Questions for the CFIs thread

[Gatordev]

Probably not an issue for you now, but something to think about in the future. If you've never had an FAA physical, be prepared to be underwhelmed, they are not that in depth.

Yeah, I've had several FAA physicals/certificates in the past and it's not a huge deal, especially compared to even a short form. According to the FAR, the main difference for me would be vision requirements, which isn't that big a deal since either way, I'd probably have to wear glasses depending on the method they use to examine. I just did my flight phyiscal and I was able to beat the Navy machine but sometimes I can't, so no big whoop.

Concur...Just get the class III.

BTW, won't your military up chit qualify as a class III soon anyway? Remember hearing something about a recent FAR change to that effect.

I have another post about that in another thread, but it's still not approved yet as far as I know.

When I got my class II a few years ago, it was the same price. Around Milton that seemed to be the mo for the flight docs I talked to, or at least a difference of only $10 bucks or so.

The flight doc I had the exam with said that the biggest thing that fails most people was the eye portion. The eye test wasn't hard to read, it was just...different, it's hard to explain. If I remember correctly, he said glasses are allowed.

Concur, and that's roughly the price difference I'm seeing ($10-15). I vaguely remember the eye thing being different, as well.

If you want to get a medical, I recommend finding a flight doc who is also an AME. There is a new process where you fill out the medical application online (https://medxpress.faa.gov/). It is pretty slick and in the end all you do is bring in a confirmation number and the AME looks up the application online (I also brought a paper copy). If you're like me and are a medical nightmare a Navy flight doc is an angel. You go in to them, they see your upchit and give you the 2nd/3rd class. The medical standards, as you can imagine, are lower for a 3rd class.


Clear as mud?

Thanks for the link, I'll have to look at that. As far as I understand it, the Navy flight doc can't just look at your upchit and give you a medical. He needs to have the blessing from the FAA. Flight docs who have that in the fleet are hard to come by now. I know Doc Auth at VT-6 said he was working on getting his and it wouldn't surprise me if there's a guy at K'ville who has one as well, but so far here, no luck.

Appreciate the replies, all. Now all I need is some free time to actually go to the doctor...

 

[KBayDog]

I'm by no means a GA expert, but I do some light civil flying in my off time when I'm not flying for Chopper Command. I've got the standard HT-graduate Commercial certificate/ratings, but chose to go the Third Class medical route. I do not intend to exercise Commercial privileges anytime in the near future, so it would just be extra work on my end. For my civil flying (i.e., booming around SoCal on the weekends), the Third Class is all I need.

If you do not intend to exercise Commercial privileges within the 12 months, you're just wasting your time. If you're under the age of 40, the medical certificates are good for five years (used to be three). However, the Second Class medical is good for one year, at which time it "reverts" to a Third Class for the remaining four years for a young buck like yourself.

 

[nugget81]

Funny story about that, just got a nastygram from the FAA re my class III physical that I had to get for IFS. They're all grumpy about the same issues the Navy waived for me to be in aviation and since I didn't provide any of those documents discussing the issue when I got my physical, they're revoking my certificate. In the end I really don't care because I don't plan on getting my PPL or anything, but I think it's kind of hilarious that the DoD and the FAA don't really talk to each other on these kind of things. One would think that since the military is cool with me being in an aircraft that could potentially go into combat, the FAA would be cool with me being PIC of a Cessna.

It may seem like a headache now, but it is probably worth your time to get everything squared away with the FAA. You never know what the future holds and maybe years down the road you decide to get some certifications. If your medical is revoked it is a big deal to the FAA and they will hold it against you later on. Food for thought...

To the OP, if a Class II or III cost the same, why not get the II? It affords you more privileges (who cares whether or not you use them, they're there if you need'em) and you still get the same longevity of use.

 

[FlyinRock]

Why not go for the 2nd? I feel like a few others, if there is something that will show up there I damned sure want to know about it rather than wait for disaster from something that could have been fixed if caught early.
Back in the olden days, I got my 1st class mainly because of my ATP and would renew it each year so that I always had at least the 2nd class working. If I was operating where my ATP was required of course I'd renew every 7 months. (take a careful look at the regs for you who want to jump on that 7 month statement) After I hit 65, I didn't bother with 1st class and just went with 2nd. Now my current medical will expire while I'm in Uganda and no way to renew here, and no reason to since I'm not doing any flying duties. When I do renew, I'll just get a 3rd because the only flying I'm likely to do will be as a CFI or with my family or friends. I'm pushing hard on 73 and still in pretty decent shape but my flying days are fading into the distance.......
Semper Fi
Rocky

 

[Gatordev]

If you do not intend to exercise Commercial privileges within the 12 months, you're just wasting your time. If you're under the age of 40, the medical certificates are good for five years (used to be three). However, the Second Class medical is good for one year, at which time it "reverts" to a Third Class for the remaining four years for a young buck like yourself.

