Blog

Private Pilots Could Fly Without a Medical Certificate

Initial flight training may get a little bit easier for private pilot students.

peascandinavianinstructors

On April 2nd, the FAA announced that the organization would push forward with the rulemaking process for “Private Pilot Privileges without a Medical Certificate.” The move is a response to a joint effort on behalf of EAA and AOPA to get rid of the medical requirement (or at least lessen the requirements) for general aviation pilots.

AOPA and other industry groups have been advocating for a pilot exemption from a third-class medical certificate for many years. In 2012, AOPA and EAA backed a legislative proposal called the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act that would allow VFR pilots with less than six passengers to fly without a medical certificate.

AOPA says that there is no current safety concern with certain operations in which a medical certificate is not required for the pilot, such as glider or sport pilot operations.

In the past, the FAA has responded to these requests negatively, or not at all. This time, they responded to say that they’d push forward with the rulemaking process to allow private pilots to fly without a medical certificate.

The FAA hasn’t said specifically who would be eligible to fly without a medical, but the title of the announcement – “Private Pilot Privileges without a Medical certificate” – suggests that the new rule, if passed, would apply to private pilots only. It’s likely that the new regulation will mimic the Sport Pilot regulations, in which pilots will be responsible for self-assessment and will be required to hold a valid driver’s license.

The new rules would make it easier and less expensive for new students to begin flying. It would also eliminate the long wait times and costly doctor’s visits for those pilots who have to continuously go through the FAA’s special issuance process for aviation medical certification.




Read More Posts Like This

PEA
Blog Multi-Engine Course for Pilots

As the saying goes, “the sky is not the limit—it’s only the beginning.” This idea resonates deeply with every student who steps through the doors at Phoenix East Aviation. It’s a reminder that in aviation, the opportunities truly are as wide as the sky. Every...

planes in the sky during daily airshow at EAA Oshkosh AirVenture
Newsletter EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Recap – with Phoenix East Aviation

The skies over Wittman Regional Airport were nothing short of spectacular this past July as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 welcomed aviation enthusiasts from all over the world. The world’s largest fly-in convention drew an astounding 704,000 attendees from July 21-25, superseding last year’s total of...

The-Doctors-Clinic.Aviation-Medicine.2024-768x419 - Blog
Blog FAA Approved Medications for Pilots

For millions of people worldwide, prescription medications are an essential part of maintaining health and well-being. Yet for pilots, medication use comes with careful examination. Every prescription goes through intense evaluation to see how that specific medication might affect a pilot’s physical and cognitive ability....