The FAA requires all pilots to maintain specific medical standards.
Though piloting is generally an enjoyable experience, tragedy can occur if a pilot encounters a health scare during flight. This is why the FAA takes precaution by requiring all pilots to undergo yearly thorough physical examinations to ensure the pilot’s health is in good standing. As defined by the FAA a medical certificate is “acceptable evidence of physical fitness on a form prescribed by the Administrator”. Below you will find three types of medical certificates available, their requirements, and information regarding Student Pilot Certificates. These medical guidelines and further explanation of each can be found directly on the FAA’s website, under Pilot Medical Certification Questions and Answers.
Minimum requirements:
- Be 16 years old to fly solo
- Be 17 years old to receive your pilot certificate
- Read, speak, and understand English
- Hold at least a third-class medical certificate for private and recreational certificates. Sport pilots must hold at least a current and valid U.S. driver’s license.
If you hold a First Class Medical Certificate
| And on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate you were… | And you are conducting an operation requiring… | Then your medical certificate expires, for that operation, at the end of the last day of the… |
| Under age 40 | An airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots | The 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Age 40 or older | An airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flight crew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday. | The 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Any age | A commercial pilot certificate or an air traffic control tower operator certificate, | The 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Under age 40 | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Age 40 or older | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | The 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
If you hold a Second Class Medical Certificate
| And on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate you were… | And you are conducting an operation requiring… | Then your medical certificate expires, for that operation, at the end of the last day of the… |
| Any age | An airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate. | The 12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Under age 40 | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | The 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Age 40 or older | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | The 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
If you hold a Third Class Medical Certificate
| And on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate you were… | And you are conducting an operation requiring… | Then your medical certificate expires, for that operation, at the end of the last day of the… |
| Under age 40 | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | The 60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
| Age 40 or older | A recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification). | The 24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate. |
Student Pilot Certificate
No. Effective April 1, 2016, Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) are not authorized to issue combination Airman Medical and Student Pilot certificates to applicants. To obtain a student pilot certificate, you must:
- Complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) or by paper using FAA Form 8710-1 and submit it to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor. The authorized individual will process your application and submit the required documents to the Airmen Certification Branch. Once reviewed by Airman Certification Branch, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application.
- For students interested in pursuing an Airline Pilot career, we highly recommend applying for a First Class Medical Certificate as soon as possible to ensure a smoother transition.
- All VA students enrolling into Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine or CFI programs must obtain a Second Class Medical Certificate. Students are required to keep their medical certificates current at all times while training under the VA program. Applicants that Enroll into the ATP (ASEL) or AMEL must apply for and keep a current First Class Medical Certificate.
Applicants
As of 10/1/2012 FAA Aviation Medical Examiners are no longer authorized to use the old application Form 8500-8. All applicants must create an account and fill out their application online using the FAA’s MedXPress Portal.
Helpful Tip: We suggest reviewing the MedXPress User Guide in order to review the information you will be submitting online beforehand. The online application process has been known to be time-sensitive and time-out if the applicant is taking longer to fill in their information, causing said applicants to restart again. Be sure to have all documents necessary to help you fill out your information accurately and efficiently.
Once your forms have been completed and submitted, applicants will then need to print their Form 8500-8 summary and schedule an appointment with a medical examiner. Be sure to bring your Summary in order to review it with your examiner.
Recommended Local Examiners
Dr. Scott Cohen – 7 Upper Holland Rd., Richboro, Pa 18954 – (215) 504-8700
Dr. George Green – 1235 Old York Rd., Suite. 110, Abington, Pa 19001 – (215) 517-1000
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Legacy Aviation also recommends joining the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). There is a Membership Fee to join, however, we strongly believe this organization is the best advocate for all pilots.