Has a 3rd class medical always been 5 years?
 

Has the length of a third class medical always been 5 years? Or is that something new in the last few years? Any idea of why it is only good for 2 years if you are 40 or older on the date of the exam? I mean I can see that a younger person may be considered in better health but 3 years better?

It was originally:

First Class: 6 months
Second Class: 12 months
Third Class: 24 months

It's all about sudden incapacitation, and the risks start going up dramatically in your 40's, due to cardiac problems and stroke. People under 40 very rarely keel over dead.

Me too
 

That change got passed me too, of course I'm >40 so no gain. Here's a pertinent movie script. I guess Joseph of Arimathea was also > 40.

King Arthur: There! Look!
Sir Lancelot: What does it say?
Sir Galahad: What language is that?
King Arthur: Brother Maynard! You are a scholar.
Brother Maynard: It's Aramaic!
Sir Galahad: Of course! Joseph of Arimathea!
Sir Lancelot: 'Course!
King Arthur: What does it say?
Brother Maynard: It reads, 'Here may be found the last words of Joseph of Arimathea. He who is valiant and pure of spirit may find the Holy Grail in the Castle of aaarrrrggh'.
King Arthur: What?
Brother Maynard: '...The Castle of aaarrrrggh'.
Sir Bedevere: What is that?
Brother Maynard: He must have died while carving it.
Sir Lancelot: Oh, come on!
Brother Maynard: Well, that's what it says.
King Arthur: Look, if he was dying, he wouldn't bother to carve 'aarrggh'. He'd just say it!
Brother Maynard: Well, that's what's carved in the rock!
Sir Galahad: Perhaps he was dictating.

This change in regulation went into effect in August 2008. They made the following changes

1st Class
- Under 40 - 12 months
- 40 and over - 6 months

2nd Class
- Regardless of age - 12 months

3rd Class
- Under 40 - 60 months
- 40 and over - 24 months

And these ages are the age you were on the day of the exam right. i.e. if a 39 yr 11m old got his exam his 3rd class would be good for 5 years but if a 40 yr 1 day old got the same exam his is only good for 24 months.


It must be a pain for those of you that have to keep a 1st class over the age of 40.

Yes, it's based on your age on the day the medical was issued.

It has always been a pain to keep a 1st class, now it's just easier for those under 40.