Overview
The FAA mandates that every person acting as Pilot-in-Command of an aircraft be physically healthy enough to handle that responsibility. They ensure this by requiring pilots to pass a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) at given intervals based upon the type of operation conducted and pilot age. The FAA Medical Certificate is the proof that this medical examination occured and the results were satisfactory. However, it is crucially important to remember that a pilot may not exercise the privileges of his or her medical certificate whenever they know of any medical condition that could be potentially disqualifying. Dependent upon the operational needs of the pilot, he or she may choose to receive an exam for First, Second, or Third Class medical certificate.