General Information
Operations Not Requiring a Medical Certificate
Glider and Free Balloon Pilots are not required to hold a medical certificate of any class. To be issued Glider or Free Balloon Airman Certificates, applicants must certify that they do not know, or have reason to know, of any medical condition that would make them unable to operate a glider or free balloon in a safe manner. This certification is made at the local FAA FSDO.Sport pilots are required to hold either a valid airman medical certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver’s license. When using a current and valid U.S. driver’s license to qualify, sport pilots must comply with each restriction and limitation on their U.S. driver’s license and any judicial or administrative order applying to the operation of a motor vehicle.
To exercise sport pilot privileges using a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of qualification sport pilots must:
- not have been denied the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate (if they have applied for an airman medical certificate)
- not have had their most recent airman medical certificate revoked or suspended (if they have held an airman medical certificate); and
- not have had an Authorization withdrawn (if they have ever been granted an Authorization)
Sport pilot medical provisions are found under 14 CFR §§ 61.3, 61.23, 61.53, and 61.303.
For more information about the sport pilot final rule, see:
