The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports that its Air Crew Card meets the requirements of the European JAA rules which state that all pilots must carry a photograph to identify themselves.

The AOPA says that its card is ‘just the job’ and also means that a passport is not put at risk if there is a problem with identity.

The card is the same size as a credit card and contains a sealed-in photograph of the holders and the holder’s name, pilot’s licence number and AOPA membership number together with a sample signature.

There is also a statement confirming that the holder is a registered and fully qualified member of an IAOPA organisation and is entitled to receive all rights and privileges associated with that membership.

AOPA chief executive Martin Robinson said: “Apart from having to prove to some European customs authorities that vat has been paid on the aircraft being flown, the AOPA Crew Card is a complete document in itself and contains everything a pilot in Europe needs to prove identity.”

He said it would also earn pilots discounts.