The FAA on Friday proposed eliminating the requirement for military pilot trainees to obtain a third-class FAA medical certificate when they already hold a current U.S. military pilot medical examination. The change would apply to U.S. military trainees and foreign military trainees whose flight training is sponsored by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Military pilots have been allowed to use qualifying military medical examinations in place of a third-class certificate for certain civil flying since 2009. Military pilot trainees generally still need an FAA medical before conducting solo flights or practical tests in civil aircraft. The FAA has already granted exemptions covering Air Force trainees attending Part 141 civilian flight schools, and the proposed rule would incorporate that relief into Part 61 and extend it to trainees sponsored by all branches of the military.
The FAA said military pilot medical standards applicable under the proposal meet or exceed its third-class standards. The agency estimates about 2,000 military trainees annually are covered by existing exemptions and identified another 450 who could become eligible under the proposed rule. The FAA estimates eliminating the duplicate medical requirement would save about $946,000 annually.
The proposal was placed on public inspection Aug. 7 and is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Aug. 10.
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