How is Medical Examine Different for Commercial?

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Garavar

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Garavar
I understand the different medical types, first, second, third etc. And the frequency they expire. My question is about the examination itself.

For third class if you are breathing during the examination you pretty much pass but how is second different? What else to they check besides making sure you are alive and your vision is a little better?

Also, if I reading the regs right I can get my commercial and keep my third class so long as I don't fly for hire right?
 
There are pitfalls for third class, too. That's why sport pilot and BasicMed exist.

The answer to your last question is yes. You can even exercise sport pilot privileges or fly under BasicMed rules with a commercial certificate, both of which I have done.
 
When I renewed my 3rd class many years ago the AME said I would qualify for second class, so I got that since. He said my vision was the factor, being 20/20 with glasses while 3rd class had a lesser requirement.
 
If you don't have anything that merits a special issuance, the primary difference is vision if you're under 40. Later on, first class needs an EKG.
 
Kritchlow said:
First class gets an extra large scope for the colonoscopy.
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It's a flexible tube with an anus at both ends. (Note, I didn't tell this joke to my gastroenterologist before he started the procedure).
 
Kritchlow said:
First class gets an extra large scope for the colonoscopy.
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FAA requires this as a no anesthesiologist procedure and your facial expressions are analyzed during the exam and compared to the FAA approved issued flash cards to determine if you pass or need additional screening (more tests and $$$ basically).
 
flyingron said:
If you don't have anything that merits a special issuance, the primary difference is vision if you're under 40. Later on, first class needs an EKG.
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That’s what I heard, I’m going to go for a 1st class right before my 40th bday.
 
mandm said:
FAA requires this as a no anesthesiologist procedure and your facial expressions are analyzed during the exam and compared to the FAA approved issued flash cards to determine if you pass or need additional screening (more tests and $$$ basically).
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Is that similar to the way TSA behavior detection officers evaluate facial expressions?
 
My question specifically was what is difference of examination between 2nd and 3rd Class Medical.

Just eye test? Thanks.
 
flyingron said:
If you don't have anything that merits a special issuance, the primary difference is vision if you're under 40. Later on, first class needs an EKG.
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I'm under 40 but only one more year doooh
 
2nd class needs to be correctable to 20/20. 3rd class i believe its 20/40
 
Anthem said:
2nd class needs to be correctable to 20/20. 3rd class i believe its 20/40
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Yep. The 20/40 is the standard in most states for driver's license eye exams. I just passed mine, but just barely. Off to the eye doctor ...
 
Zeldman said:
They squeeze harder when it is time to turn your head and cough....
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Memory.

New to me AME. There I am with my pants and underwear around my ankles. While examining me, the doc says, "So, what do you do for a living?"

Me: "if you think I'm telling you now, you're crazy."
 
There may also be additional eye tests for the 2nd. The following is from the 2nd Class eye section and not present in the 3rd Class requirements.

Bifoveal fixation and vergence-phoria relationship sufficient to prevent a break in fusion under conditions that may reasonably be expected to occur in performing airman duties. Tests for the factors named in this paragraph are not required except for persons found to have more than 1 prism diopter of hyperphoria, 6 prism diopters of esophoria, or 6 prism diopters of exophoria. If any of these values are exceeded, the Federal Air Surgeon may require the person to be examined by a qualified eye specialist to determine if there is bifoveal fixation and an adequate vergence-phoria relationship. However, if otherwise eligible, the person is issued a medical certificate pending the results of the examination.
 
It’s all about the eyes and cost for a second class.
 
My old AME charged extra, but gave a 50% discount for pilots.
 
Garavar said:
My question specifically was what is difference of examination between 2nd and 3rd Class Medical.

Just eye test? Thanks.
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Correct. The only difference in the exam is that for a second class he'll test your near vision in addition to distant vision.
 
Lindberg said:
Correct. The only difference in the exam is that for a second class he'll test your near vision in addition to distant vision.
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Hmmm. Not sure that’s correct. Dr Bruce did my 3rd class and he tested both near and far vision.

Interestingly, my 3rd had a requirement that I used corrective lenses for near vision, but made no mention of correction for far vision. Without contacts, my distance vision is about 20/250.
 
Half Fast said:
Hmmm. Not sure that’s correct. Dr Bruce did my 3rd class and he tested both near and far vision.

Interestingly, my 3rd had a requirement that I used corrective lenses for near vision, but made no mention of correction for far vision. Without contacts, my distance vision is about 20/250.
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You're correct. Both have a near vision requirement, the class 2 adds a middle distance.
 
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