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Comment by Blackthorn | Hacker News Reader

Dealing with the FAA over medical certification for mere third-class is enough to turn anyone into a government-hating conservative.

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True. This is why I advise all of my students who want to be casual fliers only (i.e. not flying for hire) to switch to Basic Med. No need to seek out an AME (any family doctor can do it) and the appointment is only every four years (instead of every two if you are over 45). Even flight instructors can instruct with Basic Med.

I wish. You have to get a third class at least once before you can use Basic Med though.

true, basicmed was a relative disappointment based on what people were originally hoping for.

have you considered sport pilot or lsa?

You can't do either if you've already applied for third class medical.

so a pending (not a denied) class 3 means you can’t fly under lsa? ugh, that sucks.

what about glider or motor glider? same deal?

(i am a private pilot who let his valid class 3 expire, flying under basicmed, getting more into lsa and motorgliders)

Really? After filling the form online, I just went to an AME that I booked and got out of there after perhaps an hour, certificate in hand.

Be glad you have the good fortune to not fall under the incredibly common conditions that get you into the "special issuance" bucket or flat-out denied.

Which would those be?

If you take an SSRI for anything (like a huge percentage of the population), good luck.

you better not be sad!

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