If Your Pilot's License is Expired: Actions to Take
In the world of aviation, maintaining a valid pilot certificate is crucial for taking to the skies. However, circumstances may arise that cause a pilot's certificate to expire. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to renew an expired FAA pilot certificate and regain currency.
Firstly, it's essential to determine the type of expiration and renewal eligibility. If the certificate has been expired for a short period, the FAA allows renewal by complying with certain requirements and demonstrating recent experience. On the other hand, if the certificate has been expired for an extended time, additional steps such as retesting may be required.
Next, the pilot must meet continuing education and recency requirements. This typically involves fulfilling any required training mandated for certificate renewal and completing specific flight hours or maneuvers with a certified instructor to regain currency.
Depending on the lapse length, the FAA may require passing written exams, practical tests, or proficiency checks to ensure the pilot’s knowledge and skills meet current standards.
Maintaining or renewing a medical certification is also crucial. Renewal of the pilot certificate is contingent on holding an appropriate valid medical certificate, such as a third-class medical for private pilots. Medical certificates for those under 40 are valid for 5 years, and for those 40 or older, valid for 2 years. An expired medical must be renewed via an FAA medical examiner or BasicMed, as applicable.
Pilots living abroad must nominate a US-based agent for service of FAA documents, as required by recent FAA rules. All renewal applications and documentation should be submitted through the FAA’s designated portals.
Finally, the pilot must complete the formal application process, submit the renewal application, supporting documents, and fees as required by the FAA. The FAA will assess the application for validity, ensure compliance with standards, and update the certificate if all criteria are met.
Additional notes include the importance of keeping medical and flight experience current to avoid lengthy requalification processes. Participating in the FAA's WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program satisfies the flight review requirement and improves pilot proficiency. A flight review is required if it's been more than 24 calendar months since you got your pilot certificate.
Currency refers to meeting the minimum legal requirements set forth by the FAA for your particular pilot certificate or rating within a specific time frame. Some rules and regulations have likely changed since you last flew, such as the requirement for a plastic pilot certificate and a photo ID to act as PIC, and the ADS-B Out requirements that came into effect in 2020.
To carry passengers during the daytime, you need to have completed three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days. To carry passengers at night, you need to perform the three takeoffs and three landings between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, with full-stop landings.
If your last FAA medical expired before July 14, 2006, you're required to see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to get a third-class medical first. A flight review consists of at least one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training. You can use any state-licensed physician to perform the physical exam under BasicMed, but it must adhere to FAA specifications and be redone every four years.
In summary, renewing an expired FAA pilot certificate involves meeting continuing education and recency requirements, maintaining a valid medical certificate, possibly retaking exams if required, updating FAA records (including designating a US address if abroad), and completing the formal application process as outlined by the FAA.
- For a short term certificate expiration, a pilot can renew their FAA pilot certificate by complying with certain requirements and demonstrating recent experience.
- If the certificate has been expired for an extended time, additional steps such as retesting may be required to meet the FAA’s current standards.
- To maintain or renew a medical certificate, pilots need to hold an appropriate valid medical certificate, such as a third-class medical for private pilots, with medical certificates for those under 40 valid for 5 years and for those 40 or older valid for 2 years.
- During the renewal process, pilots must also adhere to the FAA's rules and regulations, as some requirements like the ADS-B Out requirements have changed in recent years.
