Dustin SuchorFAA DPE Services · Phoenix area
Video appointment · 14 CFR 61.73

Military competency: your FAA certificate, by video

Military pilots can get an FAA commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, and military instructor pilots a flight instructor certificate, based on their military qualifications. Pass the military competency knowledge test, show the right records, and I issue the certificate.

Request this serviceCheck if you qualify

Do I qualify? A 30-second check

A guide only: I confirm eligibility from your records before your appointment.

Documents for pilots
  • An official U.S. Armed Forces aeronautical order of flight status as a rated military pilot.
  • An official U.S. Armed Forces form or logbook showing flight status as a rated military pilot.
  • An official U.S. Armed Forces aeronautical order showing graduation from a U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and a rating as a military pilot.
  • An official U.S. Armed Forces record showing you passed a pilot proficiency check and an instrument proficiency check in an aircraft as a military pilot.
Documents for instructors
  • An official record or order documenting your current or past qualification as a U.S. Armed Forces instructor pilot or pilot examiner for the instructor rating sought.
  • An official record or order documenting completion of a U.S. Armed Forces instructor pilot or pilot examiner training course, with an aircraft qualification appropriate to the rating sought.
  • An official record or order showing you passed an instructor pilot or pilot examiner proficiency check in an aircraft appropriate to the rating sought.

Acceptable records by service

ServiceRecord
U.S. Air ForceIndividual flight crew record (computer printout); AF Form 8, Certificate of Aircrew Qualification
U.S. ArmyDA Form 759, Individual Flight Record and Flight Certificate, Army
U.S. Coast GuardOPNAV Form 3710-31, Aviator's Flight Log Book; instrument qualification is in the "Qualification and Achievements" section
U.S. Marines and U.S. NavyOPNAV Form 3760-31, Aviator's Flight Logbook; OPNAV 3710/2, NATOPS Instrument Rating Request; or OPNAV 3760/32, NATOPS Flight Personnel Training and Qualification Jacket
Getting your records
  • Still serving: ask your unit or squadron flight records office for a copy of your flight record and your latest pilot and instrument proficiency check records.
  • Separated: your DD-214 (you can download it from milConnect) shows your service but not your flight qualifications, so it is not enough on its own. Request your flight records from your service's records office, or for older records from the National Personnel Records Center.
  • Not sure what you have? Upload what you have on your intake form and I will tell you if anything is missing before we meet.

The knowledge test

Pilots take the Military Competency (MCN) test; instructors take the Military Competency Instructor (MCI) test. Study material, testing requirements and testing centers are on the FAA Airmen Testing pages.

Getting your certificate

  1. Complete an application in IACRA for a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, or for a flight instructor certificate. Keep your FTN and password somewhere safe; you'll need them on the call.
  2. Request an appointment below. I'll send an intake link to upload your records and test report.
  3. We meet by video, I review your records with you, and you receive your temporary certificate.

Leaving the service? Start 12 months out

The certificate is easiest to get while you still have easy access to your flight records. Here is the order that works:

  1. 12 months outTake the Military Competency (MCN) knowledge test at an FAA testing center. Instructor pilots who want the CFI too can take the Military Competency Instructor (MCI) test. A passed test is good for 24 calendar months, so taking it early covers you through separation.
  2. 9 to 12 months outGet copies of your flight records while you still have access: your service's flight record or logbook, and the records of your most recent pilot and instrument proficiency checks. Keep them with your DD-214 when you get it.
  3. 6 months outComplete your application in IACRA and request a video appointment. We meet for about 30 minutes and you leave with your temporary FAA commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
  4. After thatThe commercial certificate is the step before most civilian flying jobs. Military pilots can apply for a restricted airline transport pilot (R-ATP) certificate with 750 hours total time as a pilot (14 CFR 61.160(a)), and instructor pilots can add the FAA flight instructor certificate the same way.

Already out of the service? You still qualify

There is no deadline. Former military pilots qualify under 14 CFR 61.73 for life, as long as you were not removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or disciplinary action involving aircraft operations. The steps are the same:

  1. Step 1Pass the Military Competency (MCN) knowledge test (and the MCI test for the CFI). It is good for 24 calendar months.
  2. Step 2Get your flight records. If you no longer have copies, request them from your service's records office or the National Personnel Records Center (Standard Form 180). Your DD-214 alone is not enough.
  3. Step 3Apply in IACRA and book the video appointment. You leave with your temporary certificate.

Details for your service

Questions military pilots ask

Who qualifies?

U.S. military pilots and former military pilots. You do not qualify if you were removed from flying status for lack of proficiency, or because of disciplinary action involving aircraft operations. Military pilots from other ICAO countries who are assigned to pilot duties (not flight training) in the U.S. Armed Forces may also apply.

Which certificates can I get?

Pilots can get a commercial pilot certificate with the matching category and class rating and an instrument rating. Current or former military instructor pilots and pilot examiners who hold a commercial or ATP certificate with instrument privileges can get a flight instructor certificate.

Do I have to take a knowledge test?

Yes. Pilots take the Military Competency (MCN) knowledge test. Instructors take the Military Competency Instructor (MCI) test, passed within the 24 calendar months before the month you apply. If you already hold a flight instructor certificate, you do not need the instructor test.

Is there a checkride or flight?

No. There is no flight. The certificate is based on your military records and your knowledge test, which we review together on a video call.

Does my military check have to be recent?

The rule requires a passed military pilot and instrument proficiency check in a military aircraft of the category, class and type, or 10 hours of pilot time as a military pilot in that category, class and type, completed before you apply. Send your records with your request and I will confirm they meet the requirement before your appointment.

I'm no longer in the military. Can I still apply?

Yes. Former military pilots are eligible, as long as you have the official records and were not removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or for disciplinary action involving aircraft operations.

How long does it take and what does it cost?

The video appointment takes about 30 minutes. The fee is $250 when your application is filed in IACRA, or $350 on a paper FAA Form 8710-1.

When do I get my certificate?

You receive a temporary certificate at the end of the video appointment. The FAA mails your permanent certificate.

Ready to start?

Request an appointment and I will send your personal intake link to upload your records.

Request an appointment

Rather email? info@faadpeservices.com