Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

3 Answers

Can a student pilot fly solo without a medical?

Asked by: 2959 views FAA Regulations, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

I've always understood that student pilots need a medical before they can solo. But reading through Part 61.23(c)(1)(v), it seems to say that student pilots (not just sport pilots) can fly solo with just a driver's license. Here's the wording: "A person must hold and possess either a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter or a U.S. driver's license when -Exercising the privileges of a student, recreational or private pilot certificate if the flight is conducted under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i);"

Am I reading this incorrectly? 

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Russ Roslewski on Jun 09, 2021

    The last few words in that quote require compliance with 61.113i. 61.113i, and further embedded references, is the Basic Med rules. So, correct, a medical is not needed if you can comply with Basic Med.

    However, to operate under Basic Med, you must have previously held a medical certificate already. So this will not really apply to many student pilots, unless it’s been more than 2 years (or 5 years if under 40) since you got your original medical.

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Dustin on Jun 10, 2021

    Thank you Russ, that’s what I thought 67.113(i) was, but wasn’t sure. And I knew the limitation for qualifying for Basic Med (must have held a medical cert in the last 10 years). I was just confused how that could ever apply.. Thanks for clarifying!

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  3. LTCTerry on Jun 19, 2021

    Yes, student pilots may fly w/o a medical.

    Future glider private pilots use their student certificate w/o a medical.

    Future sport pilots use their student certificate w/o a medical (or at least a drivers license in lieu of a medical).

    However, if by “student pilot” you mean “future private pilot flying an ASEL that is not a light sport airplane” then Russ hits the nail on the head above.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.