Recertifying?

Bubba Jimmy

Filing Flight Plan
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Apr 16, 2015
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Display name:
Jim Burke
I received my VFR general aviation airman's certificate in 1991 but I stopped flying after only three years because I was diagnosed with diabetes and went on insulin. At that time, you automatically lost your medical certification. I've thought many times about re-certifying under the provisions that came around later to allow diabetics to fly under controlled circumstances. But, I never complied with the requirement to notify the FAA of address changes since I never figured I'd every be flying again.

Fast forward to today - I've tried updating my address at the FAA site, but it requires inputting my airman's certificate number. I cannot for the life of me find my old cert. I've not been able to find a way to obtain it so I can get into compliance and begin the process of retraining. Any suggestions?
 
If you never changed it, your cert number from back then was your SSN.
 
If your SSN doesn't work, call your local Flight Standards District Office for assistance.

And welcome back. You may find this site useful in figuring out how to get back up to speed.
 
Wow, thanks. That was easy and simple once I knew it was my SS#. They even let me remove that as the number and I should receive a new cert in the mail in 2 weeks. Time to start looking for a CFI it looks like :yesnod:
 
Welcome back ,have a fun time.
 
Really? Automatically? I don't want to switch. That way I never forget my #
Some people are concerned about having their identity stolen because someone gets their SSN. If that's not you, don't sweat it. Otherwise, as noted above, it's quick and easy to do on line.
 
Yes, mine got gratuitously switched with some certificate change (my instrument rating I think or it might have just been on some address change).

The SSN isn't as big of an issue these days as your driver's license number which since people started getting their panties in a wad about the SSN has become the new defacto banking identification number (which is a major reason I won't show ID to some retail clown for use of a credit card).
 
When I got back flying a couple years ago I saw they would change it if you asked. Meh. If someone wants my identity they can have it.:D

Besides, my name, rank SSN and maybe DOB are on many, many pages of orders with lots of other people from my time in Uncle Sugar's service. Its not the most guarded secret anymore.


Good luck to the OP and if you don't have it already I would get your medical back before dropping $$$ on a BFR.
 
I received my VFR general aviation airman's certificate in 1991 but I stopped flying after only three years because I was diagnosed with diabetes and went on insulin. At that time, you automatically lost your medical certification. I've thought many times about re-certifying under the provisions that came around later to allow diabetics to fly under controlled circumstances. But, I never complied with the requirement to notify the FAA of address changes since I never figured I'd every be flying again.

Fast forward to today - I've tried updating my address at the FAA site, but it requires inputting my airman's certificate number. I cannot for the life of me find my old cert. I've not been able to find a way to obtain it so I can get into compliance and begin the process of retraining. Any suggestions?

FYI. These days you need a plastic license and when those were issued the vast majority of pilots got new license numbers. Here's an overview.
http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2008/February/28/FAA-mandates-plastic-pilot-certificates
 
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