3rd class medical for commercial certificate?

Question

I'm a little confused, I'm 20 and have a 3rd class medical. My medical is about to expire and I'm going for a commercial certificate in the next 2 weeks. If I get another 3rd class medical I'm good to go right? This medical stuff kind of confuses me, sorry for the question.

Answer 1

A 2nd class medical lasts for 12 months and at the end of the 12 months, it becomes a 3rd class medical for another 36 months (if you're under 40).

If you get a 1st class medical, it lasts for 6 months, and at the end of the 6 months, it becomes a 2nd class medical for another 12 months, then a 3rd class medical for 36 months, or 24 months if you're over 40.

Answer 2

It depends on what you want to do after you get your commercial certificate.  If you want to instruct you will be okay with a 3rd class.  If you want to be a commercial pilot you will most likely need a 2nd class.  

I found a place that only charged $5 more for a 1st class.  That was a couple years ago, but since then it has downgraded.

Look up the information in the FARs.  You will see how long each certificate is valid for as well as what is included in the examination.

Answer 3

You can get a 3rd class medical and be fine for the checkride, but you can't exercise any privileges of the commercial certificate unless you have a 2nd class medical.  This means you can get your commercial certificate, but you can't do anything that you couldn't do with your private certificate if you just have a 3rd class medical certificate.  I'd get the 2nd class.

Just some friendly advice:  this is basic certificate privilege and limitation knowledge.  You'll want to make sure you have a good understanding of all of this before your checkride unless you want a very stressful (and possibly unsuccessful) oral, especially at the commercial level.

Answer 4

You're fine with a third class.  You only need a second class or better to act as a commercial pilot- unless you're instructing, then a third will suffice.  For any checkride, since you are not acting as anything other than PIC of the airplane... you only need to have a valid medical of any class.  And actually, if the examiner is ok with it... you don't even need to have a medical-- they'd be acting as PIC though.  Not many examiners will go along with that-- they usually don't want the liability.  

Why not get a second class medical though?

Answer 5

You only need to possess a third class medical to take the checkride.   HOWEVER, you need at least a seconds class to exercise the privileges of your new commercial certificate.  you will also need a first class medical to exercise an ATP if you decide to go that far.  Most people just pony up the extra $10 and get the first class, then use it for three years.