It’s Just A Certificate

What is that green piece of plastic sent to you by our friends in Oklahoma City called? If you answer license, crack open the regulations. The FAA issues certificates, not licenses. This bit of precision is useful for winning bar bets with flying buddies-serves them right for not reading IFR-as well as understanding the regulatory structure of certification; particularly, the advantages of certification over licensing.

Key Takeaways:

• The FAA issues pilot *certificates*, which are permanent testaments of truth and competence, fundamentally differing from *licenses* that grant temporary permission.
• Pilot certificates offer significant legal protections for the holder, placing the burden of proof on the FAA for revocation and providing multiple layers of appeal, unlike many licenses with limited recourse.
• Beyond the primary certificate, aviator privileges are structured through *ratings* (e.g., aircraft category or class), specific *authorizations* for certain operations, and instructor-granted *endorsements*.

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