Medical Requirements
Pilots, except those who fly gliders or free air balloons, must possess a valid
medical certificate in order to exercise the privileges of their airman certificates.
Sport pilots must possess either a valid third-class medical certificate or
a valid driver’s license. The periodic medical examination required for
medical certification is conducted by designated aviation medical examiners,
who are physicians with a special interest in aviation safety and have training
in aviation
medicine. The standards for medical certification are contained in 14 CFR part
67. The requirements for obtaining medical certification are contained in 14
CFR part 61.
Prior to beginning flight training, a flight instructor should interview you
about any health conditions and determine your goal as a pilot. Good advice
would be to obtain the class of medical certificate required, for the certificate
level you ultimately want, before beginning flight training. Finding out immediately
whether you are medically qualified could save time and money.
If you do have physical limitations, such as impaired vision, loss of a limb,
or hearing impairment it is possible you could be issued a medical certificate
valid for “Student Pilot Privileges Only.” This kind of medical certificate
will allow you to continue flight training and to prepare for the pilot certification
practical test. During training, flight instructors should ensure that you can
safely perform all required TASKs that pertain to the required standards. Special
devices may be necessary to allow you to manipulate the flight controls. If
you are unable to perform certain TASKs, you may
have a limitation placed on your pilot certificate. For example, hearing impairment
would require the limitation “Not Valid for Flight Requiring the Use of
Radio.” Another limitation may allow the pilot to only operate a certain
make and model airplane, such as one without rudder pedals.
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Student Pilot Requirements: Medical and Student Pilot Certificates
1. Q. When do I need a student pilot certificate?
A. Prior to solo flight.
2. Q. How do I obtain a student pilot certificate?
A. Student pilot certificates may be issued by an FAA Inspector or an FAA-Designated
Pilot Examiner. Upon your request, a combination medical certificate and student
pilot certificate will be issued by an FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner
upon the satisfactory completion of your physical examination. Applicants who
fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities, which might
limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots should contact their local FSDO.
3. Q. If I only want to be a sport pilot how do I obtain a student pilot certificate?
A. Sport pilot applicants who intend to fly without attaining a medical, but
who will fly on the basis of a valid driver’s license will only get a student
pilot certificate issued by an FAA Inspector or FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner.
4. Q. If I have had a medical certificate denied can I just get a sport pilot
certificate and fly on the basis of my driver’s license?
A. No, The only way to fly as a sport pilot on the basis of a driver’s
license in lieu of a medical certificate is if your LAST FAA-medical was not
denied.
5. Q. Where can I get more information about the sport pilot arena?
A. Sport pilot enthusiasts may find information on the Regulatory Support Division’s
web site at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs600 in the AFS-610 area.
6. Q. What are the requirements for a student pilot certificate?
A. To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, a person must:
(1) be at least 16 years of age, except for the operation of a glider or balloon,
in which case the applicant must be at least 14 years of age; and
(2) be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
7. Q. How long are my student pilot and medical certificates valid?
A. The student pilot certificate will expire at the end of the 24th month after
the month in which it was issued. The third-class medical certificate will expire
at the end of the 36th month after the month in which it was issued. A medical
certificate issued after the age of 40, expires at the end of the 24th month
in which it was issued.
8. Q. Can my student pilot certificate be renewed?
A. No, but a new student pilot certificate may be issued by an:
(1) FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner, upon completion of the required
examination; or
(2) FAA Inspector or FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner if you already hold a valid
medical certificate or if you are not required to hold a medical certificate.
9. Q. If my original student pilot certificate has been endorsed for solo, do
I lose this endorsement on my new certificate?
A. The endorsements are still valid, but are not transferred to the new certificate.
Retain the old certificate as a record of these endorsements.
10. Q. Should my flight instructor endorse my student pilot certificate before
or after my first solo flight?
A. The endorsement on the student pilot certificate certifying that the holder
is competent to solo must be made by the flight instructor prior to the first
solo flight.
11. Q. If I solo in more than one make and model aircraft, must I have an endorsement
for each on my student pilot certificate?
A. Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement prior to the first
solo flight in each make and model aircraft.
12. Q. Does the endorsement to solo permit me to make solo cross-country flights?
A. No. Your flight instructor must specifically endorse your student pilot certificate
to permit cross-country flights.
13. Q. Must I carry my student pilot certificate when I am piloting an aircraft
in solo flight?
A. Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession or readily accessible.
14. Q. Is there a charge for the student pilot certificate?
A. When the student pilot certificate is issued by a FSDO there is no charge.
An FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for issuing
Student Pilot Certificates, and processing the necessary reports. The FAA-Authorized
Aviation Medical Examiner will charge a fee for the physical examination in
connection with issuing the combination medical and student pilot certificate.
15. Q. When do I need a medical certificate?
A. Except for sport pilot applicants, you will need a medical certificate prior
to solo flight if you are operating an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship.
It is suggested you obtain your medical certificate prior to beginning flight
training. This will assure you are aware of any condition that could prevent
you from obtaining a medical certificate prior to making a financial investment
in flight training.
16. Q. If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
A. By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-Authorized
Aviation Medical Examiner.
17. Q. Where do I get my medical certificate?
A. From any FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner. There are numerous doctors
who are FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiners.
18. Q. Where can I get a list of FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiners?
A. The FAA lists a directory on the Internet on the Civil Aeromedical Institute’s
web site.
www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/
19. Q. When required, what class of medical certificate must a student pilot
have?
A. Third-class, although any class will suffice. Medical certificates are designated
as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally, the first-class is
designed for the airline transport pilot; the second-class for the commercial
pilot; and the third-class for the student, recreational, and private pilot.
20. Q. If I have a physical disability, is there any provision for obtaining
a medical certificate?
A. Yes. Medical certificates can be issued in many cases where physical disabilities
are involved. Depending upon the certificate held and the nature of the disability,
operating limitations may be imposed. If you have any questions, contact an
FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner prior to beginning flight training.
21. Q. Must I have my medical certificate, when I am piloting an aircraft in
solo flight?
A. Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession or readily accessible.
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