On Jan. 13, 2020, the FAA will launch changes to the way it tests all applicants for an FAA airman certificate for all certificated pilots, including drone pilots.
One of the most important changes is the requirement that all applicants obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test.
The FTN allows the applicant and any certifying officer the ability to pull up airman information in a consistent format, leaving little room for errors associated with an applicant’s name, according to FAA officials.
Previously, name inconsistencies could lead to returned files and lengthy delays in the certification process, agency officials explained.
IACRA is the web-based certification/rating application that guides the user through the FAA’s airman application process.
The FAA will host four webinars to explain the new testing system, including the FTN requirement:
- Thursday, December 19, 2019 – 10 a.m. EST
- Thursday, December 19, 2019 – 3 p.m. EST
- Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – 10 a.m. EST
- Wednesday, January 8, 2020 – 3 p.m. EST
Webinar Format
Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Webinar sessions are hosted in audio and visual format via GoToWebinar.
You must download the GoToWebinar software on your computer, smartphone/tablet app.
On the day of the webinar you can access the session via the join link in your confirmation email, or using your 9-digit Webinar ID.
You are encouraged to read the GoToWebinar How-To Guide ahead of the webinar.
Questions about the webinar or the test? Email [email protected].
For more information about the new testing system, please visit Airman Certificate Testing Service (ACTS).
They do what bureaucracies do: think up stuff to justify their existence. My pet peeve (and I have many) is the ELT, a hair brained device, a perfect example of incompetent design and regulatory burden. Just today, a hangar neighbor received a call that his ELT was broadcasting and asked if it was for real. It was not, but somehow went off. The ELT has a lot of ridiculous aspects. False alarms are common. It can easily trigger a false alarm. It can only be tested between the hour and 5 minutes after. The testing requirements are not feasible for the owner, but many avionics shops don’t have testing equipment. The manuals are long and complicated, and testing varies by manufacturer. Why such complexity for something so simple. Why not a simple portable personal locator beacon instead of this complex installation in the plane? How safe is safe enough?
Another is the creation of DOT in 1965 ( or thereabouts). Until then the FAA had sole jurisdiction of aviation. But our geniuses in DC decided to merge all transportation entities under DOT, even though aviation has absolutely nothing to do with highways, railroads or ships. Or these entities with each other.
But it does create another layer of bureaucracy and makes decisions go even slower. I recall during the failed effort to change the medical certification rules to allow sport pilots to fly simple general aviation,
planes, it died when the proposal was sent to DOT “for review”. No known decision was ever sent back, just no response at all. Probably what the FAA wanted in the first place, but this extra layer gave them a way out. It’s maddening that this stuff just grows and grows. What is needed is for stakeholders to have a real say in FAA decision making. The stakeholders might consist of Airlines, General Aviation, Manufacturers, and the FAA itself. Each of these 4 entities would have real voting powers in FAA decisions. This might go a long way to prevent some of the abuses and wasteful bureaucracy.
When the weight of the paperwork becomes more than the aeroplane. All flying will cease……
Sorry for my mistake. That’s not Skirrel, but Squirrel
I totally agree with Skirrel, and I have exactly the same conditions he has
I’ve been in aviation for 52 years. It’s becoming absolutely ridiculous. We’re just starting to jump through hoops, its only going to get worse. Like Germany in 1936.
If your AME doesn’t know a med you’re required to take to go overseas, he won’t look it up. He’ll write a note and you’ll be paying through the nose and jumping through hoops, because he knows everything, and if not, he won’t admit it. He’s too smart. He’ll write a note that you need 2 seperate mental exams, rather then doing his research and acquiring some knowledge. Like real doctors do. It’ll only cost you $7500 and all the crap finding your medical records from 18 years ago. God help us all. Our poor children, just think what it’ll be like for them!
FAA is not a pilot’s friend for over fifty years I thought they were but they are not I’m suspended right now for a late Registration and accusing me of flying with out it this is not true, they illegally entered my hanger trying to find other charges, they are not there to help you they will find a way to take your license do not trust them
“”‘for all certificated pilots”
Is this going to morph into another rule to make already licensed pilots an additional hoop to jump through.
I actually feel that is one of the reasons for the ADS-B requirement, which will in the future be a way to track and charge the private or GA pilot user fees.
If there is a concern about student pilots, then maybe a more thorough vetting process for allowing foreign nationals in this country for flight training.
There is an obvious reason for our shortage of pilots in this country; the FAA has removed way too much of the joy of the job that we all remember so well as they stuffed their own pockets with every fee, charge and aggravation they could dream up!
You’re RIGHT ON-TARGET, Bob. That’s exactly what’s coming down the line.
ADS-B is just the first step in ”boiling the frog’ – a luke-warm temperature to start things off, get everyone inculcated and comfortable with “Next Gen” and then after that, turn up the heat incrementally. Whatever happened to Trump turning BACK the regulations? Did he forget about the FAA bureaucrats?
ADS-B is touted as making airspace safer, but IMHO, it’s more about tracking and surveillance – and CONTROL of the airspace. If the AvGas fuel gouging weren’t bad enough (and auto-gas as well), think about your “Next Gen” toll-road in the sky fees they could impose! Pilots need to be looking out the window and scanning the sky if VFR their own personal situational awareness – not staring at some $5,000 glass screen. There’s too much gaming gadgetry and not enough real-skill piloting these days!
Making ADS-B mandatory might be okay for the regulated commercial airlines under Part 121, but not for your average Part 91pilot. Just look at the cost. I for one like the steam gauges and yes, maybe a portable GPS for the yoke and some add-ons to get WX, music, whatever, but being mandatorily required to fork out THOUSANDS of bucks on account of some bureaucrat just doesn’t fly with me.
Look at what the bureaucratic blenders are doing here in WA state with the new toll-road tunnel in Seattle! Have you seen the DOT TV commercials? They’re selling everyone on getting their “Good to Go Pass’ with the carrot-on-the string routine, like nice little discounts and other “benefits” – and once you’re signed into their little program, from there on out you’re a member of the dull roll of the leech patrol club – and then THEY can up the charge anytime they wish and automatically deduct $$ from your bank account… and later on maybe even traffic infraction tickets or whatever else their sneaky little minds think up!!!
Just imagine the possibilities with ADS-B for the bureaucratic blenders!
This needs to be re-evaluated and ADS-B should be “OPTIONAL” for Part 91 ops.
The FCC did this same thing a number of years ago. They call it FTN as well and I have one. I assume this is a different number but maybe they are the same.
Why is it that every change the FAA proposes makes it more difficult for pilots and easier for them to track our every movement?
It’s not like there are an increasing number of students/pilots. I’m pretty sure the numbers are continually decreasing and this kind of BS may be part of the reason why.
Exactly! My love for flying hasn’t decreased one iota in all these years but I’m no longer willing to put up with the hassle and expense required b the Fat Ast Aeronauts to fly anything requiring their involvement.