The interwebs failed me on that bit of gouge. I knew it reverted down, but didn't realize it was up to 60 months now. I guess the medical I still have in my wallet that says 24 months might be a bit dated, huh?

 

[bottlenose]

Well, depending on your goals as a civilian pilot...I would go so far as to say go for the 1st even if you dont yet NEED it.

Primary reasoning: Obtaining a 1st class will tell you right away if you are physically capable of ever acting as PIC for an air carrier requiring an ATP. Wouldnt it be nice to know now rather than finding out later whether or not you can even qualify for first class?

BTW, The cost between all classes of medicals should be the same. At least the two docs I've seen demonstrated this.

For what its worth, the University I instruct for requires all student pilots apply for a first class medical, being that the degree program is "Professional Pilot".

 

[Gatordev]

Wouldnt it be nice to know now rather than finding out later whether or not you can even qualify for first class?

I think I'll be alright.

BTW, The cost between all classes of medicals should be the same. At least the two docs I've seen demonstrated this.

And yet, they aren't at other places, but I hear ya.

 

[A4sForever]

Not certain whether or not this has been addressed ... I think HAL came closest on this thread ... but:

SUGGESTION: go to an FAA certified AME (Aviation Medical Examiner -- an FAA certified 'Doc' who can give you your medical) ... and this is key ... THAT YOU KNOW WILL PASS YOU !!!

Don't know who that might be ... ??? Check around w/ the local FBO's and/or the local AME data base maintained by local pilots -- there's where the 'gouge' will be ... at one airline I worked for, we maintained a clipboard on the wall w/ AME's names/addresses ... AND ... comments from guys who had visited them and/or had first hand knowledge of them and their 'practices' ....

Some are good, some not so good, some will pass you if you walk in w/ one arm in a sling, on crutches, and one eye hanging out of its spocket .... but then there's those nits who take their job W-A-A-A-A-AY to seriously and will bust you for the slightest glitch ... which 20 other AMEs (and probably the FAA after a long review period) would pass you on.

It's always good use an AME who is 'connected' to the FAA Medical @ Denver and knows the 'politics' of the FAA medical bureaucracy.

You want a flying job?? Then go to an AME who knows the 'score' and can work to keep you in the cockpit.

You want a 'real' physical for your own health, welfare, and 'how-gozit' purposes??? Then go to a 'real' Doc -- your civilian guy who you will stay with for a long time -- which is often NOT the same guy who holds the 'launch' button on your career.

Just my $20 and 25,000 hours talkin' ... and the experience of many, many other pilots I've bumped into along the way ...

 

[HAL Pilot]

^ And if you are in Vegas, Dr. Dudek is the guy to see. Not only does he meet A4s criteria, he is a Urologist by trade. You will leave with a sample box of Viagra, Cialis and Lavitra; and prescriptions for each along with coupons for more free pills if you fill the prescriptions. (Not that any of us really need this stuff.....)

Doc Dudek also has his fixed wing ATP, comm helo and owns a sweet 182 on floats. He flies more hours each year than most of you guys.

He is the ultimate pilot's quack. He will keep you flying while getting any medical problems fixed.

 

[FlyinRock]

HAL
are you QB LAS by chance? Several good friends in the hangar there.
Semper Fi
Rocky

 

[Stearmann4]

Rocky,

QB SEA Hangar.

Burro,

MR-

 

[HAL Pilot]

HAL
are you QB LAS by chance? Several good friends in the hangar there.
Semper Fi
Rocky

I'm a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines who splits his time between Vegas and Honolulu. I spent a lot of the last 10 years flying the canyon, CFIing, and flying corporate out of LAS.

 

[FlyinRock]

Austin, Hague, Lear. All QB LAS. Known them all 20 yrs +.

 

[Gatordev]

Okay, so next random question...

I recently got a demo flight in a Glasair. It's a complex/HP aircraft (300 HP, blue-knobby things, etc). I have no idea if the guy I flew w/ is a CFI (and don't really care). Can I log the small amount of flight time I got in it? I'm not really operating as a 2P, nor could I (from what I understand) operate as PIC since I currently don't have a Complex/HP endorsement. Or am I mistaken?

This is mostly academic. I'm not worried about the .5 I got, but more curious if it's loggable for my own knowledge.

 

[yak52driver]

Okay, so next random question...

I recently got a demo flight in a Glasair. It's a complex/HP aircraft (300 HP, blue-knobby things, etc). I have no idea if the guy I flew w/ is a CFI (and don't really care). Can I log the small amount of flight time I got in it? I'm not really operating as a 2P, nor could I (from what I understand) operate as PIC since I currently don't have a Complex/HP endorsement. Or am I mistaken?

This is mostly academic. I'm not worried about the .5 I got, but more curious if it's loggable for my own knowledge.

My take on it as a CFII is, as long as you're rated for the A/C, SEL, comlex, high performance, you can log it. The caveat is was there any discussion as to who was PIC. The only reason you need dual in an A/C that you're rated for is to meet insurance requirments.