Do military pilots hold FAA Class I medical certificates? Or are they issued a military version different from civilian pilots?

Military pilots are not required to hold FAA medical certificates. In fact we don't even have to hold an FAA "license." The military chooses to follow FAA regulations but are not legally bound to.

As far as medical certificates go, Coast Guard pilots and aircrew are required to have a full flight physical every two years. They are comparable with FAA physicals.

The FAA just recently allowed military pilots who hold FAA flight certificates to use their military physicals as their FAA physical. Prior to that one would have to get their flight surgeon or a FAA certified doctor to fill out FAA physical forms.

Thanks, tank.

So does the CG allow thier pilots to fly on medications that are banned by the FAA for civilian pilots? Is the CG more strick or less strict in this are? Or is it more of a case by case basis?

Honestly, I don't know all the medications banned by the FAA. We are pretty restricted on what medications we can fly with while using them. We are offically banned from using any medication without permission from the flight surgeon including over the counter drugs. However, most flight surgeons put out a list of substances they will allow aircrew to use without a consult with the doc, such as aspirin, antacids etc. We can't use any of the ephedrine drinks either.

I would guess overall, we are more restricted than civil pilots. Are you planning get a lot of medication in the near future or something?

quote:

Originally posted by tankkllr:
Are you planning get a lot of medication in the near future or something?

Nope. Was just having a discussion with a fellow pilot about SSRI use and flying. If a pilot who's going through a rough patch in life and needs a 50 mg of Zoloft or somethinng for a couple months to take the edge off is now gounded cause the FAA says SSRI's are bad. Just wondering if military pilots, who see some nasty things on the job, and may be dealing with some PTSD issues, and put on meds are still allowed to fly, where a civilian would be grounded under FAA regs.

I know an 80 year old acrobatic pilot in conneticut that just passed his flight physical and is good to go. I play paddle tennis with his ex daughter in law. I would not fly with this dude. He keeps a share in a plane down the Cape and also in Florida.
Those flight physicals for general aviation are not much more than a walk around I guess.
Fly straight,
Dick

Military Flight Physical:

Slack Jaw..........................Check
Goat Shoulders.....................Check
Palsy Shake (Rotary Wing Only).....Check
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ..........Check
Two Left Feet .....................Check
Plate/Screws in Skull .............Check
(head shrapnel may be substituted)
Loss of Feeling, Buttocks Area ....Check
At Least One Eye Able to Read A ......Check
Road Map

I can remember the Doc looking me up and down and saying I was too young for a flight physical. A couple of quick signatures and I was on my way. I think he tested my sight and my hearing for any turbine damage. What I needed was a good dentist while I was in Alaska!
Peace,
Dick

quote:

Originally posted by SociallyAutistic:
Military Flight Physical:

Slack Jaw..........................Check
Goat Shoulders.....................Check
Palsy Shake (Rotary Wing Only).....Check
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ..........Check
Two Left Feet .....................Check
Plate/Screws in Skull .............Check
(head shrapnel may be substituted)
Loss of Feeling, Buttocks Area ....Check
At Least One Eye Able to Read A ......Check
Road Map

You forgot barreled chest for all the medals.

I played tennis tonight with a guy who sell insurance to the aircraft industry and he knew a 90 year old designated FAA inspector who had his licence and passed his physical well into his 90's. Sbatta Laducci was his name from Conneticut or NY. I might have messed up his name a bit. He was giving flight test in his 90's, wow!
Peace ,
Dick

Coast Guard Aviators are allowed to self medicate with only a few medications such as robitussin and ibuprofen. All other medications must be cleared by the Flight Surgeon and could possibly be grounding. I know one person who took 1 anti-depressant and was subsequently grounded for a year. That means no flying for a year. He was told he may want to consider changing rates.