Concerns for the Student Pilot

Prior to making your first solo flight you will need to obtain a student pilot certificate and a medical certificate. Many students wait until the day prior to their first solo to undergo their medical examination for the required certificates. Imagine the frustration, after hours preparation, only to be told that because of an underlying medical condition, a prohibited or disqualifying prescribed medication, or a previous DUI, that your medical certificate must be delayed as it will need to be reviewed by the Aeromedical Certification Division of the FAA. This process can sometimes take 4 to 6 weeks. In some cases, depending on the issue, I can obtain verbal authorization to issue the certificate after discussing the medical issues with an FAA Flight Surgeon. Therefore, I encourage all student pilots to obtain their medical certificate well in advance of their planned first solo flight. If you are a student pilot and coming to our office for a  medical certificate and have any medical issues, are on a prescription medication, or have a previous DUI, please call our office to discuss these conditions well in advance of your appointment. That way I can best assist you.