CASA Media Release - Friday, 2 July 2004
New anti-forgery pilot licences
New forgery-resistant photographic licences are to be issued to all Australian pilots.
Over the next two years more than 33,000 new photographic pilot licences with an identification card featuring passport-style security will be progressively produced.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is producing the photographic licences to improve security in the aviation industry.
People applying for a new licence - as well as existing pilots upgrading to the photographic licence - will need to provide proof of identity by completing an identity check form before their application will be processed. This will include providing certified photos.
Air transport pilots will be the first to be offered the new photographic licences, as well as all new student pilots and pilots converting foreign licences.
The new pilot licence identification card is being produced using technology similar to that used in the Australian passport.
The card has embedded images that cannot be tampered with and is virtually impossible to copy.
Pilots will need to renew the licence identification card every five years.
The card will be inserted into the current booklet-style licence carried by pilots that contains details of all qualifications. This will now include a copy of the same photograph embedded in the licence identification card.
CASA’s chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says combining the licence identity card and the current licence provides better security without compromising the ability to change licence details whenever necessary.
“Pilots will still be able to quickly and easily get their licence reprinted when they add extra qualifications or when other details change,” Mr Byron says.
“The identification card now gives CASA and people in the aviation industry greater certainty about the identity of pilots.
“This is an important initiative and I urge pilots to move over to the new photographic licences as quickly as possible.”
CASA will not be charging pilots for converting their licences to the new photographic format. For more details on photographic licences go to:
Photo licences for Flight Crew on the CASA web site.
Media contact
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR0421