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No need to get a second class medical unless you want to exercise commercial pilot privileges. You can do the training and checkride using BasicMed.TimTaylor wrote:There is no reason to ever get another FAA medical unless you get a second class to go for a Commercial certificate. In two years, switch to Basic Med.
If you are over 40, it is less expensive to do BasicMed instead of the third class physicals. If you are under 40 the third class physical is the way to go.vespadaddy wrote: Anyway, now I'm good for 2 years, and then will need to decide if I want to see the AME again, or go basic med.
I would never advise anyone to get an FAA physical unless they needed to. Why take the risk of failing and getting grounded for life? Unknown health issues can show up at any age. If you do it as part of your normal health screening, there is a good chance your insurance will cover it, depending on your policy. I think most people have a physical more often than every four years, so there is no added cost at all.3Dreaming wrote:If you are over 40, it is less expensive to do BasicMed instead of the third class physicals. If you are under 40 the third class physical is the way to go.vespadaddy wrote: Anyway, now I'm good for 2 years, and then will need to decide if I want to see the AME again, or go basic med.
I would be surprised if men in the 50 and under age group, unless they have a known medical condition, get a physical on any sort of regular basis, unless it is required for some reason (flight, DOT, work, or sports). And more so for the 40 and under group. I think women do a better job of getting regular physicals.TimTaylor wrote:I would never advise anyone to get an FAA physical unless they needed to. Why take the risk of failing and getting grounded for life? Unknown health issues can show up at any age. If you do it as part of your normal health screening, there is a good chance your insurance will cover it, depending on your policy. I think most people have a physical more often than every four years, so there is no added cost at all.3Dreaming wrote:If you are over 40, it is less expensive to do BasicMed instead of the third class physicals. If you are under 40 the third class physical is the way to go.vespadaddy wrote: Anyway, now I'm good for 2 years, and then will need to decide if I want to see the AME again, or go basic med.
So, an AME recommends going to an AME? What a surprise!3Dreaming wrote: It was his opinion that for the 40 and under group the getting a FAA medical was a better choice.
Yep, especially if it is going to save the pilot money. Assuming the exams are the same price, a person under the age of 40 can save 20% by getting a FAA 3rd class medical every 5 years instead of a BasicMed exam every 4 years.drseti wrote:So, an AME recommends going to an AME? What a surprise!3Dreaming wrote: It was his opinion that for the 40 and under group the getting a FAA medical was a better choice.
I would never advise someone to risk losing their flying privileges to save 20 percent, especially when their basic med exam should be covered by their insurance policy. I have gotten annual physicals for 49 years and never paid for any of them. It's just too bad I don't qualify for basic med. Bummer.3Dreaming wrote:Yep, especially if it is going to save the pilot money. Assuming the exams are the same price, a person under the age of 40 can save 20% by getting a FAA 3rd class medical every 5 years instead of a BasicMed exam every 4 years.drseti wrote:So, an AME recommends going to an AME? What a surprise!3Dreaming wrote: It was his opinion that for the 40 and under group the getting a FAA medical was a better choice.
I am not sure who you think is advising someone to risk losing pilot privileges.TimTaylor wrote:I would never advise someone to risk losing their flying privileges to save 20 percent, especially when their basic med exam should be covered by their insurance policy. I have gotten annual physicals for 49 years and never paid for any of them. It's just too bad I don't qualify for basic med. Bummer.3Dreaming wrote:Yep, especially if it is going to save the pilot money. Assuming the exams are the same price, a person under the age of 40 can save 20% by getting a FAA 3rd class medical every 5 years instead of a BasicMed exam every 4 years.drseti wrote:
So, an AME recommends going to an AME? What a surprise!
Most people understand that every time you have an FAA physical you risk the diagnosis of a disqualifying medical condition. Some can be resolved via a special issue and some can't. Some of those would not necessarily make you an unsafe pilot for basic med or LSA, but would ground you for life.3Dreaming wrote:I am not sure who you think is advising someone to risk losing pilot privileges.TimTaylor wrote:I would never advise someone to risk losing their flying privileges to save 20 percent, especially when their basic med exam should be covered by their insurance policy. I have gotten annual physicals for 49 years and never paid for any of them. It's just too bad I don't qualify for basic med. Bummer.3Dreaming wrote:
Yep, especially if it is going to save the pilot money. Assuming the exams are the same price, a person under the age of 40 can save 20% by getting a FAA 3rd class medical every 5 years instead of a BasicMed exam every 4 years.
vespadaddy wrote:Well, all is well that ends well.
I completed the MedXpress form, got my secret number, took a photo of it with my phone, printed the form, and went in.
I breezed through the exam, and was relieved when the Dr. told me I was approved for 3rd class, no restrictions. I went up to the counter to pay and supply the receptionist with the secret number, but she had already logged me in, as the number is on the bottom of the MedXpress printout! D'oh!
Anyway, now I'm good for 2 years, and then will need to decide if I want to see the AME again, or go basic med.
The AME was Dr. Philip Sidell, in Edina, MN. There was a Delta employee finishing up her payment paperwork when I arrived. I get the impression a lot of the airline pilots see this guy. I was nervous, but it all worked out. PPL here I come.
Of course3Dreaming wrote:No need to get a second class medical unless you want to exercise commercial pilot privileges. You can do the training and checkride using BasicMed.TimTaylor wrote:There is no reason to ever get another FAA medical unless you get a second class to go for a Commercial certificate. In two years, switch to Basic Med.
For the OP since he is obviously over 40 since his medical expires in 2 years, I would absolutely recommend BasicMed. The only reason not to would be if there is some other reason that requires he get a FAA medical.TimTaylor wrote: And, we're not talking about some sort of pre-physical, we're talking about an "on-the-record" FAA flight physical as the OP had and pondered what he should do in two years.
And I would recommend basic med for anyone who qualifies at any age who does not require an FAA 3rd class physical for the reasons I posted. And I'm not talking about Sport Pilots, or people exercising Sport Pilot privileges or people flying balloons, gliders, parachutes, or radio controlled aircraft.3Dreaming wrote:For the OP since he is obviously over 40 since his medical expires in 2 years, I would absolutely recommend BasicMed. The only reason not to would be if there is some other reason that requires he get a FAA medical.TimTaylor wrote: And, we're not talking about some sort of pre-physical, we're talking about an "on-the-record" FAA flight physical as the OP had and pondered what he should do in two years.