What if I Fail?

FLYING Staff

Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots who have previously had an FAA medical certificate application denied, revoked, suspended, or withdrawn cannot use a driver's license for sport pilot medical eligibility; they must obtain a valid FAA medical certificate.
Sport pilot limitations apply to sport pilots and private pilots using a driver's license for medical eligibility, but not to private pilots flying light sport aircraft with a valid third-class medical.
Former private pilots can fly as sport pilots using their driver's license if their last FAA medical certificate was passed and they meet state driver's license health standards, provided they complete updated flight training and a flight review.

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Jabiru 250 (Photo: EAA / Jim Koepnick)

Each month, Flying answers questions about the new sport pilot/light sport aircraft rule with assistance from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the authority on the opportunities available within the category commonly known as “sport pilot”:

Q: My medical examination is next month. If I “fail,” I know I cannot fly as a sport pilot using my driver’s license for medical certification, but is this forever? Could I wait, say six months or one year, and then apply for sport pilot?