Pilot Aviation Medical Exam - Flight Physical

Getting your FAA pilot aviation medical exam or flight physical makes some people nervous if they haven’t done it before. In this video I break down what to expect.

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[terryboyer]

I wanted to be a pilot since I was a little kid. Years ago I was finally able to take some lessons but needed a 3rd class license to be a student. All went well until the eye exam. I'm very near sighted. With my glasses on I was good to go. But then the AME said read the chart as far down as you can without them. Well I couldn't even see the chart let alone read letters. He said I had to read at least the top line to pass. I was devastated! He finally said can you see the letter that comes after D? I said what? He repeated the letter that comes after D. I said you mean E? He smiled and said that's good enough! What a great guy!

[Aviatial]

Thanks Kelsey! I have a friend at Air Cadets who is colour blind, and he was told that he could not be a pilot. It shows that not only do you need good health but you need to meet certain expectations beyond your control. Great video, thank you 😄✈️

Edit: Honestly, every video you upload, you completely explain everything in such a simple way. Other people have explained these things but nobody explains them as well as you! Good job! 😁

[j.kylenorsworthy]

I’m getting mine tomorrow for the first time... first step to the skies. Here we goo!!!

[BaldwinBay]

Merchant Marine License. I have to renew every 5 years.
Just passed my physical again and I'm good to go. I will be 70 years old next renewal. Similar medical physical for Mariners. Great video. Thanks.

[davidhood]

I am a type 1 diabetic pilot and have been able to get a medical. It’s important for people to know that while you can’t get an unrestricted medical as a diabetic you can receive a special issuance medical if you can show you are stable in treatment.

[joshr]

Just got my First Class last week! Honestly, it was rather simple and easy. Another great video, Kelsey! And congrats on reaching 60k already!

[mattmartucci_]

Just passed my first class medical. It was a very easy process and is nothing to worry about.

[nathanbauer]

For the men out there, find an AME who doesn't make you turn your head and cough! Great video, Kelsey.

[ckhog]

I made a mistake of being truthful. Doctor: ever been depressed? Me: for a while couple years ago after my wife left me. Doctor: DENIED took over a year to rectify that truthfulness Moral: Lie

[Aviatial]

For the question at the end, to be honest I just fear the unknown lol. Who knows if I have some kind of condition or something I’m unaware of. Just walking in to the health exam, and then being told something you don’t want to hear would be awful. Great video as always, love your channel! 😁✈️

[melanionhendra]

Thanks for this one Kelsey! Just took my medical, and passed with flying colours (pun intended). You really calmed my nerves beforehand!

[davegrundgeiger]

HUGE fan of the channel here! I look forward to every video, and often go back to rewatch old ones (like this one). I know this has been mentioned a number of times in the comments below, but please consider correcting your statement at 5:04 ("If you have diabetes, you can't be a pilot.") That's not at all what that line you quoted from the FAR/AIM says. The part that says "... that requires insulin or any other hypoglycemic drug for control" cuts way down on who that sentence applies to. It's not everyone with diabetes and it's not everyone who's taking drugs for diabetes (because there are diabetes drugs. that don't fall into that category). In fact, I'd bet that it doesn't even apply to most people with type 2 diabetes, though I imagine that it would apply to everyone with type 1 diabetes, since they have to take insulin. Again, love the channel! Thank you for all you do!

[kelgoneimy]

Every time I see the notification for a new video upload. I get so psyched! Thank you so much for enabling my Aviation enthusiasm. LOL

[mattfairfield]

I sense a little sarcasm in your voice when you say with a smile, “and you’ll be doing this exam every year, or six months!” HAhaha

[genevieve]

As always, awesome video. I'm not surprised eyesight is one of the top questions you get. I didn't fully expect that colour blindness would be a no go, but it makes sense now that I think about it. I'd fail for sure as my eyesight is horrendous.

[jfeeble]

Thanks for the info. In the process of selecting a rotorwing school and this was helpful.

[tonyphillips]

I haven't read all 422 comments, so I don't know if this has been mentioned. One item stated in Kelsey's video was a bit over-generalized. In fact, you CAN get a Class III medical even if you have diabetes, whether it be type 1 or type 2. There are protocols for special issuance, and, as long as your doctor and AME cooperate, you can be a pilot. I earned my PPL/ASEL+IP under this protocol even though I was diagnosed ten years prior. Sure, Kelsey is speaking mostly from the commercial / ATP point of view, which require a higher class medical certificate which does not permit a special issuance for diabetes, but if anyone reading this comment wants to be a sport / recreational / private pilot: Diabetes is not an immediate disqualifier. Because I've never been denied a certificate, and I had a valid Class III before the deadline, I can even renew under FAA BasicMed. Best advice from me: Find an AME that knows what they're doing and talk to them about your issues. Chances are, they'll work with you and get you your medical certificate.

[jameskang]

Hey Kielce,

Thanks for this video! It was absolutely helpful! Few things I’m worried about is the blood pressure and eye sight.

[SpeedyWinds]

As always thumbs up for good content captain!

[AtomicRoadFarm]

Great video, as always.... Thank you for taking the time to make these for us