Husker Flyer

I've spoke with a few guys regarding obtaining a FAA medical cert through the military, be that through any FAA-certified docs in the military, military medical exams, etc. None of the folks I spoke to knew the answer.

Bottom line: Are medical certs issue-able by military means?

Note: I'm currently serving active duty, enlisted, in a non-aviation related job with an aviation unit.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Droopy

Husker,

This is kind of a two part question.

First, a current military flight physical is valid as a FAA Class 3 medical. CFR 61.23 says the following:

"(9) When a military pilot of the U.S. Armed Forces can show evidence of an up-to-date medical examination authorizing pilot flight status issued by the U.S. Armed Forces and—
(i) The flight does not require higher than a third-class medical certificate; and
(ii) The flight conducted is a domestic flight operation within U.S. airspace."


Doesn't help you due to the "military pilot" verbaige.


The second part is that some military flight surgeons ARE qualified as FAA AMEs and can do FAA physicals. I have seen zero of these in the last ten years or so. They used to be more numerous, but most flight docs don't take the time to get certified anymore...


Good luck,


Droopy

LowSlowT2

My pilot-physician buddy (one of <10 in the USAF) said that it's AF/SG that don't want to do the paperwork to certify for AME. My buddy was trying to get it done so he could do them for guys, but was unable to breach the bureaucracy of the AF.

They do exist though. Ask at Flight Medicine if any Flight Docs are AME certified...you may have to ask the Flight Docs themselves as the Amn at the desk probably doesn't have a clue what you're asking...

Grumble

So I don't need to run out and get a medical for my ATP check ride? Sweet.

rickair7777

Discuss this in advance with the examiner, don't just spring it on him. If he's not aware of this provision, he may feel he has to call his handlers at the FSDO and even then he may not know what he's looking for on a form 2808. Give him time to do whatever research he needs to do.

To the OP, yes there are military flight surgeons who can do a third class you just need to find one. They will issue you a regular FAA medical, assuming they have the time/willingness to do it for free. You will probably not be getting a first class from a military doc though...the FAA tightly limits the number of AME's who can do that. The waiting list is long so they are usually older than dirt.

Husker Flyer

Thanks for the information everyone!

Hrkdrivr

Some flight docs can do Class IIs, but I'm nearly certain none are qualified/allowed to do Class Is.

USMCFLYR

There is at least one out there then because I had a few 1st Class Physicals conducted by a Reserve Flight Doc at NAS Lemoore.

USMCFLYR

2bennySODC6

..............

rickair7777

To clarify, there's no rule that says they can't, they're real doctors just like anyone else. But because the FAA strictly limits the number of AMEs who can do first class there's a long waiting list. Most military docs simply haven't been around long enough.