What if I Fail?

FLYING Staff

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A prior denial, revocation, suspension, or withdrawal of an FAA medical certificate application permanently disqualifies an individual from using a driver's license for sport pilot medical certification, unless a new FAA medical certificate is successfully obtained.
Sport pilot limitations apply to sport pilots and private pilots who use a driver's license for medical eligibility, but not to private pilots flying Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) with a valid third-class medical.
Lapsed private pilots can fly as a sport pilot using a driver's license if their most recent FAA medical certificate was not denied or revoked, they meet state driver's license health requirements, and complete an updated 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?