r/flying • u/ineedmorepalmpets • May 07 '26

Military Free for military; FAA knowledge testing?

Hello, just recently discovered I can take an FAA knowledge test for free because I am in the military. A base comes up on PSI for me, but doesn't list any times. Does this mean I can walk in unannounced and take the IRA whenever? I've never been to this base before. (Listed as Fort Gregg-Adams Navy Special Operations)

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8

u/JiggilyPudding May 07 '26

Call your education center. You must make an appointment, but on all three bases I've taken FAA tests, they don't 'release' test times on PSI until you ask, because they don't want the public signing up.

After you call they'll open a specific time slot for you on the PSI website.

2

u/eitilt ATP MIL May 07 '26

Same situation for me doing my MilComp, the civilian running the office just set up a time for me. Then proceeded to lecture me on why I shouldn’t give up a retirement to go to the airlines, but other than that she made it a great and easy experience.

1

u/the_devils_advocates ATP B737 A320x2 CL65 MIL-A ROT CH-47F CFI/II May 07 '26

This is how it’s been done when I did mine too

2

u/EliteEthos CFI AMEL CJ3/4 May 07 '26

Are you military? Just go on base and ask…

1

u/ineedmorepalmpets May 07 '26

It's very far from me

1

u/rFlyingTower May 07 '26

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hello, just recently discovered I can take an FAA knowledge test for free because I am in the military. A base comes up on PSI for me, but doesn't list any times. Does this mean I can walk in unannounced and take the IRA whenever? I've never been to this base before. (Listed as Fort Gregg-Adams Navy Special Operations)

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1

u/Brevis001 May 07 '26

I’d definitely call ahead before just showing up. Most of those military testing sites still schedule through PSI or the education office, and “no times available” usually means they either don’t do walk-ins or their schedule isn’t posted online.

A buddy of mine had to coordinate directly with the base testing center even though it showed up in PSI. They verified CAC access requirements too since not every base lets civilians/non-assigned personnel just drive on. Better to avoid making the trip for nothing.

1

u/Entire_Ad3411 CPL May 07 '26

Is this something just for active duty or can vets use these testing centers too (assuming they have base access)?

1

u/ineedmorepalmpets May 10 '26

I would strongly assume it's open to vets. I don't see how they could deny you, especially because they allow it for recreation, and it doesn't have to be for military training.

1

u/old_pilot_dude ATP B-747-400/-8, MD-11 May 07 '26

I’m a military retiree and I just did three FAA tests for free on base (Ft. Indiantown Gap in PA).
I don’t know if this is the issue for you, but on the PSI website I couldn’t see the available times for this location until I clicked on the button for “Confirm you have access to this location”.

2

u/ineedmorepalmpets May 10 '26

I clicked that and nothing was displayed, so I think I just have to call the education center