Yes. You are prohibited from acting as pilot-in-command or as a required pilot flight crewmember during any medical deficiency that would be disqualifying or may interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft.

For more information, see 14 CFR §61.53

A simple problem such as a cold, a broken arm, or an abscessed tooth may require nothing more than the appropriate treatment and a little time before you can safely return to the skies. A more complicated problem or the development or change of a chronic illness may necessitate consultation with an AME or the FAA before resuming flying. New medical conditions do not need to be reported to the FAA until you wish to return to flying.

Yes. Section 67.409 under 14 CFR sets forth the appeal process within the FAA for applicants who are denied medical certification.

Within 30 days after the date of the denial, you may apply for reconsideration to: Federal Air Surgeon Attention: Manager, Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300 Federal Aviation Administration P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126

Yes. Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) are authorized to issue combination Airman Medical and Student Pilot certificates to appropriate applicants. To obtain this combination certificate, the applicant must meet the medical standards, be at least 16 years old, and be able to read, speak, and understand the English language.

Important Note: The combined medical / student pilot certificate will not be valid for flight duties until properly endorsed by the student's instructor.

You can call or write:

Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300 Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 954-4821

You can also contact the Regional Flight Surgeons' offices.

An FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) must examine you. You must contact an AME of your choosing, schedule an appointment, complete an official FAA application form, and undergo physical examination. If you meet the appropriate medical standards, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.

Searchable listing of Aviation Medical Examiners

In our letters denying airmen medical certification, we inform applicants that they have the right to appeal. An applicant whose medical certification is denied by an AME may request reconsideration of the decision by the Manager, FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) or an FAA Regional Flight Surgeon (RFS). If the AME simply defers issuance of a certificate, the AMCD or the RFS, as appropriate, automatically will review the application and inform the applicant of the decision.

If the AMCD or the RFS deny an applicant based on a medical condition that is specifically disqualifying as set forth under Part 67, the denial is final and may be appealed to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). If the AMCD or the RFS deny an applicant based on a medical condition that is not specifically disqualifying then the applicant may appeal to the Federal Air Surgeon (FAS). An unfavorable decision by the FAS may be appealed to the NTSB.

As appropriate, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will schedule and conduct a hearing on the question of the applicant’s eligibility for certification. If the ALJ’s decision is unacceptable to the applicant or the FAA, the matter may be appealed to the full board. If the full board affirms the denial of certification, the applicant may seek review by a U.S. Court of Appeals. From an adverse decision by a Court of Appeals, the applicant may ask for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

There are several sources for information regarding medical conditions and airman medical certification.

• Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs): There are approximately 5000 physicians around the globe who are FAA-designated AMEs. AMEs are authorized to receive applications, to perform physical examinations and to issue airman medical certificates.
• FAA, Aerospace Medical Certification Division

Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300 Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 954-4821

• FAA, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
• FAA, Regional Flight Surgeons.
• Pilot organizations: Two of the largest pilot organizations are the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) at (800) 236-4800 and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) at (800) 872-2672.

LASIK and other forms of vision corrective surgery have potentially adverse effects that could be incompatible with flying duties. These include:

• Corneal scarring or opacities;
• Worsening or variability of vision;
• Night-glare; and
• Haziness of vision.

The FAA expects that a pilot will not resume piloting aircraft until his or her own treating health care professional determines:

• The post operative condition has stabilized;
• There have been no significant adverse effects or complications; and
• The person meets the appropriate FAA vision standards.

If these determinations are favorable and if otherwise qualified, the pilot may immediately resume piloting but must ensure that:

• The treating health care professional documents his or her determinations in the pilot's health care treatment record;
• A copy of that record is immediately forwarded to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City; and
• A personal copy is retained.

The airman may continue flight duties unless informed otherwise by the FAA or another disqualifying condition occurs.

