Which Medical Do I Need?

Class I

A first class medical is required for pilots who exercise airline transport pilot (ATP) privileges; that is, those flying scheduled airliners and other pilots whose employers require this level of certification. A first class medical is valid for ATP privileges for twelve months for pilots under age 40. Pilots who are age 40 and older must renew First class medical certificates every six months.

Class II

A Second class is required for pilots who fly commercially—in operations such as crop dusting, delivering canceled checks, or carrying passengers or cargo for hire. The Second class medical is valid for commercial privileges for 12 months.

Class III

A Third class medical certificate is appropriate for student pilots, recreational pilots, and private pilots who fly for pleasure or personal business (but not for hire). A third class medical is valid for 60 months for pilots under age 40, and 24 months for applicants who are age 40 or older.

Medical Class Comparison

Medical Certificate	Class I	Class II	Class III
Type Pilot	Airline Transport	Commercial	Private, Student, Recreational
Duration	6 months if age 40 or older; 12 months if under age 40	12 months	2 years if age 40 or older; 5 years if less than 40 at exam
Distant Vision	20/20 in each eye, with or without correction		20/40 in each eye with or without correction
Intermediate Vision 32 inches-panel	50 years and older 20/40 with or without correction	50 years and older 20/40 with or without correction	N/A
Near Vision 16 inches	20/40 in each eye, with or without correction
Color Vision	Colors necessary for safe performance of airman duties
Hearing	Conversational voice at 6 feet with both ears, or audiometry
Blood Pressure	No standard. If medication required, will need cardiovascular workup. Current guideline maximum is 155/95.
EKG Electrocardiogram	At age 35, and yearly after 40	N/A	N/A
ENT	No disease causing vertigo or disturbance of speech or equilibrium

FAA MedXPress

If you haven't already, you will need to create an account and complete an application for your Medical Certificate through the FAA MedXPress website

The FAA MedXPress system allows anyone requesting an FAA Medical Clearance or Medical Certificate to electronically complete an application. Information entered into MedXPress is available to your FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for review at the time of your medical examination.

Before your FAA Medical Examination

Make sure you have completed and submitted the MedXPress application
Check your email and bring the MedXPress application confirmation number
Get plenty of rest
Drink plenty of water
Avoid foods/beverages with caffeine, sodium or carbohydrates/sugar and alcohol at least 8 hrs prior to the exam
Avoid eating at least 4 hrs prior to the exam

Vision Testing

Bring glasses/contacts to examination
Color Vision should be pre-tested to assure success
Distant Vision should be pre-tested to assure success
Near Vision should be pre-tested to assure success

Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure should be pre-tested by your private physician to assure success
Values below 140/90 are preferred. Readings above 155/95 preclude certification. Most blood pressure medications are approved
When B.P. is tested at the AME’s office, tell the nurse/physician you want to sit without talking for a few minutes before the test

Hearing

Can you hear a soft voice at 6 feet? If not, get a hearing evaluation from a private physician to establish the loss and the need for a hearing amplification. Most pilots with minor hearing loss are permitted to use a headset as “amplification”
If your AME uses audiometric equipment, you should be pre-tested to assure success

Electrocardiogram

Your EKG should be pre-tested by your private physician to discover any abnormalities. Don’t let your private physician dismiss “minor” variants of normal. If ANYTHING is discovered, you should complete an evaluation and obtain documentation of the issue/condition

AMA Flight Surgeons

Your FAA Medical Specialists