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Commercial medical issue

Asked by: 3254 views
Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations

Hi everyone, I have a question. My recent first medical certificate at 3/21/2014,am I legally to apply to commercial rating at 3/3/2016?

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1 Answers



  1. Skyfox on Feb 12, 2016

    When you got a first class medical, that was valid for exercising the privileges of an ATP certificate for 6 months (or 12 months if you’re under 40 years old). When those privileges expire, the certificate downgrades to the next valid certificate level, which means after 6 months it’s no longer current for ATP flight but can still serve as a second class medical for commercial pilot privileges, or after 12 months if you’re under 40 it downgrades to a third class medical for all other flying privileges.

    According to 61.23 in the regs, you only need a second class medical (first class works as well) in order to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate. Those privileges consist of being PIC of an aircraft for hire, meaning you’re getting paid to fly. Going through the training and subsequent checkride of a commercial pilot certificate is not an operation for hire and essentially is just private pilot flight with you as PIC and the checkride examiner as a passenger. So, your medical certificate is still perfectly valid for going for a commercial checkride.

    Talk with your instructor about everything you’ll need for your checkride. Being prepared for it is another good use of making up a checklist.

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