You Can Fly - 2020 edition - 25

MEDICAL CERTIFICATION OPTIONS

BY MIKE COLLINS

FIT TO FLY?

What you must know about medical certification

A

pilot certificate, once earned, is generally yours for life. To
exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate in a powered
aircraft, however, you also must have a current medical certification, obtained after a physical examination by an aviation
medical examiner (AME, simply an FAA-designated physician).
The only exception is for sport pilots, who with a valid driver's
license can self-assess that they are medically safe to fly. Three
levels of medical certification correlate to the privileges granted
by different pilot certificates.
Pilots who exercise airline transport pilot (ATP) privileges-
airline and certain other professional pilots-require a first class
medical, valid for ATP privileges for six calendar months for pilots
age 40 and over. If under 40, the first class is valid for 12 months.
Pilots flying commercially-charter flights, crop dusting, and
similar activities-must have a second class medical, valid for commercial privileges for 12 months.
Private and recreational pilots-flying for pleasure or personal business, but not for hire-need only a third class medical. This certificate is
valid for 24 months for holders over age 40, and 60 months if 40 or younger.
Before soloing, a student pilot must obtain a third class medical certificate
from a designated AME. Students who aspire to fly professionally should consider
obtaining a first class medical instead, to ensure there's no unforeseen health issue
that might prevent them from landing that airline job. After obtaining an initial FAA
medical certificate, most private pilots have the option of transitioning to BasicMed,
a simpler process requiring a physical exam at least every 48 months by any state-licensed physician.
Perfect vision is not required, although you must be able to see 20/20 or better
in each eye, with or without correction, for a first or second class medical; 20/40 or
better in each eye for third class.
There are 15 specific disqualifying conditions, including severe personality
disorder, psychosis, substance dependence/abuse, epilepsy, and a variety of heart
conditions (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, cardiac
valve replacement, permanent cardiac pacemaker implant, or heart replacement).

However, even some of these can qualify
for medical certification if health has
improved and enough time has passed.
Under some circumstances strokes
and "ministrokes" can be reconsidered
after one to two years of recovery. And
recent FAA rule changes have made it
possible for people with insulin-treated
diabetes to qualify for commercial flying
opportunities.

ALISON SEIFFER

MEDICAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

FIRST CLASS

SECOND CLASS

THIRD CLASS

TYPE OF FLYING

AIRLINE TRANSPORT

COMMERCIAL

PRIVATE, STUDENT, RECREATIONAL

DURATION

6 MONTHS IF AGE 40
OR OLDER; 12 MONTHS
IF UNDER AGE 40

12 MONTHS

2 YEARS IF AGE 40 OR OLDER; 5 YEARS IF LESS
THAN 40 AT EXAM

DISTANT VISION

20/20 IN EACH EYE, WITH OR WITHOUT
GLASSES/CONTACTS

NEAR VISION

20/40 IN EACH EYE, WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES/CONTACTS

COLOR VISION

COLORS NECESSARY FOR SAFE PERFORMANCE OF AIRMAN DUTIES

HEARING

CONVERSATIONAL VOICE AT 6 FEET WITH BOTH EARS, OR AUDIOMETRY

20/40 IN EACH EYE WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES/
CONTACTS

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG 25
http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG
You Can Fly - 2020 edition

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