MG

Airspace and Medical Certification Review

Class A Airspace

  • According to the transcript, Class A airspace spans from 18,000 feet MSL to 60,000 feet MSL
    • Expressed numerically: 18{,}000\text{ ft MSL} \rightarrow 60{,}000\text{ ft MSL}
  • Described in the video as “uncontrolled” airspace
    • (Note: This is the lecturer’s statement; in standard FAA doctrine, Class A is controlled, but here we record the transcript verbatim.)
  • Private pilots are not permitted to enter this airspace (as stated by the speaker)

Private Pilot Access Limitations

  • Key restriction emphasized:
    • Private pilots cannot enter Class A airspace
  • No additional caveats or exceptions were supplied in the transcript

Medical Certification for Private Pilots Under 40

  • Frequency of medical examinations: every five years (60 calendar months)
  • Hierarchy of medical validity years:
    • Year 1: Medical counts as First-Class
    • Year 2: Reverts to Second-Class
    • Years 3–5: Valid as Third-Class
  • Summarized timeline:
    \begin{array}{|c|c|}
    \hline
    \text{Calendar Year After Exam} & \text{Medical Class Validity} \ \hline
    0–12\text{ months} & 1^{st}\text{ Class} \ \hline
    13–24\text{ months} & 2^{nd}\text{ Class} \ \hline
    25–60\text{ months} & 3^{rd}\text{ Class} \ \hline
    \end{array}

Supporting Details & Practical Takeaways

  • Periodicity: A single exam effectively covers five years of flying privileges for a private pilot under 40, but the medical class progressively downgrades.
  • Operational implication: Pilots must track the date of issue to know which class of medical they currently possess and which privileges apply.
  • Connection to airspace rule: Since the transcript claims private pilots cannot enter Class A airspace, holding any valid medical class would still not grant access without additional authorization (e.g., absence of an IFR clearance, per typical regulations).