Third Class Medical to Teach???

R

Revolutionist

New Member
My CFI told me that all you need is a Third Class medical to teach. How is this possible, considering that is teaching not a "for-hire" operation? And thus, why would my CFI not need at least a Second Class medical?
 
Sec. 61.23

Medical certificates: Requirement and duration.

[(a) Operations requiring a medical certificate. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a person:
(1) Must hold a first-class medical certificate:
(i) When exercising the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate; or
(ii) If that person has reached his or her 60th birthday and serves as a pilot in 14 CFR part 121 operations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 61.23(d)(1)(iii), that person's first-class medical certificate expires, for 14 CFR part 121 operations, at the end of the last day of the 6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(2) Must hold at least a second-class medical certificate when exercising the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate; or
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate--
(i) When exercising the privileges of a private pilot certificate;
(ii) When exercising the privileges of a recreational pilot certificate;
(iii) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate;
(iv) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and acting as the pilot in command;
(v) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and serving as a required pilot flight crewmember;
 
esa17 said:
As a CFI you are being paid to teach not fly. It is not a commercial op.
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:yeahthat:
One of many ways in which the FAA deems the CFI ticket and limitations to be entirely separate from the commercial ticket.
 
Even though a flight instructor certificate is only valid when accompanied a commercial pilot certificate, it is not a commercial operating privilege. Therefore only a third class medical is required.
 
Read an article about common reasons CFI's fail checkrides and it included a section on applicants not knowing medical certificate requirements to flight instruct. You obviously need a 3rd class to take the checkride (in the PTS), but as a flight instructor you only need a 3rd class when acting as PIC (flying with student pilots, initial multi applicants, etc...) any other time you technically don't even need a medical.

make sure you touch up on that...almost a guarantee that they are going to ask you that on the checkride!
 
I understand all that, but how can a CFI log, not act, PIC without a current medical when instructing a student properly rated with a medical?
 
Brian Z said:
I understand all that, but how can a CFI log, not act, PIC without a current medical when instructing a student properly rated with a medical?
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What does having a current medical have to do with a CFI logging PIC?

Don't answer without looking at 61.51 for what entitles a CFI to log PIC time.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
You betcha! Including in that sweet LSA in your avatar (so long as that medical wasn't denied or revoked)
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Yeah, its a blast to fly. I'd love to get a chance to instruct in it, but I'm not sure that the flight school its out of needs an instructor (and well, I'd have to get moving on getting the CFI stuff done). The other LSA they have they don't let students solo, but its a blast since its an L-16.
 
To take it a step further, it is not necessary to have a medical for a great many CFI operations. LSA, glider, LTA, and when not acting as PIC in a helicopter or airplane.
 
Guy said:
To take it a step further, it is not necessary to have a medical for a great many CFI operations. LSA, glider, LTA, and when not acting as PIC in a helicopter or airplane.
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not acting as PIC or a required crewmember in a helicopter or airplane. People always seem to forget that one even though it's a pretty big one.
 
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