How To Get A Private Pilot Medical Certificate

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

Tags | alcoholism, chronic, condition, epilepsy, pilot, problems, psychosis, transport