Glider, ballon and some sport pilots can fly without medical certification unless they are aware of a medically limiting condition.
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- Not have had an Authorization withdrawn (if they have ever been granted an Authorization)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.