Flight Operations Not Requiring a Medical Certificate
Glider, Ballon and Sport Pilot Flight Operations
Apr 2014
Abbreviated Briefing:
Glider, ballon and some sport pilots can fly without medical certification unless they are aware of a medically limiting condition.
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Guidance is compiled and interpreted by professional pilots and physicians at FlightPhysical.com from the 2014 AME Guide pages 16-17, FAA and FDA web data (www.FAA.gov & www.FDA.gov), instructions specified in the Aeronautical Information Manual, Federal Air Surgeon Bulletins from 1999-2015, and 14 CFR Part 61 and Part 67 (the FARs).
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 (Not through an AME office).
“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- Not have had an Authorization withdrawn (if they have ever been granted an Authorization)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 pilots may not use a current and valid U.S. driver’s license in lieu of a valid airman medical certificate if they know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner. Sport pilot medical provisions are found under 14 CFR § 61.3, 61.23, 61.53, and 61.303).
Legal Extract from §61.303
There has been much confusion about medical requirements for Light-Sport Pilots and Recreational when you look at CFR Part 61.303, but the Feds have issued clarification rulings in recent years.
§ 61.315 also states (as of 9 Mar 2014):
- (b) A person using a U.S. driver's license to meet the requirements of this paragraph must—
- Comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by that person's U.S. driver's license and any judicial or administrative order applying to the operation of a motor vehicle;
- Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application (if the person has applied for a medical certificate);
- Not have had his or her most recently issued medical certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate withdrawn; and
- Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner.
FlightPhysical.com's Summary Table of Sport Pilot Medical Requirements
| If You Hold | And you have | Then you may operate | And |
|---|---|---|---|
|
(i) A sport pilot certificate | (A) Any light sport aircraft for which you hold the endorsements required for its category, and class | (1) You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315 |
| (ii) At least a recreational pilot certificate with a category and class rating | (A) Any light sport aircraft in that category and class | (1) You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, nor do you have to comply with the limitations in § 61.315 | |
| (iii) At least a recreational pilot certificate but not a rating for the category and class of light sport aircraft you operate | (A) That light sport aircraft, only if you hold the endorsements required in § 61.321 for its category and class | (1) You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7) | |
| If You Hold | And you have | Then you may operate | And |
|
(i) A sport pilot certificate | (A) Any light sport aircraft for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class | (1) You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315 |
| ii) At least a recreational pilot certificate with a category and class rating | (A) Any light sport aircraft in that category and class | (1) You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, nor do you have to comply with the limitations in § 61.315 | |
| (iii) At least a recreational pilot certificate but not a rating for the category and class of light sport aircraft you operate | (A) That light sport aircraft, only if you hold the endorsements required in § 61.321 for its category and class | (1) You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7) | |
| If You Hold | And you have | Then you may operate | And |
|
(i) A sport pilot certificate | (A) Any light-sport glider or balloon for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class | (1) You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315 |
| At least a private pilot certificate with a category and class rating for glider or balloon | (A) Any light-sport glider or balloon in that category and class | (1) You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, but you must comply with the limitations in § 61.315 | |
| (iii) At least a private pilot certificate but not a rating for glider or balloon | (A) Any light-sport glider or balloon, only if you hold the endorsements required in §61.321 for its category and class | (1) You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7) |
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