Medical Certificate Basics
This is the government agency that issues medical certificates for U.S. pilots.
What is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)?
This class of medical certificate is required for Airline Transport Pilots (ATPs).
What is First Class?
This medical certificate is required for commercial operations such as aerial photography or charter flights.
What is a Second Class Medical Certificate?
This class of medical certificate is required for private, recreational, and student pilots.
What is Third Class?
A pilot must not fly while taking medications that cause this side effect.
What is drowsiness or impairment?
The FAA requires this form to be filled out when applying for a medical certificate.
What is FAA Form 8500-8 (Application for Airman Medical Certificate)?
A first-class medical certificate is valid for this long for pilots under 40 years old.
What is 12 months?
A second-class medical certificate is valid for this long for all ages.
What is 12 months?
For pilots under 40, a third-class medical is valid for this period.
What is 60 calendar months (5 years)?
These two conditions automatically disqualify a pilot unless cleared by the FAA.
What are epilepsy and bipolar disorder?
This individual performs FAA medical exams and is authorized to issue certificates.
Who is an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)?
After 12 months (or 6 months if over 40), a first-class medical certificate reverts to this class for most operations.
What is Second Class (and eventually Third Class)?
After expiration for second-class privileges, the certificate continues to meet this class’s requirements.
What is Third Class?
For pilots aged 40 and older, a third-class medical is valid for this period.
What is 24 calendar months (2 years)?
Pilots who develop a disqualifying condition can apply for this special permission.
What is a Special Issuance Authorization?
The FAA issues this many classes of medical certificates.
What are three classes?
This is the maximum allowable blood pressure for FAA medical certification (without medication, typically).
What is 155/95 mmHg?
This visual standard is required for distant vision in both eyes, with or without correction.
What is 20/20 vision?
Instead of holding an FAA medical, some pilots fly under this alternative medical program.
What is BasicMed?
The FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) that governs medical certification is this one.
What is 14 CFR Part 67?
This online system must be used to apply for a medical certificate before visiting an AME.
What is MedXPress?
This heart-related test is required for first-class applicants at age 35 and annually after age 40.
What is an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)?
This sense must be demonstrated by identifying certain colored lights during the medical exam.
What is color vision?
Under BasicMed, a pilot must complete a medical exam with this type of doctor every 48 months.
What is a state-licensed physician?
Under this regulation, a pilot cannot act as a required crew member within 8 hours of drinking alcohol.
What is the “8 hours bottle to throttle” rule (14 CFR 91.17)?