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TSA Regs: US Citizen Seeking Instrument Flight Training, Passport Card

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FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating, Student Pilot

Under TSA regulations, a US citizen seeking training towards an instrument rating must prove their US citizenship. Is a valid "US passport card" a valid form of proof of US Citizenship? I see that a valid US passport is acceptable, but I'm not sure about a "passport card"?

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1 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Aug 21, 2021

    The TSA regulation 49 CFR § 1552.3 – Flight training says in part:

    “(h) U.S. citizens and nationals and Department of Defense endorsees. A flight school must determine whether an individual is a citizen or national of the United States, or a Department of Defense endorsee, prior to providing flight training to the individual.
    (1) U.S. citizens and nationals. To establish U.S. citizenship or nationality an individual must present to the flight school his or her:
    (i) Valid, unexpired United States passport;”

    It does not specify if the passport is in a book form or card form.

    From the website https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/passport-card.html

    What’s the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
    A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose: proving your U.S. citizenship and identity.

    So my reading of the TSA requirement is that an unexpired passport of the United States is required, it does not specify the form of the passport, book or card and the US passport service says both may be used for the purpose of proving your US citizenship and identity and calls both of them a passport. I would accept it.

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