Medical Requirements for FAA: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Pilot License

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs the civil aviation safety in America; all the administration falls under its authority. Pilots flying planes, commercial or private, require three different class of license for the same under three different categories: First- Class, Second- Class and Third- Class pilot. The medical requirements for all these three classes are also different. Now, we will discuss the same in the following sections, stay tuned.

Table of Contents

• What is FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate?
• What is FAA Class 2 Medical Certificate?
• What is FAA Class 3 Medical Certificate?
• FAA Class 1 Medical Requirements.
• FAA Class 2 Medical Requirements.
• FAA Class 3 Medical Requirements.
• Reasons for Outright rejection in FAA Medical.
• Frequently Asked Questions.

Class One Medical Certificate

Class One Medical Certificate of FAA has the toughest criteria that is required for airline transport pilots, those who fly commercial airlines carrying passengers or cargo. As pilots of Class 1 has the responsibility of thousands of passengers and cargo along with surety of safe flying and landing, therefore their medical standards are set high. It is necessary that they are in top medical and mental condition.

Renewal Requirements:

• If the class 1 pilot is under 40 years of age, his/her medical Certificate is to be renewed every 12 months, to ensure highest levels of health, fitness and well- being.
• If the pilot is over 40 years of age, the medical is to be done every 6 months.

Class Two Medical Certificate

Class 2 Medical Certificate are for Second-In charge airline transport pilot like flight instructors, corporate pilots, or charter pilots. The medical requirements are not as tough as Class 1 but still rigorous enough to ensure health and fitness level for commercial flying. This medical requirement is for those pilots engaged in commercial activities but not carrying out airline transport duties.

Renewal Requirements:

• The Medical Certificate for Class 2 category pilots is renewed every 12 months regardless of age.

Class Three Medical Certificate

The Medical standards for Class 3 FAA pilots are least restrictive, as it is required for pilots flying personal or recreational reasons. In this certificate, the requirements are less tough than Class 1 and Class 2 but the pilots are examined for their fitness. This is ideal for hobbyists or those flying for personal enjoyment without any commercial intent.

Renewal Requirements:

• The Class 3 FAA pilots who are under 40 years of age need to be examined for their medical standards every 60 months.
• Whereas those who are over 40 years of age need themselves medically examined every 24 months.

Class One FAA Medical Certificate Requirements

Vision Requirements:

• Distant Vision: The distant vision should be 20/20 or better in each eye, with or without correction.
• Near Vision: The requirement for near vision is 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without correction, at 16 inches.
• Intermediate Vision (for pilots aged 50 and above): Intermediate demands 20/40 vision or better in each eye at 32 inches.
• Color Vision: Candidate should pass a color vision test to differentiate aviation colors (red, green, white) that are used in signaling and cockpit display screens.
• Field of Vision: Field of Vision should be normal, but not very low.
• Eye Health: The pilot should have any acute or chronic pathological conditions which can affect his/her normal vision required for flying.

Hearing Requirements:

• You should be able to understand a normal spoken conversation at a conversational distance (6 feet) with each ear independently.
• A formal audiometric test can be done to check the health of your ears. Yous ears should not have any serious past injury or ear drum damage.

Cardiovascular Health:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): If your age is 35, then ECG will be required for your first examination and after 40 years of age it will be done annually to monitor your heart’s rhythm and health.
• The pilot should not have any signal of significant cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart attack, angina, heart failure).
• Blood pressure must be within an acceptable range (usually under 155/95).

Neurological and General Health:

• The applicant must not have any signs of epilepsy, seizures, or other neurological disorders.
• Assessments for mental health conditions, including severe anxiety, depression, or psychosis will be performed, so prepare accordingly.
• You should not have any psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, or major depression as these conditions can hinder your dream to become a successful Class 1 pilot.
• The applicant must not have any history of psychosis, substance dependence, or personality disorders that could interfere with his flying duties and can harm the lives of thousands of passengers.

Class Two FAA Medical Certificate Requirements

Vision Requirements & Hearing Requirements:

Class 2 FAA pilots require similar vision and hearing requirements as of Class 1.

Cardiovascular Health:

• In Class 2 FAA medical ECG is generally not required unless indicated by medical history or demanded by examiner.
• The applicant must not have uncontrolled hypertension or cardiovascular conditions that could impair flying safety and leads to his/her disqualification.

Neurological and General Health:

• There should be no history of significant neurological disorders & they should be free from any severe disorders.
• The medical examination should not indicate any history of drug or alcohol dependence within the past two years.
• No severe psychiatric disorders will be tolerated, but mild anxiety or depression may be acceptable if it is stable and well-managed.

Class Three FAA Medical Certificate Requirements

Vision Requirements & Hearing Requirements:

These two conditions are same and required for all three medicals. No applicant will be passed or given medical fitness certificate if He/ She fails to pass these two tests. How can a blind pilot fly the plane? Color differentiation and proper hearing are must.

Cardiovascular Health & Neurological and General Health:

These conditions should be same as Class 2 medical.

Mental Health:

• In Class 3 FAA the mental health requirements are more relaxed as compared to Class 1 and 2.
• Here, minor mental health conditions are generally not disqualifying but major ones can lend you in trouble. In place of asset, an insane pilot will become liability for the company as well as nation.

Outright Rejection

The FAA medical examiner must defer or outrightly reject the candidature of the applicant if He/ She is suffering from any of the following complications:

1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Angina pectoris
3. Myocardial infarction
4. Cardiac valve replacement
5. Permanent cardiac pacemaker
6. Heart replacement
7. Substance dependence
8. Epilepsy

Pilots who do not meet these requirements may seek Special Issuance Medical Certificates, which allow them limited flying under certain conditions, which are also reviewed periodically.

The FAA is a careful and alert watchdog in terms of medical requirements for each class to balance safety with practical flying needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I get FAA Medical done & get my medical certificate?

First you have to register at MedXPress, here you will be asked some questions. After answering all the questions, submit your form and take printout for further process. After that find a nearby AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) to get your medical done. Bear in mind, that you have to complete your exam in 60 days from submission of your form.

2. What are the chances of getting caught lying on FAA medical?

Abstain yourself from any kind of forgery. You should present your accounts clean, otherwise it will create problem for you. As, everything will be clear as water after medical test.