Definition
The official FAA application form (FAA Form 8710-1) used by an applicant to apply for a pilot certificate or to add a rating to an existing certificate. It records the applicant's personal information, pilot experience, training history, and the certificate or rating being sought, and is reviewed and signed by the recommending instructor and the examiner conducting the practical test.
Plain English
It is the paperwork a pilot fills in when they want the FAA to issue them a new certificate or add a new rating to the one they already hold. The instructor signs it to show the applicant is ready, and the examiner uses it on the day of the checkride.
Context Anchor
Seen during practical test preparation, instructor recommendations, IACRA submissions, and FAA checkride paperwork.
Derivation
“Airman” is the FAA’s formal word for a person certified to operate or support aircraft. “Certificate” comes from a word meaning “made certain,” which fits an FAA document that officially confirms a person’s privileges. “Rating” means an added authorization placed on a certificate, not a score or grade.
Why Pilots Care
The completed form is required before the FAA will authorize a practical test or issue the certificate or rating.
Intuition Check
Do not read “rating” here as a performance grade. In this FAA context, a rating is an added authorization, such as permission to fly a certain class of aircraft or use certain operating privileges.
Example Sentence 1
Before the checkride, the instructor reviewed the student's Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application to make sure every section was complete and the flight time totals were accurate.
Example Sentence 2
After passing the checkride the examiner signed the Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application so the new rating could be issued.