Aviation Exam Types

Name	Description
FAA Class 1	A 1st Class medical is required when flight operations require an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. An ATP is required to act as the Pilot in Command (PIC) or Captain of a scheduled airliner. First-Class Medical Certificates have the toughest standards with higher requirements for vision, cardiovascular health, and other aspects of physical fitness.	View
FAA Class 2	2^nd Class Medical Certificate A second-class medical is required for: Airline pilots exercising second-in-command privileges of an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate Pilots utilizing privileges of their commercial pilot certificate	View
FAA Class 3	3^rd Class Medical Certificate Hobbyists, pilots that use their personal airplane for travel, and other non-commercial pilots generally opt for the third-class medical. A third-class medical is required for: All pilots wishing to exercise privileges of a private pilot certificate Recreational pilot certificate Student pilot certificate When exercising privileges of a flight instructor certificate or acting as a required flightcrew member (aside from the aforementioned for a first-class medical) A pilot examiner must at least hold a third-class medical to perform their duties In addition, the third-class medical must not be expired when taking a practical test for any of the aforementioned certificates (and including an airline transport certificate)	View
FAA BasicMed	Who can Fly under BasicMed? Pilots exercising Private pilot privileges as Pilot in Command (PIC) or as a required flightcrew member (such as a safety pilot) Flight Instructors Pilot Examiners Aircraft Requirements Any aircraft authorized under federal law to carry not more than 7 occupants Has a maximum certificated takeoff weight of not more than 12,500 pounds (up from prior limit of 6000 lbs) FAA Updates BasicMed Program Friday, November 15, 2024 WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration updated its BasicMed regulations to allow pilots to operate larger aircraft and carry more passengers. BasicMed, which took effect in 2017, allows pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate provided they meet certain conditions. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 required the FAA to expand BasicMed to: Increase the number of allowable passengers to six from five, and the number of occupants to seven from six. Increase the maximum aircraft takeoff weight to 12,500 lbs. from 6,000 lbs., excluding transport category helicopters. Allow pilot examiners to conduct flight checks using BasicMed in aircraft that are covered by the BasicMed rule.	View