Medicals

[meritflyer]

There always seems to be a play on words with the whole medical duration, ect.

First Class - Valid for 6 calendar months. Required for to exercise privelages requiring an ATP. After its lapse, it still is a first class although its doesnt present first class privelages - reverts to second class.

Second Class - Valid for 12 calendar months. Required to exercise the privelages of a commercial pilot. After its lapse, it still is a second class although its privelages revert to a third class.

Third Class - Valid for 36 calendar months. Required to exercise the privelages of a CFI, PPL, or student pilot. After its lapse, you need another physical.

I understand there are age limitations that also exist.

Do I have all of those right?

[My Flight Surgeon]

This is what the FAA says:

• A first-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate. A first-class airman medical certificate is valid for 6 months plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination.
• A second-class airman medical certificate is required for commercial, non-airline duties (e.g., for crop dusters, corporate pilots) and is valid for 1 year plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination. Those exercising the privileges of a flight engineer certificate, a flight navigator certificate, or acting as air traffic control tower operator must hold a second-class airman medical certificate.
• A third-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate, or a student pilot certificate. A third-class airman medical certificate is valid for 3 years plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination for pilots under age 40 or for 2 years plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination for those pilots age 40 and over.

They are valid to the end of the relative month in which they were issues, i.e., a second class physical done today would expire January 31, 2008. The class 3 is valid for 3 years if it is issued prior to the 40th birthday and for 2 years if issued on or after the 40th birthday.

Crazy, isn;t it

[H46Bubba]

I never got that 3rd class for a CFI. Isn't being a CFI using your comercial certificate, if so it should apply to the 2nd class medical. Damned FAA always making things so complicated!

[My Flight Surgeon]

I agree but the info I posted is directly from the FAA. Makes no sense to me.

[Habu6972]

I turn 35 in June and my medical is due in May. From what I remember, an EKG is requred after one is 35. Do I need to have one done before my medical or can I wait another year once I'm 35? And does the medical examiner do this or does this need to be done by a cardiologist?

[Doug Taylor]

It happens during. In fact, I did my first with the good Doc.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is usually done at the time of the physical. AME's who do First Class medicals have EKG machines that are programmed to transmit the EKG to the FAA's computer in OKC.

[Habu6972]

That makes sense. The reason I asked was because I've received a couple of letters from AMEs and they stated the EKG had to done ahead of time. Thanks for the clarification.

[My Flight Surgeon]

We have a computerized EKG system in the office and transmit it to the FAA each day after we are done with flight physicals. I try to let the pilot know if there is anything that may be marginal on the EKG so if they get a letter form the FAA it is not a total shock and we are ready to get the proper evaluation done to keep them in the air.

We can also look at the strip before it is transmitted. Sometimes there is a technically poor strip that the FAA will ask to have repeated. It is much easier to repeat a marginal strip at the time of the physical than to have someone disrupt their schedule to come back to get a repeat EKG performed.

No surprises