A proposed piece of legislation could soon modernize one of aviation’s long-standing paperwork requirements by allowing pilots to present electronic versions of their certificates instead of carrying physical documents.
The Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act, introduced by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee), has advanced out of committee and is now headed to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. If passed by the House, Senate, and signed into law, the bill would permit pilots to use digital copies of their pilot and medical certificates as valid proof of certification during FAA ramp checks or other official inspections.
Under current Federal Aviation Administration regulations, pilots are required to carry and present original, physical copies of their airman certificate and other documentation upon request. These requests can come from FAA inspectors, federal, state, or local law enforcement officers, or authorized representatives of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Forgetting a wallet—even unintentionally—can result in complications during an otherwise routine encounter.
The new bill would update those requirements by giving pilots two compliant options:
- A physical, original certificate, or
- A digital copy stored on an electronic device or cloud-based platform.
Rep. Burchett has framed the proposal as a practical update that reflects how professionals already manage essential information. “Everything we do is online nowadays,” he said when introducing the bill. “I don’t see a reason why our pilots should have to carry physical documents with them instead of keeping them on their phone like everything else.” He also noted that the change could make enforcement more efficient for inspectors and officers in the field.
If enacted, the legislation would require the FAA to revise its existing regulations to formally allow digital certificate presentation. While the bill does not eliminate the option to carry paper documents, it would provide flexibility for pilots who rely on smartphones or tablets as part of their standard flight kit.
For many in the aviation community, the Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act represents a small but meaningful step toward aligning regulatory practices with modern technology—reducing friction during inspections while maintaining the same standards of verification and safety.
