How long is the third class medical valid for someone over 40 years old after the third examination?

For a person over 40 years old, a third-class medical certificate is valid for a period of 24 months after the examination date. This regulation ensures that the pilot’s health is monitored more frequently as age may increase the risk of medical issues that could affect flight safety.

The 24-month validity period is designed to ensure that pilots maintain a level of health that is necessary for safe operation of an aircraft, particularly as age can bring about new health concerns. Therefore, it is important for pilots over this age to renew their medical certificate regularly to ensure they remain fit to fly. This standard is based on FAA regulations, which reflect a proactive approach to aviation safety.