MCN Study Course

CENTERLINE THRUST POLICY: According to the following FAA Memorandum dated August 1st, 2018, and the updated FSIMS job guide, Centerline Thrust restrictions will no longer be issued on pilot certificates issued on the basis of Military Competency. In addition, anyone who has a centerline thrust restriction appearing on their certificate can apply to have it removed.

- Please click here to read the Memorandum.

- Please click here to read the FSIMS job guide.

As of October 15, 2018, the traditional MCA and MCH exams were replaced with a new, one-size-fits-all military competency commercial pilot test called MCN (Military Competence Non-Category). It still accomplishes for you what the old exams did. Call anytime if you have questions.

Two specific Military Competency conversions are allowed by 14 CFR 61.73. They are Mil Comp to Commercial Pilot/Instrument, and Mil Comp to Flight Instructor. This web page is dedicated just to Mil Comp to Commercial/Instrument. See our Military Competency Instructor page for more details on Flight Instructor issuances.

Military Competency to Commercial / Instrument Pilot:

This is the process thru which you, a U.S. military pilot training graduate, get your FAA commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating. It's simple... you just take a written test and then turn in some paperwork to the FAA.

No matter where you live, you can download our study course, study the minimum questions (approximately 345), instead of the full 965-question FAA test engine, go to the nearest free testing center (or commercial PSI testing center), and pass the test with ease.

• You won't study more questions than those that can show up on your test.
• The learning platform downloads and installs on your device.
• You don't need an internet connection to study with our courses.
• Receive Automatic courseware updates (when you do have an Internet connection) 24-hours a day to keep up with the fluid pace of FAA changes.
• Study at your convenience, at your computer, at your pace, on your schedule.
• Have personal telephone support available to you 24 hours a day!
• Take your exam at the testing center of your choice, anywhere.
• Learning platform software is available for PC's with Windows Vista/7/8/10/11 or later, for 64-bit iPads with IOS 10 or later, and for Macs with OS 10.10.5 or later..

How much does the Military Competency Commercial course enrollment cost?
Our Military Competency commercial course (MCN) is $45. The nation-wide price for the test with PSI is usually $175 (though the price may vary depending on location).

What paperwork do I have to turn in for this certificate?
Click here for a complete guide to turning in the paperwork.

How do I enroll in the study course?
Call us during our signup hours any day of the year at 1-940-642-4945, and you'll receive your username and password to start studying right away.

Where do I take the test?
You can take your test at any commercial FAA testing center or for free at most military installations. Click on the link below to find your nearest FAA testing location.

Find your Nearest FAA Testing Location

What do I receive from the FAA for taking this Military Competency test?
They will give you a pilot certificate (they call them 'certificates instead of 'licenses') at the commercial level. It will include Airplane Single Engine Land if you flew single engine planes during pilot training (T-6. T-34). it will include Airplane Multiengine Land if you flew multiengine planes during pilot training (T-38. T-1. T-37). it will include Helicopter if you flew helicopters during training, and it will include Instrument Airplane or Instrument Helicopter as appropriate (this instrument rating is good for any aircraft you have now or get added in the future, single or multiengine. land or sea). Of course, any privileges you had on your FAA pilot certificate before going to military pilot training carry forward so you don't lose anything.

Powered-Lift Pilots and Instructors Info

Do I have to have a current FAA medical to do this?
No. you don't have to have a current medical to get your military competency certificate issued to you.

How long does this process take?
It will take you 4 to 5 hours to study for the test with our study course. The test itself will take you 20 minutes. Then all you have to do is run down to the nearest Designated Pilot Examiner or FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and turn in the paperwork. Click here for details on finding your nearest FAA representative and completing the paperwork.

Do I have to wait until after I graduate from pilot training to take the test?
No. you can take the test before you graduate. You just have to wait until after graduation to turn in the paperwork to the FAA.

ICAO situation #1: I am a member of a foreign military who is graduating from U.S. military pilot training. Am I eligible for an FAA military competency commercial pilot certificate?
You might be eligible, but you must be remaining assigned to a U.S. military squadron after pilot training as a pilot or instructor pilot, and you must be able to show that you are assigned to that squadron for purposes other than receiving flight training. Call us at 940-642-4945 if you have a question about your particular situation. Click here for the applicable regulatory text.

ICAO situation #2: I am a foreign military pilot or instructor pilot serving with the U.S. armed forces as a pilot or as an instructor pilot. Am I eligible for an FAA military competency commercial pilot certificate?
Yes, you are. Click here for the applicable regulatory text.

Note: When you enroll in a course, your enrollment is limited to only one person and only one study device (the learning science in our system is predicated on studying from one device). There is no way to print the study course content, so you must study at a computer/iPad (with the rapid pace of FAA changes, paper gets old too quickly). Your study enrollment is valid until the day you take the FAA exam, but you can not exceed one year. It is best if the computer/iPad you study from has Internet access (in order to receive automated courseware updates), though Internet access is not required to study.

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