How To Get A Pilot Medical Certificate
All pilots will at some point have to navigate the waters of getting a medical certificate. If you are a student pilot hopefully that comes with the guidance from your flight instructor. Commonly we see some students that get their medicals before they walk in the door.
This is understandable. Some students want to verify that they can get a pilot medical certificate before they spend any money on flight training. But how quickly do you need to get a medical?
There is no correct answer other than before you get to solo. If you are a healthy individual and have no medical history I would say it is safe to start training prior to getting your medical certificate, of course you might run the risk. On the contrary, if you have a preexisting condition or take any medication, I would strongly advise you visit an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) prior to starting flight school. Either way you don’t want to wait forever, this could become a show stopper if you are ready to solo and still have no medical.
So how does one get a medical and which class should you get? Really it comes down to whether you plan on flying as a professional pilot or not. Want to be an airline pilot — get a First Class Medical. Looking to simply fly for fun and never go commercial — get a Third Class Medical. If you have thought about going commercial later in the future, I would still get a First Class Medical.
Now that you know which type to get, here are the step to get one.
Register with FAA MedExpress here.
Create an application with all pertinent information.
Find an AME using this link.
Book an appointment and follow the local doctors requirements.
We personally all go to one doctor at our academy. The current rate for any class medicals is $125.
Dr. Kevin Fox is also a pilot and often shares the airport with us. His office information is below:
Dr. Kevin Fox, DO
10860 SW 88 ST, Miami, FL, 33176
(305) 595-1300
