What’s the difference between a first-class and third-class medical?
A third-class medical is the minimum for private pilots. A first-class medical is required to fly as an airline captain and has stricter standards. Career-track students often get a first-class medical from the start to confirm eligibility early.
The classes correspond to the privileges you exercise.
Third-class covers private and recreational flying.
Second-class is for commercial operations, and first-class is required for airline transport pilot privileges.
The exams are similar, but the standards tighten as the class rises.
Anyone serious about an airline career benefits from getting a first-class medical early, so any potential issues surface before significant time and money are invested.
Related Questions
Thinking About Flying as a Career?
The private pilot certificate is the first step toward the flight deck. But if you’re thinking about a career as a pilot you’ll need more then that. Zero Time to Airline is a structured program that takes you from no experience all the way to airline-qualified, with every certificate and rating along the way.
Talk to someone who has flown it.
An admissions advisor can answer the questions this page did not, and tell you which start date is realistic.
Talk to an advisor→