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FAA Medical Duration Rules Change

by Darren Smith, CFII/MEI
IFR Checkride Reviewer, July, 2008

One of the most dramatic changes to the Federal Aviation Regulations occurred on July 24, 2008. The FAA changed the rules for duration of FAA Medical Certificates. This revision to FAR 61.23(d) primarily extends the duration of FAA Medicals that were issued to pilots when they were under 40. Here is a summary of the changes:

Medical Type	Type of Operation (Acting As A...)	Your Age When Issued	Duration
1st Class Medical	Airline Transport Pilot	< 40	12 Calendar Months
	Airline Transport Pilot	>= 40	6 Calendar Months
	Commercial Pilot	Any Age	12 Calendar Months
	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	< 40	60 Calendar Months
	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	>= 40	24 Calendar Months
2nd Class Medical	Commercial Pilot	Any Age	12 Calendar Months
	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	< 40	60 Calendar Months
	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	>= 40	24 Calendar Months
3rd Class Medical	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	< 40	60 Calendar Months
3rd Class Medical	Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, CFI	>= 40	24 Calendar Months

As you can see from this chart, the major change is to any class of medical when used for Student, Sport, Recreational, Private, or CFI privileges. If your medical was issued to you up until the last day of your 39th year, then your medical is valid for 60 calendar months for Non-Commercial or Non-ATP purposes. The calculation for the expiration of a medical is that it would "expire at the end of the last day of ____th month after the month of the date of expiration shown on the medical certificate. (Source: FAR 61.23)"

Thanks to Blake, a colleague of mine for making me aware of this.

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FAA Medical Duration Rules Change

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