You should submit AC Form 8060-56 (PDF) to:

FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-331 ATTN: Duplicate Desk Post Office Box 26200 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125

You must include a check or money order for $2.00 made payable to the FAA. The Aerospace Medical Certification Division can fax you a record of your certificate that is valid for no more than 60 days, which should be enough time to receive your replacement certificate. To receive this fax and order a duplicate certificate, call 405-954-7674 to reach the duplicate certificate desk.

There are no minimum or maximum ages for obtaining a medical certificate. Any applicant who is able to pass the exam may be issued a medical certificate.

However, since 16 years is the minimum age for a student pilot certificate, people under 16 are unlikely to have practical use for an airman medical certificate.

• A first-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate.

A first class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus

• 6 calendar months for operations requiring a first class medical certificate if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
• 12-calendar months for operations requiring a first-class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination, or
• 12 calendar months for operations requiring a second class medical certificate, or
• 24 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
• 60 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination. *

 

• A second-class airman medical certificate is required for commercial, non-airline duties (e.g., for crop dusters, corporate pilots) and is valid for 1 year plus the remainder of the days in the month of examination. Those exercising the privileges of a flight engineer certificate, a flight navigator certificate, or acting as air traffic control tower operator must hold a second-class airman medical certificate.

A second class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus

 

• 12 calendar months for operations requiring a second class medical certificate, or
• 24 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate, if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
• 60 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination. *

 

• A third-class airman medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate, or a student pilot certificate.

 

A third-class medical certificate is valid for the remainder of the month of issue; plus

 

• 24 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate, if the airman is age 40 or over on or before the date of the examination, or
• 60 calendar months for operations requiring a third class medical certificate if the airman has not reached age 40 on or before the date of examination. *

The FAA does not set fees for the performance of the medical exam and issuance of the medical certificate. Aviation Medical Examiners are allowed to charge the applicant appropriately, as long as it is not more than the usual fee for similar examinations for other purposes. If you are concerned about the cost of the exam, please discuss this with the doctor you are thinking about seeing. The FAA has no additional fees above what the physician charges.

Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a medical certificate as “acceptable evidence of physical fitness on a form prescribed by the Administrator.” The primary goal of the airman medical certification program is to protect not only those who would exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate but also air travelers and the general public.

A person who meets FAA airmen medical standards, based on a medical examination and an evaluation of medical history, is entitled to a medical certificate without restriction or limitation other than the prescribed limitation as to its duration. Individuals required to hold a medical certificate must have it in their personal possession at all times when exercising the privileges for which they are licensed.

The following conditions are listed in the regulations as disqualifying medical conditions; however, in many cases when the condition is adequately controlled, the FAA will issue medical certification contingent on periodic reports.

• Angina pectoris
• Bipolar disease
• Cardiac valve replacement
• Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
• Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medications
• Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause
• Epilepsy
• Heart replacement
• Myocardial infarction
• Permanent cardiac pacemaker
• Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
• Psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Substance dependence
• Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.

Other conditions not specifically listed in the regulations are also disqualifying. For further information refer to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

The medical standards for each class of medical certificate are set forth in 14 CFR Part 67.

You must have the validity of the foreign license and medical certificate or endorsement you hold verified by the Civil Aviation Authority that issued those certificates.

The FAA has devised a form entitled Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification (PDF) You must submit this information, along with a copy of the license you wish to have verified to:

Airmen Certification Branch AFS-760 PO BOX 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082 You may fax it to (405) 954-9922.

For more detailed information you should review the information available on the FAA website at the following links:

Can I use my foreign pilot's license to get a U.S. license (certificate)?

Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License, Rating, and Medical Certification

Any person exercising the privileges of any of the following certificates: airline transport pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command if serving as a required pilot flight crewmember), flight engineer certificate, flight navigator certificate, or student pilot certificate. Except for a person employed by the FAA, a branch of the military services or the Coast Guard, a person acting as an air traffic control tower operator also must hold a medical certificate.