What Medical should I get?
03-24-2011, 01:00 PM
#1
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Posts: 5
What Medical should I get?
Okay here is my situation. I am going to be going to a different college next year and will be starting my flight training there. Obviously a medical is needed in order to fly. I am just not sure which class I should get. I keep leaning to the first class but it is not required but I have a fear that I wont be able to pass the first class (not for medical reasons just don't want to fail it). Should I just get my 2nd class and hold off for the first class?
Also, does my family health history come into effect when I have my medical? (My dad has diabetes but I do not) I know its a risk factor but I would consider myself a fairly healthy and active person.
Thanks for any input.
Also, does my family health history come into effect when I have my medical? (My dad has diabetes but I do not) I know its a risk factor but I would consider myself a fairly healthy and active person.
Thanks for any input.
03-24-2011, 01:18 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
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Posts: 3,048
Get the First Class and Stop Being a Weenie
03-24-2011, 01:59 PM
#4
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The actual medical is pretty much the same stuff for each class. The are some additional requirements, but there are also different requirements based on the age of the applicant.
That link should give you the actual guidelines the doctors use (per FAA).
Go for it. Your First Class medical will be good as long as a Third Class one (for operations that require just a 3rd class).
That link should give you the actual guidelines the doctors use (per FAA).
Go for it. Your First Class medical will be good as long as a Third Class one (for operations that require just a 3rd class).
03-24-2011, 02:03 PM
#5
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Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: Captain CR7/CR9
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Originally Posted by SCSUND26
Okay here is my situation. I am going to be going to a different college next year and will be starting my flight training there. Obviously a medical is needed in order to fly. I am just not sure which class I should get. I keep leaning to the first class but it is not required but I have a fear that I wont be able to pass the first class (not for medical reasons just don't want to fail it). Should I just get my 2nd class and hold off for the first class?
Also, does my family health history come into effect when I have my medical? (My dad has diabetes but I do not) I know its a risk factor but I would consider myself a fairly healthy and active person.
Thanks for any input.
Also, does my family health history come into effect when I have my medical? (My dad has diabetes but I do not) I know its a risk factor but I would consider myself a fairly healthy and active person.
Thanks for any input.
I'd go 1st class if I were planning on the 121 route. If you cant pass it now you can either do the paper work to get a special issuance or consider another line of work. If, on the other hand, you do not plan on flying 121 then you don't really need the 1st class and you can do 2nd or 3rd.
Just my two cents.
03-24-2011, 02:14 PM
#6
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Joined APC: Jan 2006
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Definitely get a first class...there is no point in pursuing an aviation career if you cannot hold one so it would silly to put off the moment of truth.
But based on what you said, you are 99% likely to get a 1C with no problems.
The family history does not affect an FAA medical in any way, although with that history you should probably stay lean and fit and develop a life-long exercise habit. Especially if you want to be a pilot, insulin-dependent diabetes will end your career immediately and permanently, and usually right about the time when it's really starting to pay off for you.
But based on what you said, you are 99% likely to get a 1C with no problems.
The family history does not affect an FAA medical in any way, although with that history you should probably stay lean and fit and develop a life-long exercise habit. Especially if you want to be a pilot, insulin-dependent diabetes will end your career immediately and permanently, and usually right about the time when it's really starting to pay off for you.
03-24-2011, 06:22 PM
#7
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Thanks for all of the input! I do plan on going the 121 route so I think that I will go for the first class! I think it will be good to know if I am able to pass the first class or else I still have the chance to change career paths if I am not able to! Again, thanks for the input I really appreciate it!
03-24-2011, 09:36 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
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Originally Posted by SCSUND26
Thanks for all of the input! I do plan on going the 121 route so I think that I will go for the first class! I think it will be good to know if I am able to pass the first class or else I still have the chance to change career paths if I am not able to! Again, thanks for the input I really appreciate it!
03-25-2011, 08:07 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by rickair7777
Definitely get a first class...there is no point in pursuing an aviation career if you cannot hold one so it would silly to put off the moment of truth.
03-25-2011, 08:12 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
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Originally Posted by Gajre539
I tell this to all my students but some still decide to get a third class. If I were them, I would like to know if I could hold a first class medical before blowing thousands of dollars on flight training.
I'm assuming that you are talking about your students who are aspiring to be professional pilots.
USMCFLYR
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