FAA Drops Third-Class Med Cert for U.S. Military Pilot Trainees
Published Date: 8/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Trainees exempted from FAA medical
If you are a U.S. military pilot trainee or a foreign military pilot trainee sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces and you have an up-to-date U.S. military pilot medical examination authorizing pilot flight status, you would not need to hold an FAA third-class medical certificate to conduct civilian flight training. The proposed change applies to trainees sponsored by all branches (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard and Reserve) and would allow such trainees to act as pilot in command for flights that do not require a higher-than-third-class medical certificate while they remain an active military pilot trainee or become a U.S. military pilot.
Estimated federal cost savings
FAA estimates the proposed rule would affect about 1,850 U.S. Armed Forces trainees and 150 U.S. Armed Forces–sponsored foreign trainees (2,000 total) each year and would eliminate the need to process FAA third-class medical certificate applications for them. FAA estimates combined savings of $946,000 per year (based on $437 applicant cost + $36 FAA review per application × 2,000) and estimates $2.9 million in savings over five years using a 7% discount rate (or $3.4 million over five years at a 3% discount rate), with annualized savings beginning in 2027.
Limits, exclusions, and supervisory oversight
The exception would apply only to military pilot trainees who have an up-to-date U.S. military pilot medical examination authorizing pilot flight status and who are actively receiving U.S. Armed Forces–sponsored pilot training. Trainees who are voluntarily or involuntarily separated from training would no longer qualify, and military medical examinations that only authorize remote piloting or non-pilot roles would not meet the proposed definition, so those individuals would still need an FAA third-class medical certificate.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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