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Student pilot medical required?

Asked by: 1852 views FAA Regulations

Is a student pilot required to have a medical to excercise their privileges? what about to go solo? do they need the medical to take the PPL written?

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2 Answers



  1. Bryan on Sep 14, 2022

    61.23(a)(3) A person must hold at least a third-class medical certificate (i) when exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, or student pilot certificate AND (iii) when taking a PRACTICAL test.

    So for a student pilot to exercise the privileges of their certificate (including solo), they must have a third-class medical. There are some exceptions for light-sport, glider, or balloon, but I’m assuming airplane.

    But note that only the practical test requires a medical certificate. The knowledge test could be taken from your death bed because your health situation will not put anyone else at risk in any way during a knowledge test.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Sep 18, 2022

    A student pilot in a non-LSA requires a third class certificate to solo or take the checkride.

    Can also do BasicMed but that also requires a third class at some point. But that’s not relevant to most student pilots.

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