1st Class Medical

[Garf]

I wanted some of your views on the duration of a 1st Class Medical.

As per 61.23 c1ii, if you are not acting PIC with an ATP certificate, your medical is good for one year.

I need some input please.

 

[7B2]

that's correct

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Hmmmm, Lots of variables here. Not to be picky, but the only place you must have a first class med is 121 PIC. It has nothing to do with ATP. Other than you must hold an ATP to be a 121 PIC.

And technically speaking it never ceases to be a first class medical, you lose first class medical privledges after six months, and then your first class medical is good for second class privledges for another 6 months, when it then ceases to be good for commercial, then you can continue on with 3rd class privledges until its expiration (which now depends on the age of the medical holder) up to 3 years now I believe.

 

[WMUSIGPI]

Hmmmm, Lots of variables here. Not to be picky, but the only place you must have a first class med is 121 PIC. It has nothing to do with ATP. Other than you must hold an ATP to be a 121 PIC.

Not quite true. There are FAR 135 jobs that require an ATP and therefore a first class med. Any time an ATP is required by regulations (not just insurance) then a first class med is also required.

Though many part 91 operators require you to hold an ATP and first class med based on insurance requirements, as far as the FAA is conserned you are good to go with a commercial and second class med

 

[rubberducky]

I work as an FO at a part 121 carrier and they require me to have a class one medical. However I only need to renew once a year (i.e., first class privileges not required of me).

 

[midlifeflyer]

And technically speaking it never ceases to be a first class medical,

Whenever I hear this question, someone always ends up saying that it "changes into another class". I immediately get a visual image of someone waking up on the first day of the seventh calendar month after receiving a First Class medical, opening his wallet and finding that the certificate now says,

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE SECOND CLASS

As you point out, 61.23 tells us pretty straightforwardly that a First Class is good for 6 months if you're doing something that requires an ATP, good for 12 months if you're doing something that requires a commercial pilot certificate, and 24 or 36 months if you're doing something that requires a lower level certificate.