March 31 Deadline for Replacing Paper Pilot Certificates
 
Pilots who have not yet traded in their paper pilot certificates have until March 31, 2010, when the paper certificates are set to expire. If you’re still using paper, don’t delay. Pilots can no longer exercise the privileges of their paper pilot certificates after the March 31 deadline. Student certificates are not affected and certain non-pilot certificates, such as those issued to AMTs, are still valid for three more years before they need to be replaced.
 
Renewing a certificate can be done online or through the mail, and instruction can be found at:  http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificate … lacement/. Requesting a replacement certificate online requires creating an account with Airman Certification Online Services, which only takes a few minutes. Being registered can help you in the future with quicker processing of an address change or a replacement certificate request.
 
To process a request by mail, fill out and send in Form 8060-56 (10/09)—see above link—along with a $2 replacement fee. Make your check payable to FAA. New certificates will take four to six weeks to arrive with mail processing and seven to ten days for online processing. 

Sign Up Now to Receive Electronic Notification of Airworthiness Directives
 
Starting March 1, 2010, FAA will no longer mail paper copies of Airworthiness Directives to aircraft owners and operators. You can sign up to receive this information electronically. If you have not already done so, go to http://rgl.faa.gov and sign up to receive electronic copies of Airworthiness Directives (AD) and Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB). You can sign up by aircraft type as well as engine and propeller type. “This is an efficient and much faster way for you to receive important safety information,” explains Jennifer Fleming, FAA Information Program Manager.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Aircraft Ergonomics
 
Ergonomics, or human factors engineering, made its industrial debut during World War II out of the need to design more efficient and pilot-friendly aircraft. Cockpit design and comfort are even more important today and can make a crucial difference in safety. Read about the importance of integrating man and machine in “Aircraft Ergonomics 101” in the January/February 2010 issue of FAA Aviation News. Other articles in this issue address fatigue, decision making, aircraft design and technology.
Produced by the editors, FAA Aviation News, http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/
Address questions or comments to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it