What is required to become a pilot?
Class 3 medical certificates are for private pilot duties only. They have the least restrictive medical requirements and the certificates are generally good for 3 years for applicants under age 40 and 2 years for those 40 and over.
Third Class Certificate Requirements
Distant Vision - 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction.
Near Vision - 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction, as measured at 16 inches.
Intermediate - No requirement.
Color Vision - Ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airmen duties.
Hearing - Demonstrate hearing of an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears at 6 feet, with the back turned to the examiner or pass an audiometric test.
Audiology - Audiometric speech discrimination test:
Pure tone audiometric test: Unaided, with thresholds no worse than: (for the worst ear) 35Db at 500Hz, 50Db at 1, 000Hz, 50Db at 2, 000Hz, 60Db at 3, 000Hz
Ear, Nose, Throat - No ear, nose, or throat disease or condition that may reasonably be expected to be manifested by vertigo or a disturbance of speech or equilibrium.
Blood Pressure - While no specific values have been stated in the standards, 155/95 (systolic/diastolic) have been the maximum allowed.
Electro-Cardiogram - Not normally required. Mental - No diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or any other severe personality disorder.
Substance Dependence/Substance Abuse - A diagnosis or medical history of substance dependence is disqualifying unless there is established clinical evidence, satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of recovery, including sustained total abstinence from the substance(s) for not less than the preceding 2 years. A history of substance abuse within the preceding 2 years is disqualifying. The list of substances includes alcohol and all illegal drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc.) plus certain prescription drugs such as sedatives, anxiolytics, etc.
Disqualifying Conditions - (1) Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications; (2) Angina pectoris; (3) Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic of clinically significant; (4) Myocardial infarction; (5) Cardiac valve replacement; (6) Permanent cardiac pacemaker; (7) Heart replacement; (8) Psychosis; (9) Bipolar disease; (10) Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts; (11) Substance dependence; (12) Substance abuse; (13) Epilepsy; (14) Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause; and (15) Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.
NOTE: Waivers for many of these conditions may be obtained through application to the FAA Aeromedical Certification Branch in Oklahoma City.
Class 2 medical certificates are for commercial, non-airline duties as well as private pilot duties. This certificate would be required of crop dusters, charter pilots, corporate pilots, and anyone else who flies commercially. The certificate is good for 1 year for commercial activities and 2 or 3 years for private pilot use.
Second Class Certificate Requirements - All of the Third Class requirements with the following additions/amendments.
Distant Vision - 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction.
Intermediate Vision- 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measured at 32 inches.
Class 1 faa medical certificates are required for pilots of scheduled airliners. They have the most stringent medical requirements and the certificate is good for 6 months for airliner duties. Like the Class 2 certificate, however, it is good for 1 year for other commercial activities and 2 or 3 years for private pilot duties.
First Class Certificate Requirements - All of the Third and Second Class requirements with the following addition.
