FAA Medical Certificates

You do not need a medical certificate to start flight training — but you need one before you solo, and if your goal is a career, you should verify you can hold the right class before you invest in the pipeline.

THIRD CLASS. The minimum for Private Pilot privileges. Sufficient for training, solo flight, and personal flying.

SECOND CLASS. Required to exercise Commercial Pilot privileges — flying for pay. If you are on the career pipeline, this is your working minimum.

FIRST CLASS. Required to exercise Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) privileges — the airline flight deck. Career-track students should obtain a first-class medical BEFORE enrolling in a career program: it costs little more than a third class and confirms on day one that no medical surprise waits between you and the airlines.

HOW IT WORKS. Medicals are issued by FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) — ordinary physicians with an FAA designation. You complete the FAA's MedXPress application online, then take the confirmation number to your AME appointment. Exams typically run $120–$220. Find an AME in Orange County through the FAA's designee locator, or ask us — we will point you to examiners our students use.

HAVE A CONDITION YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT? Do not self-disqualify. Many conditions are certifiable with documentation (a "special issuance"). Talk to an AME — ideally in a consultation before you file — and talk to us. We have seen most of it before.