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If you want to learn to fly, you have to have a FAA
medical certificate. Acquiring a medical
certificate is not too difficult. You do
not have to get a medical certificate before you begin your training. It is only required once you are ready to fly
the airplane solo – a highlight that comes more quickly than you might
think. However you may want to visit the
doctor early in your training if you suspect a problem in getting the
certificate. It would be better not to
be surprised the day before your first solo with a delay in the process.
This physical
must be conducted by an FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). You can ask your Flight Instructor about how
to find an AME close to you, or you can call the Aerospace Medical
Certification Division of the FAA in Oklahoma
City at (405) 954-4821. If you are in good health, you
should have no problem getting your medical certificate. At the exam, you will
first be asked to fill out an FAA application and medical history form. The
doctor will then check your vision, hearing, balance, nose and throat, and
listen to your lungs. Finally, the doctor will determine that you do not have
any mental or neurological problems such as alcoholism, epilepsy, psychosis, or
a serious medical condition like chronic heart disease or diabetes mellitus.
The cost of the
exam is not regulated by the FAA, but you can normally expect to pay between
$75 and $100. The third class airman medical certificate, required for a private pilot certificate, is valid for
three years for applicants younger than 40, and two years for those 40 and
older. On a side note, a second class
medical is required for a commercial pilot, and a first class medical is
required for an airline transport pilot.
It is possible for you to acquire a second or first class medical
initially, but this is not recommended.
These are more in depth medical exams (that you do not need). The last thing you want to happen is to apply
for a first class medical and be medically denied. If you are denied a higher certificate, you
won’t be able to get any certificate. So
just get what you need to begin with.
If you happen to
have an unusual medical condition (even a serious one) it is still possible
for you to get a private pilot license.
However you then would need to an AME to discuss your options (for instance, if
you are colorblind you may not be allowed to fly at night, or you may have to
wear corrective lenses if your vision isn’t great.)
Your
medical certificate is also your student pilot certificate that is valid for
two years while you work toward a private pilot certificate. Make sure you keep
up with your certificate. Anyone acting as pilot-in-command (PIC)
of an airplane must carry a current and appropriate medical certificate on each
flight.
One
more thing about medical certificates make sure that you use an AME who has
been recommended to you. I have had
students who went to an unknown doctor who was great at medicine, but knew
practically nothing about aviation (even though he was certified by the FAA.) Their paperwork got really messed up and the
doctor made very unnecessary and lengthy delays in the process. Again, get a recommendation, anything is
better than nothing.
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