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For Show Notes on this Episode visit the FlightPod Wiki

As Pilots our Medical Certificates are our livelihood. A flight physical is no time for surprises. So why do hundreds of pilots a year lose their medicals and how do they get them back? Before every flight, you go through a list of checks to insure most importantly you’re safe but also that you’re legal. We prepare sometimes for hours just to make a single flight.

Most of this time is spent on satisfying legal requirements. Things like checking aircraft documentation or alternate weather minimums. And if you’re flying international, there’s overflight permits, passports, APIS and general declarations.

We go well out of our way to ensure we don’t get violated. But getting a violation is not the only way to loose your flying privileges. In fact hundreds of pilots a year are grounded because they failed to put the same level of vigilance and preparation into getting their flight physical as they do into flying.

Your medical is probably the most important item taken for granted in your flight bag. You may go years without getting a ramp check, but depending on your class of medical, you’re faced with the same “pass – fail” type of regulatory review on a regular basis.