the ability to communicate effectively with the student pilot.  During the certification process, a flight instructor applicant  is tested on the practical application of these skills in specific  teaching situations. The flight instructor is crucial to the  scenario-based training program endorsed by the FAA. He  or she is trained to function in the learning environment as an  advisor and guide for the learner. The duties, responsibilities,  and authority of the CFI include the following:  Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA). If  the application is completed on paper, it must be sent to  the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), who will  forward it to AFS-760. Once the application is processed, the  applicant will receive the Student Pilot Certificate by mail at  the address provided on the application.  The aforementioned process will become effective on April  1, 2016. The new certificate will be printed on a plastic card,  which will replace the paper certificate that was issued in the  past. The plastic card certificate will not have an expiration  date. Paper certificates issued prior to the new process will  still expire according to the date on the certificate; however,  under the new process, paper certificates cannot be renewed.  Once the paper certificate expires, the Student Pilot must  submit a new application under the new process. Another  significant change in the new process is that flight instructors  will now make endorsements for solo privileges in the  Student Pilot’s logbook, instead of endorsing the Student  Pilot Certificate.  Should a student pilot find the selected CFI is not training in  a manner conducive for learning, or the student and CFI do  not have compatible schedules, the student pilot should find  another CFI. Choosing the right CFI is important because the  quality of instruction and the knowledge and skills acquired  from their flight instructor affect a student pilot’s entire  flying career.  The first step in becoming a pilot is to select a type of aircraft.  FAA rules for obtaining a pilot’s certificate differ depending  on the type of aircraft flown. Individuals can choose among  airplanes, gyroplanes, weight-shift, helicopters, powered  parachutes, gliders, balloons, or airships. A pilot does not  need a certificate to fly ultralight vehicles.  A student pilot is one who is being trained by an instructor  pilot for his or her first full certificate, and is permitted  to fly alone (solo) under specific, limited circumstances.  Before a student pilot may be endorsed to fly solo, that  student must have a Student Pilot Certificate. There are  multiple ways that an aspiring pilot can obtain their Student  Pilot Certificate. The application may be processed by an  FAA inspector or technician, an FAA-Designated Pilot  Examiner, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), or an Airman  Certification Representative (ACR). If the application is  completed electronically, the authorized person will submit  the application to the FAA’s Airman Certification Branch  (AFS-760) in Oklahoma City, OK, via the Integrated  A medical certificate is obtained by passing a physical  examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA- authorized AME. There are approximately 6,000  FAA-authorized AMEs in the nation. To find an AME near  The second step in becoming a pilot is to obtain a medical  certificate (if the choice of aircraft is an airplane, helicopter,  gyroplane, or an airship). (The FAA suggests the individual  get a medical certificate before beginning flight training to  avoid the expense of flight training that cannot be continued  due to a medical condition.) Balloon or glider pilots do not  need a medical certificate, but do need to write a statement  certifying that no medical defect exists that would prevent  them from piloting a balloon or glider. The new sport pilot  category does not require a medical examination; a driver’s  license can be used as proof of medical competence.  Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who  have physical disabilities which might limit, but not  prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest  FAA office. Anyone requesting an FAA Medical Clearance,  Medical Certificate, or Student Pilot Medical Certificate can  electronically complete an application through the FAA’s  MedXPress system available at https://medxpress.faa.gov/.  To be eligible for a Student Pilot Certificate, the applicant  must:  Medical Certification Requirements  The Student Pilot  Basic Requirements  • Be at least 16 years of age (14 years of age to pilot a  glider or balloon).  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the  English language.  • Orient the student to the scenario-based training  system  • Help the student become a confident planner and  inflight manager of each flight and a critical evaluator  of their own performance  • Help the student understand the knowledge  requirements present in real world applications  • Diagnose learning difficulties and help the student  overcome them  • Evaluate student progress and maintain appropriate  records  • Provide continuous review of student learning  1-20 