every program has its own check requirement and of course when you're traveling, your badge from one airport doesn't transfer to the next.
 
Didn't they just recently require everyone with a paper license get it replaced with plastic? Wouldnt it have been a better idea to require the photo change at the same time? At least have all the hassle at one time, instead of multiple hassles...

There you go thinking again! The government doesn't like it when you do that!:mad2:
 
I'm pretty sure that the picture pilot license is a congressional mandate.

I have a TWIC card (Transport Workers Identity Card, issued by TSA) that I use at the airport. In the many many times I have used it, it was only questioned 3 times and was settled quickly when I pointed to it on their list of approved IDs.

What I'm hoping will happen is that they make a consolidated access pass issued on a security check. That's basically what the TWIC card is for access to inland ports and waterways. I'm cool with carrying a security ID, no problems...
But I don't think a pilot's certificate is meant to be a security ID, picture or not. All is means is that you are licensed to fly a certain type of aircraft. AFAIK you are not subject to a background check unless you are foreign or you work for an air carrier which follows certain TSA programs.
 
But I don't think a pilot's certificate is meant to be a security ID, picture or not. All is means is that you are licensed to fly a certain type of aircraft. AFAIK you are not subject to a background check unless you are foreign or you work for an air carrier which follows certain TSA programs.

That may have changed. A driver's license wasn't meant to be a security ID either. My NE driver license renewal included a couple of dollar "security check surcharge" tacked onto the renewal fee.
 
SO WHAT THE HELL DOES A SSN MEAN!:mad2: German accent " Where are your papers!":hairraise: You must have papers!
 
That may have changed. A driver's license wasn't meant to be a security ID either.

Since the 'Real ID' act, they are intended to be a security ID.

The alternative would have been the issuance of a national ID card for things like commercial flying, but that would have really gotten peoples noses out of place.
 
Since the 'Real ID' act, they are intended to be a security ID.
But that's only to prove you are legally in the country, not a real criminal background check which is what I think Henning was talking about.
 
But that's only to prove you are legally in the country, not a real criminal background check which is what I think Henning was talking about.

The DL in the setting of commercial airlines is simply to prove that you are who you say you are in order for the name-check the airline runs to be effective.
 
I don't really care, other than from a cost perspective. What on earth is the problem with requiring someone to flip a drivers license or passport in addition to the pilot certificate if it really matters???????? Why reinvent the wheel, for the 721st time?????


Fees, control, more government intrusion, power?

Pick one or all.
 
Hilter would have fixed the "ID" fiasco long ago. :yes:

Yes, can tatoos be far behind? Maybe Zyclon B for us non-commercial pilots while going through the airport scanners?
 
I'm pretty sure that the picture pilot license is a congressional mandate.


I have a TWIC card (Transport Workers Identity Card, issued by TSA) that I use at the airport. In the many many times I have used it, it was only questioned 3 times and was settled quickly when I pointed to it on their list of approved IDs.

What I'm hoping will happen is that they make a consolidated access pass issued on a security check. That's basically what the TWIC card is for access to inland ports and waterways. I'm cool with carrying a security ID, no problems... One please though, lets make things a bit more efficient and have a single outlet security check. I have been through the same security check at least 20 times and that is on top of having even higher security clearances in the past and by multiple governments. This is grossly inefficient and expensive just wasting money willy nilly at "security projects" rather than having an efficient "security program". It's bad stewardship of funds is what it is. You can apply for whatever level of clearance and regardless of where you are be it an airport, seaport, government assignment... whatever, if 'x' security rating applies and your card rates that or higher, no further sweat, verify the biometrics and be on your way. At this point every program has its own check requirement and of course when you're traveling, your badge from one airport doesn't transfer to the next.

I have my "not a terrorist" card as well
 
Another case that shows us that the terrorist ( and there are some among us) are winning!
 
I wonder how many times Osama got the report, "I'm sorry Osama we could not carry out the attack. We didn't have proper I.D....."
 
What I see happening is this, we get a magical "security pass", photos on our pilot certificates, and eventually its not enough, and need additional government ID. I really don't see this problem going away. It might get "fixed" temporarily, but its a matter of time before additional ID is required once again.
 
The DL in the setting of commercial airlines is simply to prove that you are who you say you are in order for the name-check the airline runs to be effective.

How?

The name I use to order the ticket doesn't have to match my ID - my ID just has to match the piece of paper that I print and hand to the "document checker".
 
How?

The name I use to order the ticket doesn't have to match my ID - my ID just has to match the piece of paper that I print and hand to the "document checker".

I cannot believe that they still allow us to print our own boarding passes. It is the biggest gaping hole in the whole concept as I see it. First thing to go if I was airline security czar: Everyone has to check in with an agent, everyone has his pic taken at checking which pops up at the airline staffed security checkpoint when you enter the secured area. Cost 5 bucks more, tough.
 
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