Safety

JAMES WILLIAMS
I Want to Fly
So Why Do I Need to Go to the Doctor?
Medical Certification Basics
Are you considering becoming a pilot? While the
first stops on your new aviation adventure will
likely include visits to local flight schools and
maybe a pilot gear shop for the latest swag, a doctor’s
office visit should also be at the top of your list.
This might seem a bit incongruous at first glance, but
medical fitness is an essential and sometimes overlooked
part of aviation. In this article we’ll discuss
what the aviation medical certification process is,
how it works, and what you should know before you
head into your medical exam. With the right information
beforehand, the process can be a lot less daunting.
And with the right Aviation Medical Examiner
(AME) it can be a lot easier. We’ll cover both of these
areas, but first you need to determine if you even
need a medical certificate, and if you do, which type.
What Class Are You In?
When you go for a medical exam you will have
three classes of medical certificates to choose from:
first, second, or third. The requirements for each
class of medical can be found in Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 67. See also “The
Right Stuff” in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of FAA Safety
Briefing (www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2013).
Here’s a summary:
First class has the most stringent requirements
and the shortest life span, with second class being
less restrictive, and third class even less so.
The medical exam is very similar for all three
classes. Some of the key differences are the requirement
for an electrocardiogram (EKG) for older
airmen (once after turning 35 and on an annual basis
after turning 40 for a first class) and vision standards
(first and second class require vision correctable to
20/20 while third class only requires vision correctable
to 20/40).
For most general aviation (GA) pilots, a third
class medical is sufficient. Medical certificate requirements
are tied to the privileges an airman wishes to
exercise, and not necessarily explicit to the certificate
they hold. For example, if an Airline Transport Pilot
(ATP) plans to conduct commercial operations, he
or she would be required to hold at least a second
class medical, and for a 121 or 135 air carrier operation,
a first class medical would be required to act as
pilot in command (PIC). When exercising private or
recreational pilot privileges (or when providing flight
instruction under subpart H) only a third class medical
privilege would be necessary.
Can I Fly Without a Medical?
In some cases, yes. 14 CFR section 61.23(b)
explains that both glider and balloon pilots are not
required to hold a medical. Another viable option for
fixed-wing aficionados is the sport pilot certificate,
which offers some latitude in medical requirements.
You don’t have to have an FAA-issued medical cer-
28 FAA Safety Briefing July/August 2016