Medical Certification
First up is a valid medical certificate. You need this to obtain an airman certificate. Glider and free balloon pilots are not required to hold a medical certificate. If your a sport pilot you can hold either a medical certificate or a valid state drivers license.
To qualify for a medical certificate requires an examination by an aviation medical examiner (AME), who is trained in aviation medicine designated by the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI).
There are three classes of medical certificates. Which one you have to qualify for depends on the type of flying the pilot plans to do.
Starting from the simplest to the more complex certificate, the first is a third-class medical certificate. It is required for a private or recreational pilot certificate. It is valid for three years (3) for those pilots under the age of forty (40). For those over forty (40) the certificate is valid for two (2) years.
A commercial pilot requires at least a second-class medical certificate which is valid for one (1) year
A first-class medical certificate is required for airline transport pilots and are valid for six (6) months.
The standards are tougher for the higher classes of certificates. A pilot with a higher class medical certificate has met the requirements for the lower classes as well.
Since the required medical class applies only when exercising the privileges of the pilot certificate for which it is required, a first-class medical certificate would be valid for 1 year if exercising the privileges of a commercial certificate, and 2 or 3 years, as appropriate, for exercising the privileges of a private or recreational certificate. The same applies for a second-class medical certificate.
The standards for medical certification are contained in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 67 and the requirements for obtaining medical certificates can be found in 14 CFR part 61.
Students who have physical limitations, such as impaired vision, loss of a limb, or hearing impairment may be issued a medical certificate valid for “student pilot privileges only” while learning to fly.
Pilots with disabilities may require special equipment installed in the aircraft, such as hand controls for pilots with paraplegia. Some disabilities necessitate a limitation on the individual’s certificate; for example, impaired hearing would require the limitation “not valid for flight requiring the use of radio.” When all the knowledge, experience, and proficiency requirements have been met and a student can demonstrate the ability to operate the aircraft with the normal level of safety, a “statement of demonstrated ability” (SODA) can be issued. This waiver, or SODA, is valid as long as the physical impairment does not worsen. Contact the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for more information on this subject.
Pilot certification is important, for obvious reasons, and you should know the qualifications and limitations for the certificate you need.
