MEDICAL CERTIFICATES ARE DESIGNATED AS FIRST-CLASS LASTING FOR 6 MONTHS, SECOND-CLASS LASTING FOR 1 YEAR, OR THIRD CLASS LASTING FOR 2 YEARS. KEEP IN MIND THESE TIME FRAMES ARE ONLY IF NOTHING MEDICAL COMES UP DURING THE TIME PERIOD.

GENERALLY, FIRST-CLASS IS DESIGNED FOR THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (ATP); SECOND-CLASS FOR THE COMMERCIAL PILOT; AND THIRD-CLASS FOR THE STUDENT, RECREATIONAL AND PRIVATE PILOT.

THERE IS ALSO A SPECIAL ISSUANCE CERTIFICATE THAT IS ISSUED BY THE FAA IN RESPONSE TO A CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITION THAT MAY HAVE OR WILL OCCURE DURING THE AIRMANS CAREER. THESE NORMALLY ARE GOOD FOR 1 YEAR, DEPENDING ON THE CONDITION.

AN AIRMAN IN GENERAL SHOULD ONLY REQUEST THE LENGTHIEST FLIGHT PHYSICAL REQUIRED FOR THEIR AVIATION ACTIVITIES.