Blockchains Could Improve Aviation Docs for Pilots

The underlying technology behind cryptocurrency has potential benefits for aviation.

Jason Depew

Thursday, December 09, 2021 at 10:05 AM ET

Verified

Could blockchains help make paperwork easier to deal with? Jason Depew thinks so. Credit: Adobe Stock

Key Takeaways:

Blockchain technology, distinct from cryptocurrency, is presented as a solution to modernize aviation by providing secure, public, and unalterable digital ledgers.
It could replace outdated paper pilot and medical certificates with verifiable digital records, improving security, preventing forgery or loss, and streamlining FAA inspections.
Blockchain-based systems would enhance the integrity and accessibility of pilot flight hours and aircraft maintenance records, preventing falsification and simplifying verification for all stakeholders.
Implementing blockchain across these areas promises to make aviation more secure, simplify pilots' lives, and increase the FAA's effectiveness through digitalized, trustworthy documentation.

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We’ve told you that cryptocurrency is not an investment. But a blockchain—the underlying technology behind cryptocurrency—could help make life a lot easier for pilots.

What is a Blockchain?

It’s a ledger, made visible to the entire world, and stored on a wide network of computers. Some brilliant encryption protocols protect the integrity of all the data on the blockchain, making it inordinately difficult for someone to alter any records after they’ve been logged.