FAA extends first, third class medicals

[Murdoughnut]

I wonder what the justification for this was - three years seemed like plenty enough time for the 3rd class - 5 years almost seems too much. Imagine what can happen to a person even in 5 years. Strange.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by pedro

why not? I got first class just to make sure. Are you basing that on pure finances?

No. If you go for an unneccesarily higher medical and have a problem with the tighter standards (like vision), you will potentially face a nightmare with the FAA getting any kind of medical.

You getting your first class just to make sure is different. That's a good idea for somebody thinking about getting into professional aviation. But for somebody with no intention of flying professionally, it makes no sense. But that's just me...

[tonyw]

The last medical I got was a first class. I'm still going to get that one because there is a possibility that I might instruct someday and I would need at least a second class to take the commercial.

Yes, I know you can instruct with a third class but in order to get the commercial, I need a second class.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by tonyw

The last medical I got was a first class. I'm still going to get that one because there is a possibility that I might instruct someday and I would need at least a second class to take the commercial.

Yes, I know you can instruct with a third class but in order to get the commercial, I need a second class.

Technically, you only need the second class to exercise the privileges of the commercial.

[pedro]

Originally Posted by PatrickCPS

Many people will advise to only get the class that you need. If you only need, say a third class, and you apply for a first, but you have something that will prohibit you from obtaining a first, the AME is obligated to deny your medical and report that fact. If it so happens that whatever prohibited you from obtaining the first would not have been an issue for a third, now you don't have a medical.

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

No. If you go for an unneccesarily higher medical and have a problem with the tighter standards (like vision), you will potentially face a nightmare with the FAA getting any kind of medical.<snip>

Thanks guys, thats good info. I had no idea that failing the first class would make it tougher to get a third class medical.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by tonyw

The last medical I got was a first class. I'm still going to get that one because there is a possibility that I might instruct someday and I would need at least a second class to take the commercial.

No, that's not true. You only need a 3rd class to take the commercial test. You could even take the ATP and have a 3rd class. The only time you would need the 2nd class is if you were operating as a commerical pilot (CFI exempted, like you said). There are even certain circumstances when you can flight instruct with no medical (BFRs, etc.).

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

No, that's not true. You only need a 3rd class to take the commercial test. You could even take the ATP and have a 3rd class. The only time you would need the 2nd class is if you were operating as a commerical pilot (CFI exempted, like you said). There are even certain circumstances when you can flight instruct with no medical (BFRs, etc.).

If that's the case, then I'll save my money. I was under the impression that if you wanted to take the commercial test, you needed at least a second class. And if I had to have one of those, since the standards are just about the same, I figured I'd just go for the first class.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by tonyw

If that's the case, then I'll save my money. I was under the impression that if you wanted to take the commercial test, you needed at least a second class. And if I had to have one of those, since the standards are just about the same, I figured I'd just go for the first class.

There may be some DEs that won't do the practical if you don't have a second. Legally, you can, but I guess that's up to the individual DEs. YMMV.

[Hckey2477]

So... for everyone over 40 does everything remain as it was?

[Velocipede]

Now, if I was an Anti-65 guy, I'd say something along the lines that this is blatent age discrimination. Why draw an artificial line at age 40? How making the privileges contingent on flight physical performance (eyesight, hearing, B/P, smoking, etc.). There are plenty of us old farts who are healthier today than we were at 25.

[gne in prog]

will icao respect a 12 month 1st class or does this only help for domestic flying?

[flyboywbl]

do you need a 2nd class certificate to take the commercial checkride or do you just need one to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot? If what you say is true this is great news for me because i got a first class medical last August for my student pilot certificate to solo and now i'm taking my commercial ride on Wednesday. this would mean that it would still be a 1st class medical and i would not have to go get a 2nd class or the 1st class renewed.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by flyboywbl

do you need a 2nd class certificate to take the commercial checkride or do you just need one to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot? If what you say is true this is great news for me because i got a first class medical last August for my student pilot certificate to solo and now i'm taking my commercial ride on Wednesday. this would mean that it would still be a 1st class medical and i would not have to go get a 2nd class or the 1st class renewed.

Keep in mind that even under the old rules, if you got a 1st class medical with the past 12 calendar months, it would still be a second class. It doesn't expire, it just down grades to the next lower class. So, even in your case, your medical would be a second class until the 1st of Sept this year when it would downgrade to a third class. Clear as mud?

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

There may be some DEs that won't do the practical if you don't have a second. Legally, you can, but I guess that's up to the individual DEs. YMMV.

If a DE was that misinformed about the rules (or just makes them up), I don't think I'd want to take a practical test with them anyway.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

If a DE was that misinformed about the rules (or just makes them up), I don't think I'd want to take a practical test with them anyway.

I know a DE that insisted the Seminole POH was written wrong. Seriously.

[flyboywbl]

the good news is my DE (that i had for my private, multi-private and multi-instrument) will be doing my commercial as well. He is a really nice guy who i get along with well. I have not failed a ride yet so i don't know how that goes but he is a stickler for the rules. He also can quote the FAR's like a preacher quotes the bible in church. Just like the bible though, the FAR 's can be misinterpreted.

One dispute that comes up a a lot where i fly (we have 5 guys working on their commercial ticket) is can you file an IFR flight plan for the vfr x-countries? I've heard about half and half. Some say you can file and stay out of the clouds, others say you can't. Both sides of this argument have been argued buy examiner's at my school.

Any way back to medicals. I forgot a 1st goes to a 2nd after 6 months. I learned that for my private ride which was last dec. but since all i have needed is a 3rd up until now i forgot. for some reason i thought a 1st went all the way down to a 3rd. thanks for the refresher.

-Matt

[Fly_Unity]

Originally Posted by flyboywbl

One dispute that comes up a a lot where i fly (we have 5 guys working on their commercial ticket) is can you file an IFR flight plan for the vfr x-countries? I've heard about half and half. Some say you can file and stay out of the clouds, others say you can't. Both sides of this argument have been argued buy examiner's at my school.

-Matt

The Scottsdale FSDO told me that you can FILE and FLY IFR because there is nothing in the FARS that prohibit it. As long as the instructor gives you the required VFR training for the commercial license.



However that's just the FSDO's opinion in my opinion and I really dont know.

Oh and Technically if you get a First class medical its always a first class medical till it expires in 5 years. Its the privileges that go down in increments, not the class :P

[msmspilot]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Keep in mind that even under the old rules, if you got a 1st class medical with the past 12 calendar months, it would still be a second class. It doesn't expire, it just down grades to the next lower class. So, even in your case, your medical would be a second class until the 1st of Sept this year when it would downgrade to a third class. Clear as mud?

Originally Posted by Fly_Unity

Oh and Technically if you get a First class medical its always a first class medical till it expires in 5 years. Its the privileges that go down in increments, not the class :P

(for the second time)

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by Fly_Unity

The Scottsdale FSDO told me that you can FILE and FLY IFR because there is nothing in the FARS that prohibit it. As long as the instructor gives you the required VFR training for the commercial license.



However that's just the FSDO's opinion in my opinion and I really dont know.

Same interpretation at the Ft Worth FSDO. As long as the x-countries are in VFR CONDITIONS, it satisfies the regs. The regs don't specify what type of flight plan, just the conditions of flight.