I currently hold a Class 3 medical and want to continue on for my commercial. I want to take my class 2 physical first to be sure I pass. What is the difference between 3rd and 2nd? If I fail the 2nd Class physical will it effect my 3rd Class one that I hold??

I'm thinkin a class 3 and class 2 are the same proddin & pokin. A class 3 is every 2 years, a class 2 is every year, a class 1 is every 6 mos and I think they use longer fingers.

Glidergeek wrote:....... and I think they use longer fingers.

and what do you figure they use them fingers for?

58Skylane wrote:

Glidergeek wrote:....... and I think they use longer fingers.

and what do you figure they use them fingers for?

Deeper prodding and probing. Why do you think those airline pilots skip the TSA lines, they've had enough

Glidergeek wrote:

58Skylane wrote:

Glidergeek wrote:....... and I think they use longer fingers.

and what do you figure they use them fingers for?

Deeper prodding and probing. Why do you think those airline pilots skip the TSA lines, they've had enough

Russ buddy! You need to get out of the office, house or hangar and get some flying done!

The only difference in the two is the time it's good for and that for a 2nd class your vision needs to be correctable to 20/20.

Most important piece of advice to someone looking for an ME is to know them well enough to know, that if they see something 'questionable' they will advise discontinuing the examination and investigating the 'situation' with your primary physician, prior to moving forward. One of our hired pilots turned the litmus paper of his pee test a funny color (but had no ailments), his AME forwarded it to OK city for further investigation. Needless to say this rendered him from pilot to loader until it all got straightened out. OKcity doesn't 'straighten out' anything in a hurry

Take care, Rob

Once you start the new medical your old one is null and void.
So if you fail the 2nd class, you CANNOT use the old 3rd class.

And, "starting" the medical is marking ANYthing on the medical application form. Most AMEs have you fill out the form PRIOR to examination. If you fill out the form, you've initiated the examination process, and if the doc finds anything wrong.....

If there's any question, find a Senior AME to do the exam. They have a little more power in the system, and generally more knowledge.

As to the differences between 3rd, 2nd and 1st: If you're under 40, the big difference is vision. And, the standards for first and second are the same, if you're under 40.

MTV

When the doctor does the "proddin" and rests his hand on your shoulder, that's OK, if he rests his other hand on your other shoulder look out.

Shorton, that's not even funny! Besides, that's the FAA's job, not the doctors. I think these guys must be a lot cuter than me. I just have to turn my head and cough.

One minor difference other than vision: you've got to be able to hear (to whatever the 3rd class standard is) out of BOTH ears for the 2nd class - either ear for third. Not many people impacted by that one, except those of us that are deaf in one ear.

Pretty easy remedy: a one time flight check with the FAA, getting a statement of demonstrated ability (SODA).

20 years ago, I'm about ready for my commercial check ride, so I call up the FSDO to schedule my SODA ride. They say they'll get back to me. In 10 minutes, they call, saying: "have we got a deal for you! We've got a new inspector that needs to be checked out giving oral and practical exams -- and he needs to not only give the commercial ride, he needs to give a SODA too. So you could do both with us, and save the designated examiner fee - probably a couple of hundred bucks. And all it means to you is the new inspector's boss'll be in the back seat. Is that a deal, or what?"

Being young, poor, and stupid, I say: "Sure does! Wow! Thanks!", and we schedule the ride.

After I hang up, I realize that there's going to be food chain on this ride, and I'd be at the bottom.

It all worked out -- the new inspector was a bit of a toad, but HIS boss reigned him in at the right times. Made 'em both flinch hard once during the ride, but that's a different story.

BTW: there was no special function that they did for the "no hearing in one ear" SODA, just observations during the commercial check ride. Don't know what it would have been for a straight ride to get the SODA.

--Tony

If you plan on flying for a living get a first class even if you don't need it now. You can still use it as a second or third for the entire duration of those.

John,

As long as you are UNDER 40 years of age, there are NO medical requirement differences between the first and second class medical. Over 40, the first gets a lot more expensive, because of the requirement for an EKG.

MTV

Interesting, besides the EKG I was under the impression that the blood pressure tolerance was a bit tighter and, from memory here, the vision was a slight bit different too. At least that is what the nurse told me once, with no details. I do know the SODA procedure for color vision is different. In practical terms you are correct, if you can pass the 3rd with no smart assed remarks from the nurse about needing glasses the next time she sees you, or something along those lines, you should be OK for a 1st. The differences are not all that much, EKG aside.

I will say this, if you have any questions ask them before filling out the paperwork. As somebody said once you start it you are committed, those forms are serial numbered and the Doctor has to turn them all in. Don't skip anything, the penalty if the FAA finds out is much worse than reporting it in the first place.

mtv wrote:John,

As long as you are UNDER 40 years of age, there are NO medical requirement differences between the first and second class medical. Over 40, the first gets a lot more expensive, because of the requirement for an EKG.

MTV

And don't forget the ole finger up the...... Well, you know. "Where the sun don't shine"

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/hea ... standards/

As noted by another poster above, unless going through the special issuance process, for second class you must be correctable to 20/20 in BOTH eyes for distance vision. For third class you can be up to 20/40 in each eye.

Also for second class they check your intermediate vision (20/40) they don't in third class.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/standards/

As noted by another poster above, unless going through the special issuance process, for second class you must be correctable to 20/20 in BOTH eyes for distance vision. For third class you can be up to 20/40 in each eye.

Also for second class they check your intermediate vision (20/40) they don't in third class.

Here's a stupid question (which some are used to from me). Can you be color blind and still hold a 1st, 2nd and 3rd class medical card?

Yes, but you have to demonstrate to a Fed you can pass a light gun test.

robertc wrote:Yes, but you have to demonstrate to a Fed you can pass a light gun test.

I know that's true of class two and three, but I suspect that you are out of luck with class one.