Yes, my understanding is that if I went to the FSDO with my stack of supporting documentation (including my CATS MCI test results), they would process it and issue me the approporate certificate for free.

I'm here in SAT, and a bunch of IP's out at Randolph AFB have gone a slightly different route. A local DPE reviews the paperwork for a nominal fee ($40), issues the appropriate certificate on the spot, and gets all the paperwork where it needs to go.

Maybe the $40 is a waste of money for something I could handcarry myself, but I had heard some mixed reviews on some FSDO's being better/worse at the process. Guess I'm a lemming, but I'm just gonna cough up the $40 and go with the sure thing.


Thanks for lesson/syllabus inputs. I'm kinda leaning towards the asa "Complete Private Pilot" book & syllabus or the Sporty's products right now. Comments?