So far, all pilots other than those flying under light sport pilot rules must possess a medical certificate in order to fly legally. These regulations may soon change and you may be able to fly with a driver’s license and by self-assessment of whether you are fit to fly. Whether you have a medical certificate or not, there are many conditions that you should pay attention to. The bottom line is this: If anything to do with your physical or mental state threatens your ability to fly safely, you should not fly.
There are certain medical conditions that the FAA has identified that automatically disqualify you from flying as pilot in command. These conditions include such a wide range of ailments as angina pectoris, psychosis, substance abuse, unexplained disturbances of consciousness and many more. While light sport pilots are exempt from the medical certificate requirements, they still must restrict themselves from flying if they have these kinds of medical conditions. If you find out that you have one of these conditions and your medical certificate is still valid, you must stop flying. It is your responsibility to learn more about these disorders. If you are unsure whether you suffer from a condition that prohibits flight, consult a designated medical examiner.
