What is required for student pilots regarding medical certificates?

For student pilots, obtaining a Class 3 medical certificate is an essential requirement to ensure they meet the health and safety standards necessary for flying. A Class 3 medical certificate is generally less stringent than the Class 1 or Class 2 certificates and is specifically geared towards pilots in training or those exercising private pilot privileges.

The validity period for a Class 3 medical certificate depends on the pilot’s age; it is valid for 60 months for pilots under the age of 40. This means that student pilots need to possess a valid Class 3 medical certificate to legally act as pilot-in-command, ensuring they do not have medical conditions that could impair their ability to fly safely.

While other options might suggest alternatives to medical certification, they do not comply with the regulations set by the FAA for student pilots. Having no medical certificate at all would not grant students the legality to solo or act as pilots. BasicMed certification is another pathway for certain pilots but is not applicable during the training phase for student pilots who need a traditional medical certificate.