FAA Medical Question

T182T wrote

I have always had a First-Class medical, not because my aviation
activity (PPL/IR) requires it, but mostly in case I don’t get in to see
the doctor in time, so it derates to a second class instead of leaving
me grounded.

Waste of both time and money. For Private Pilot operations, 1st, 2nd, and
3rd class medical certificates all have exactly the same total valid time.

Bob Moore ATP/CFI (with a 3rd class medical)

On 14 Jul 2010 22:01:53 GMT, Bob Moore
wrote:



Waste of both time and money. For Private Pilot operations, 1st, 2nd, and
3rd class medical certificates all have exactly the same total valid time.


Yeah, but ...

When I lived down south, I had an AME with license #17. He was 78
when I first met him and 88 when he turned his shingle around. His
teen-aged daughter worked in the office. You do the math. If you
couldn't bend over and touch your toes, he'd slam both palms face down
on the floor and say, "like THAT". Marvelous man.

His advice (since a 1st class and a 3rd class were the same price !!)
was to go for the first class on the off chance that some yoyo will
involve you in an accident and you will be able to prove that you were
in 1st class shape not too many months ago.

Just for my 8% of two bits.

Jim

In article ,
says...

His advice (since a 1st class and a 3rd class were the same price !!)
was to go for the first class on the off chance that some yoyo will
involve you in an accident and you will be able to prove that you were
in 1st class shape not too many months ago.

Just for my 8% of two bits.

Jim



I agree with this. As pilots, we are goal and performance oriented, and we
go for what we can get!
A First-Class medical is a goal all of us can establish early, but none can
maintain indefinitely, so why not keep it as long as we can? It is cheap,
compared with other certificates we hold.
For me personally, I prefer the obligatory ECG. Just as I enjoy and pursue
advanced ratings and qualifications. Keep the learning curve high and avoid
getting behind in your game. In medical terms, go for First Class until you
no longer qualify for it. For me, despite this little snafu, I’m looking at
another couple of decades!

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:41:56 +0200, T182T wrote:

A First-Class medical is a goal all of us can establish early, but none
can maintain indefinitely, so why not keep it as long as we can?

I've followed this as well, and I'm healthy enough that I've no concerns
about it.

However, some of the older pilots I know have warned me against this
practice. The concern is apparently that the more in-depth examination
might expose something that would be disqualifying - once known - even
for a 3rd class medical.

I've mixed feelings. On one hand, I'd hate to lose my medical by "over
testing". On the other hand, I'd hate to be caught aware of a medical
problem that could have been detected earlier.

- Andrew

Andrew Gideon wrote:
On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:41:56 +0200, T182T wrote:

A First-Class medical is a goal all of us can establish early, but none
can maintain indefinitely, so why not keep it as long as we can?

I've followed this as well, and I'm healthy enough that I've no concerns
about it.

However, some of the older pilots I know have warned me against this
practice. The concern is apparently that the more in-depth examination
might expose something that would be disqualifying - once known - even
for a 3rd class medical.

I've mixed feelings. On one hand, I'd hate to lose my medical by "over
testing". On the other hand, I'd hate to be caught aware of a medical
problem that could have been detected earlier.

- Andrew

If you get a real physical from your private physician and he/she finds
something, you have the chance of getting it under control to FAA standards
by the time your next FAA physical comes around.

If it is found during your FAA physical, you are screwed.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

wrote:


If you get a real physical from your private physician and he/she
finds something, you have the chance of getting it under control to
FAA standards by the time your next FAA physical comes around.

If it is found during your FAA physical, you are screwed.


You may be screwed either way. If you have your own physical and it finds
something, you're obligated to report it on the FAA medical application
form.

Mike

Mike Adams wrote:
wrote:


If you get a real physical from your private physician and he/she
finds something, you have the chance of getting it under control to
FAA standards by the time your next FAA physical comes around.

If it is found during your FAA physical, you are screwed.


You may be screwed either way. If you have your own physical and it finds
something, you're obligated to report it on the FAA medical application
form.

Mike

Yes, there is always the possibility that you will develop something that
will cause you to fail an FAA physical.

The point is if your personal physician finds it, you at least have a chance
to get it under control before you take a FAA physical and get yourself
denied.

And if you are denied, you can forget about even flying LSA.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

"Mike Adams" wrote in message
.. .
If you have your own physical and it finds something, you're obligated to
report it on the FAA medical application
form.


This is a classic case of unintended consequences from a perfectly
reasonable-sounding governmental regulation. The requirement for medical
certification may actually make pilots, especially Commercial pilots, LESS
healthy because any visit to their private physician has the potential to ground
them and forever remove their livelihood. It is hard to think of any other
group of workers with that type of potential bombshell hanging over their head.

Vaughn