ICAO has been working on this for quite some time plus has a number of papers and presentations on the system they are developing for international acceptance. Eventually all/most certification documents will have a digital path within the ICAO member states.
They don't necessarily have to be images, just whatever the FAA decides is a "copy" of a certificate. And there won't be any confusion unless the FAA starts issuing SSL certs under 49 USC section 44703:
Domestically, you would need the regulatory/legal framework to change to permit the use of digital copies which is what the bill above I believe starts the process of that change. Internationally, the issue was to have a single ID validation system which is what ICAO has been working on. And since there are about 6 countries that already use digital aviation certificates for domestic operations, I think it will become more mainline once ICAO finalizes the process acceptable to all ICAO members.
I think the fear is the implication that it'd require apps and such that would create records directly with the gov.
How is a sheriff's deputy going to do that today other than tactilely? Maybe they can, but I doubt if most even know how. But they could certainly match the name to your DL and copy down the certificate number.
Apple has their wallet app built into the iPhone for anything that supports it. I have all my insurance cards in it and I was actually able to add my tickets to Oshkosh to it as well. IDK if android has an equivalent but I believe it's an open standard anyone can implement- seems like the ideal solution. I don't want another account and app to manage either.
As a retired sheriff’s deputy, if I responded to a mishap and the pilot didn’t have his certificate, I wouldn’t be concerned about it. Just document the identity and leave it to the FAA to determine his status as a pilot. Hopefully there aren’t any LEOs doing ramp checks, as it’s an FAA matter.
It actually matters what state you are in as a few have their own laws beyond the FARs which give the ability to request pilot certificates by LEOs and other specified individuals in the course of their duties.
That's fine for you, but the FAA says I have to provide it if asked.
The issue you raised comes from integrating databases, not digital credentials. The DMV and FAA could theoretically do that now, even though my driver's license and pilot certificate are both physical.
And it’s really nonsensical that we need hard copies for the FAA. It’s entirely reasonable that an FAA inspector has access in the field to their database to confirm a pilot’s certificate status. Even then, no reason why all of these IDs, licenses, and certificates shouldn’t be acceptable in digital form.
Me too. I move as many things into my phone Wallet as I can.
www.forbes.com
We talking Barney Fife? I guess that depends on how backward that sheriff department is, particularly in a state that uses digital licenses. Most of the sheriff cars I see are equipped with technology. I don’t know (maybe I’ll ask next time I see one), but chances are if I’m stopped for a traffic infraction, they have already run my plates as part of their due diligence.
To verify pilot certificates? Which departments?
Sorry. I thought you were talking about drivers licenses. Pilot certificates? Although they can ask and we have to comply,
I agree with your overall post, but I don't understand the single point of failure. Why would a digital ID not be accessible in some way other than your phone.
But it’s much, much easier if your credentials and records are digital and e.g. on your phone, particularly when no people are involved and control can thereby be efficient, and done without checks and balances.
China already cracked a 24 bit RSA code using quantum computing. RSA comes in 1024, 2048 and 4096 bit codes. For non-computer people, modern computers are 64-bit systems, 64 bits in one computer word. It takes 8 bits to define a character on your keyboard. So you can think of the RSA 4096 key as 512 letters. The average number of letters in an English sentence is 14-15 words, for an average of 50 letters or so. So 512 letters means the encryption key is a sentence of 140-160 words. [updated my arithmetic]
I've found it depends on what state you are in as some states have rather robust "aeronautics" laws on the books and provide the training to enforce them. Unfortunately, have even seen that once the FSDO ASI concluded their work, those same individuals had to deal with the state level violations which tend to have their own penalties, etc. Can't post at the moment but can post some examples later or PM links if you like.
Its been my understanding the "physical possession" context noted in 61.3 and in other rules relates to the possession of a physical certificate in hand with copies or other reproductions not valid. Regardless, its also my understanding once the FAA finalizes their digital certificate process it will be addressed specifically by a new rule or a rule revision similar to the change from paper to plastic certificates. Plus the new certificates will meet the ICAO requirements for validation of digital certificates.
The actual wording is, "Has in the person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft...a pilot certificate issued under this part."
A number of states have things like flying under the influence and reckless flying laws. And, after all, if you kill someone with an airplane, you might well be charged with a homicide offense. I used to have a signature block that listed "Aviation Regulation Fallacies and Half-Truths." One was, "The FAA is the only legal body that controls what we do in aircraft."
I still don't get it. Our pilot certificates and associated info are already in a publicly searchable database. What additional information is getting out by letting me have an electronic copy of that same publicly searchable certificate on my phone?
I guess I'm still not sure what additional information having a digital copy of say my driver's license or insurance cards makes available. Seems to me they already have all that anyway and this is just letting me use it. I mean the police already have technology that scans license plates automatically and they can bring up the owner and their driving record/any warrants from just that. They already have your info without digital ID, what I'm not seeing is how the digital ID gives them anything new/puts anything else out there.
...and it's too damn late anyway.
I was actually thinking more mundane but impactful tech debt. Stuff like HeartBleed leaking arbitrary data, and over looked configuration allowing SQL injections, or various exploits that will occur from time to time. Stuff that massive companies spend many thousands of man-hours securing against.
The records are already digital. The databases could be combined today if desired. Putting the data on my phone doesn't make it easier for some third party to combine the info, since the backend is already not accessible than my phone.
I took your #4 comment to be in the same context as the three prior ones that a local LEO would not know a digital version was invalid. Regardless, the rest of that comment stands.
Except these are the types of rules I was referring to. No flying required.
