In order to be a pilot, one must past a medical exam. The medical is given by a certified aviation medical examiner. It is his or her job to ensure that the individual is fit for flying. Things which are looked for is eye sight, heart conditions, brain conditions, and physiological tests. Any of these things, plus many others can lead to a pilot being unsafe while piloting an aircraft. The three levels of medicals have their own limitations and abilities. While students only need a third class medical, airline pilots need a first class medical.
For more information on Aviation medicals, look through FAR part 61.23.
For more information on Aviation medicals, look through FAR part 61.23.
First Class Medical
First class certificates are required for pilots intending to be pilot in command in an air carrier service, requiring an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. The first class medical is the strictest out of the three medicals, which is why it’s needed for the highest level of piloting.
For pilots under 40 years of age, the first class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, one year from the date of issuance. For all others, they are valid until the last day of the month, six months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a second class medical certificate until the last day of the month, twelve months after the certificate was issued, thereafter the privileges of a third class medical until the last day of the month, twenty four months after the medical was issued. Pilots who have a first class medical don’t typically wait until they’re in third medical class status to renew their certificate.
For pilots under 40 years of age, the first class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, one year from the date of issuance. For all others, they are valid until the last day of the month, six months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a second class medical certificate until the last day of the month, twelve months after the certificate was issued, thereafter the privileges of a third class medical until the last day of the month, twenty four months after the medical was issued. Pilots who have a first class medical don’t typically wait until they’re in third medical class status to renew their certificate.
Second Class Medical
A second class medical is required for those intending to exercise the privileges of the commercial pilot certificate. It is possible to obtain a commercial pilot certificate while holding a third class medical, but the licensee cannot exercise privileges beyond that of a private pilot. The main focus of the second class medical is 20/20 vision for corrected eyes and 20/40 for uncorrected eyes.
Second class certificates are valid until the last day of the month, twelve months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a third class medical certificate.
Second class certificates are valid until the last day of the month, twelve months after they were issued. The certificate holder may then only exercise the privileges of a third class medical certificate.
Third Class Medical
Student pilots are only required to obtain a third class medical. Third class certifications require the least involved examinations of all medical certifications. They are required for those intending to be pilot-in-command of an aircraft under the Private or Recreational pilot certificates or while exercising solo privileges as a student pilot.
In order to qualify for a third class medical, the applicant must show signs of 20/40 in each eye, confirmation of color vision, no signs of psychosis or substance dependence, proper hearing as well as no conditions of a discharge within the nose throat or ears.
For pilots under 40 years of age, third class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, five years from the date of issue. For all others, they expire on the last day of the month they were issued, two years from the date of issue
In order to qualify for a third class medical, the applicant must show signs of 20/40 in each eye, confirmation of color vision, no signs of psychosis or substance dependence, proper hearing as well as no conditions of a discharge within the nose throat or ears.
For pilots under 40 years of age, third class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, five years from the date of issue. For all others, they expire on the last day of the month they were issued, two years from the date of issue
Statement Of Demonstrated Ability - SODA
At the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon, a Statement of Demonstrated Ability may be granted to a person who has a medically disqualifying condition, which is static or nonprogressive, and who has been found capable of performing airman duties without endangering public safety. A SODA does not expire and authorizes a designated Examiner to issue a medical certificate of a specified class if the Examiner finds that the condition described on the SODA has not adversely changed.