eugene29

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be starting flight school at a university (UND) coming up in fall of 2018. I remember being told it will take several months to receive the medical after the exam. About how many months should it take to get my medical certificate after the exam? (Say 3 months, 6 months, or plan farther ahead than that?)It will be my first time getting an FAA medical certificate. Also, which should I attempt to get: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class?

I was on a visit last spring to UND and I met a retired pilot there, he said I should get a 1st class certificate first, then 3rd class after it expires. He said it would save money for the most part, and my records show that I already am capable of receiving that 1st class certificate. Anybody agree with this process? Any other recommendations?

All help is appreciated, thank you!!!

Yoda2

It will be issued on the spot, at time of exam; unless deferred or denied. Recommend initial as 1st class to make sure you can pass it... Welcome to APC and good luck.

rpatte1637

Unless you have a medical issue that does not meet the FAA standards for the class of medical you are applying for, your AME should be able to issue the certificate the same day as your exam. If he comes across something that has to be deferred to the FAA, then it can take anywhere from just a few days to months or even years. I started flying in 1996 and never really had any problems until recently. I had sugar show up in my urine a couple of years back and had to be tested for diabetes, which took about a week. In April 2016, I had a minor stroke caused by a small blood clot and was back to 100% in about 2 month, but the FAA has a 2 year minimum wait for any type of stroke. As far as class of medical, to start flight training you will probably only need a third class medical, Second class is for commercial flight and only needed if you are working for hire, and First class is for ATP (Airline pilots) mostly. Each class is a little more restrictive on the medical standards, but if you do get a 1st class when the time limit expires for that class it reverts to 2nd and then 3rd. Same with a Second class after the time limit expires it will revert to a 3rd class. Personally I would start with a third class unless you plan to instruct within the valid period of a second class.

Droopy

You only need a third, but if you are thinking of a career, get a 1st class the first time. That way, if you don't qualify, you don't waste all the time and money on the training...

sourdough44

If young with no issues, a 1st Class is plenty easy enough. I’d just get the 1st Class.

I didn’t notice where you live. I would search out a likeable AME and go there, not grab bag off the FAA website.

eugene29

Thank you! I didn't know that, I have been told that I'd get the results a number of months after I do the examination.

eugene29

Thank you for the advice. So would that mean if I got a 1st class, it would expire after a year, then would become 2nd class, and after that expires it would be a 3rd class? And then I'd have to get another exam? I'm expecting to need to renew the 1st class before the 3rd class would expire but that could be a possibility, correct?

rpatte1637

Yes, if you take a first class medical, it is good for first class privileges for the time duration (6 month or one year according to your age) then unless you are flying where a first class is required, you can continue to fly under second class rules until that time period expires. If you are then not flying for hire yet, you can continue to use it as a third class until the time frame for third class expires. Good luck and remember that flying is suppose to be fun. I flew pipeline inspection four years and built over 7000 hours of flight time and was paid well. Flying is one of the only jobs that I can honestly say that I looked forward to getting up everyday for work.