What is the difference between a Class I, II, and III physical examination?
Class III examinations are required every 3 years if the applicant is under the age of 40 at the time of examination, otherwise every 2 years. Class II exams are valid only for one year, and Class I for 6 months. For pilots over 35, an ECG is required for Class I, and then annually after the age of 40, and these must be performed at the AME’s office and transmitted to the FAA electronically. Vision standards are also different between private and commercial categories. For example, a Class I and II pilot need to be able to see 20/20 in each eye (corrected if needed) for distant vision, while a private pilot can get by with 20/40 vision. Commercial pilots over the age of 50 are required to demonstrate intermediate vision of at least 20/40, in addition to the near vision requirements, which are the same (20/40) for all classes. Commercial pilots also must demonstrate reasonable depth perception by measuring eye alignment.
