Removal of FAA Third-Class Medical Certificate Requirement for Military Pilot Trainees

What it does

FAA proposes to amend regulations to extend the existing exception for U.S. military pilots from the requirement to hold an FAA third-class medical certificate to military pilot trainees who already meet U.S. military pilot medical examination requirements. FAA has determined that U.S. military pilot medical examinations meet or exceed the level of safety established by FAA third-class medical certificate standards. Therefore, it is redundant to require military pilot trainees to meet both standards. The proposed rule would support streamlining the U.S. military use of civilian flight schools. The intended effects are to reduce administrative burdens and costs while maintaining safety standards.

The Federal Aviation Administration's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What it would change

1 part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

14 CFR 61

Before this

No earlier Federal Register document under regulation identifier 2120-AM23 since Jan. 1, 2025.

What happens next and when

Send comments on or before October 9, 2026.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket FAA-2026-9177 on Regulations.gov
• Title 14 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register