MEDICAL CERTIFICATION BY IAN J. TWOMBLY ARE YOU FIT TO FLY? P Basics of medical certification for aspiring pilots ilots are held to some of the highest medical standards of any profession or avocation in the world. Most everyone-from a top airline captain to the local airport bum heading out for a cheeseburger-must undergo regular medical exams in order to fly. Medical certificates are divided into three categories, each giving the holder the authority to operate certain types of recreational or commercial endeavors. Roughly they are: First class: Airline captains, although most airlines also require it for first officers. Second class: Airline first officers, charter pilots, and all other commercial operations. 42 FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2024 tors, and so on. Third class: Recreational pilots, flight instrucThe classes also refer to the medical standard by which each applicant will be judged. There's no need to obtain a first class certificate if you never plan to fly professionally, for example. However, if you're just starting out and have a hunch that an airline cockpit may be in your future, it's not a bad idea to get a first class certificate at the beginning of your journey to make sure there aren't any potential issues. To obtain a certificate you must visit an aviation medical examiner. These are private doctors who work on behalf of the FAA to examine pilots. The ANDREW BAKER