01/10/2017
All Pilots STOP NOW and Read This
On December 23, 2016, the FAA sent a notice out to all pilots with active medical certificates indicating that under the provisions of the "Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century", also known as "Air21" and "Public Law 106-181", all pilot names and addresses are to be released to the public unless the pilot specifically opts out of the release. Mindstar Aviation STRONGLY suggests that all pilots opt out of this release of personal information by visiting the FAA website at:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/change_releasability/
to change your preferences. While it appears that your name and ratings cannot be withheld from the public, the release of additional PII (Personally Identifiable Information) like addresses and phone numbers is an ongoing problem making you increasingly vulnerable to exploits and scams.
According to Wikipedia:
Section 715, "Public Availability of Airmen Records", allows the Federal Aviation Administration to release the names, addresses, and ratings held by nearly all pilots with a medical certificate. This includes the release of information to private businesses, including those not necessarily having any relation to aviation safety (the intent of the bill). The FAA must notify airmen of this clause via mail and notify them that they have 60 days to opt out of the inclusion of their personal information into the public record. If no action is taken within 60 days, then an opt-in is assumed.
The Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (PDF, 7 KB) , and other statutory requirements require us to make airmen certificate information available to the public. Airmen that meet the active criteria received written notice of these requirements. Airmen may request to withhold add...