Want to fly for the Military? Consider investing in a Class 1 Flight Physical early and on your own dime.

Herman_Snerd

Herman_Snerd

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For those interested in flying for the military, please consider this post to be a public service announcement to consider an investment in a Class 1 Flight physical early in your pursuit with a physician who normally does these for a branch of the service. This battery of exam tests can identify a number of issues that could flat-out preclude you from flying for the military or potentially as an Airline Transport Pilot too though the ATP standard is different - IMO better to know this up front than after years of pursuing your dream.

Yesterday a few mids including my DS carpooled to their flight physical appointments together - one of the NROTC-NO 1/c mids who had service selected naval aviator failed his flight physical as he has an astigmatism that falls outside of the acceptable range. 20/20 vision, talented young man, and he’s shattered / will need to rebuild in the months ahead. I received a text update from my son., (DS is) "cleared for flight. can’t talk rn. bad news for _____”. _____ will likely enter the SWO draft this Spring as a waiver is unlikely because his ocular measurements are not close to normal range. they all know the risks this might happen, but the timing of getting your dream slot and then losing it when you could have known years ago? I'd prefer to know up-front.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
For those interested in flying for the military, please consider this post to be a public service announcement to consider an investment in a Class 1 Flight physical early in your pursuit with a physician who normally does these for a branch of the service. This battery of exam tests can identify a number of issues that could flat-out preclude you from flying for the military or potentially as an Airline Transport Pilot too though the ATP standard is different - IMO better to know this up front than after years of pursuing your dream.

Yesterday a few mids including my DS carpooled to their flight physical appointments together - one of the NROTC-NO 1/c mids who had service selected naval aviator failed his flight physical as he has an astigmatism that falls outside of the acceptable range. 20/20 vision, talented young man, and he’s shattered / will need to rebuild in the months ahead. I received a text update from my son., (DS is) "cleared for flight. can’t talk rn. bad news for _____”. _____ will likely enter the SWO draft this Spring as a waiver is unlikely because his ocular measurements are not close to normal range. they all know the risks this might happen, but the timing of getting your dream slot and then losing it when you could have known years ago? I'd prefer to know up-front.
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Really good idea. Would Class 1 also be right for Army, ie helicopter AND fixed wing?
 
Good advise, you can also look up the FAA Class 1 medical requirements to see if anything is going to trip you up.
 
Does the 2/C physical at USNA cover that? DS' eye exam ruled out a couple selection choices for him.
 
My son said they start the physical stuff early for the USNA mids to help with situations like that. I believe it is during the 2/C year and based on your service selection preference.
 
Can you get a class 1 flight physical whenever you want? I'm only a student pilot and have already done my class 3.
 
Mdm26 said:
Would a class I from a typical FAA Dr. suffice ?
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For my money I want to go to a physician who does this for the military day in and out, and knows-certainly what the military criteria are and if the candidate meets them. Otherwise it's like needing an orthodontist but seeing a dentist. The FAA physician could tell you about any issues relating to commercial/ multi/ ATP licenses which is a value and PROBABLY could tell you the military standards (but maybe not), but if you're asking, I'd go to the military physician / team who does Class 1s for the military, not just the FAA.
 
THmom said:
Really good idea. Would Class 1 also be right for Army, ie helicopter AND fixed wing?
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All pilots have to pass a class one flight physical and that is done as an entry criteria to flight school. The pilots to be don't yet know what airframe they will fly (fixed/ rotary, props, jets, UAS drone etc.) Yes this applies to the Army officers and Warrant officers pilots too. Just be advised this you'll still need to pass the class 1 during your commissioning year - taking it early won't serve to replace that - but IMO it helps identify a lot of issues that might block someone from flying
 
i_like_planes said:
Can you get a class 1 flight physical whenever you want? I'm only a student pilot and have already done my class 3.
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Well, whenever you want to pay for one, yes. My son was a private pilot at 16 in HS and completed a Class 1 flight physical with a physician (and his team who did the various tests, EKG, bloodwork, color blindness tests, etc. while still in HS/ before he turned 18 - that doc and his team did these all day long for the military. The class 3 which my son also did first will tell you some data, but not all. This goes further - for a good overview search youtube for Class 1 flight physical vids.
 
justme said:
Does the 2/C physical at USNA cover that? DS' eye exam ruled out a couple selection choices for him.
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Direct answer: I do not know - certainly it could cover much of it and help as you noted, but will it cover color blindness, an EKG, bloodwork, lung exam, field of vision, and measure your eyes to standards as in depth as a class 1? I would call the academy and ask if you are curious for what the delta is between what they do and what a class 1 does - my guess - if you're serious about being a pilot you may want to get a class 1 - maybe as active duty at USNA they might cover or have a reduced fee? Ask - please let us know.
 
Be aware that while the branches basically use the same physical the standards will vary from service to service. Even within the service there may be differences. For example, the Army warrant officer and commissioned officer standards are often different. The standards may also vary from one year to the next.
Also, don’t assume being disqualified on a military physical disqualifies you from being a civilian commercial pilot. As I pointed out above, military Class I physicals are MUCH more thorough than FAA Class I physicals.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
No. The FAA physicals are not nearly as thorough as a military class I.
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Thanks @UHBlackhawk for sharing your guidance and insight - Curious, can you please clarify in a summary informal way how military class 1 flight physicals are more thorough than a FAA (non military) class 1, so we as readers can better understand?

Comparing the checklists it looks like the exceptions are:
1. Chest X-Ray definitely taken for FAA exam - not sure if a requirement for the military.
2. The advanced test for color blindness if anyone fails the basic Farnsworth Lantern Flashlight (FALANT) test or Ishihara test (standards vary per branch) are different (military uses the CCT test from the Air Force - in Army and Air Force, at least)
3. Urinalysis is always taken in the FAA test Class 1 and bloodwork and urinalysis are always taken as a standard in the military.


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Color blindness got a few kids this year according to my son at USAFA. Mostly men, just look up the charts and see if you can see the numbers to see if that will be a issue.
 
My advice to those seeking an FAA Medical of any class is to get a consult with an AME first. Preferably an AME that is also a pilot. Once you start a medical application and declare medications, health conditions, etc… it’s all officially recorded in the FAA system. If your medical is denied or deferred by the AME for any reason, then the process of clearing the medical issue with the FAA Docs in OKC could be a long and difficult process or ultimately you could be denied for life. This won’t help you much if there’s a clear medical DQ’er (other than you could still fly with a civilian sport pilot rating). However, getting a consult first could potentially save you a lot of trouble for a simple medical issue that could be easily cleared up prior to submission of your official medical form.
 
justme said:
Does the 2/C physical at USNA cover that? DS' eye exam ruled out a couple selection choices for him.
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IronmanDaremo said:
My son said they start the physical stuff early for the USNA mids to help with situations like that. I believe it is during the 2/C year and based on your service selection preference.
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Yes, 2/C year. That’s why there are many “pirate” eye patches walking around during that year….from having PRK/LASIK surgery to correct vision to meet flight standards. My 2/C has that to
Look forward to upon return 😬. It’s common. I’m not sure if there is an additional physical for aviation beyond this 2/C year commissioning physical. Both of my Mids sent excited texts when they passed. And it’s is a big “whew” checkmark.

My guys said that they are allowed one elective surgery (USNA), and aviation wannabes generally pick eye surgeries.

Obviously it’s all a different animal for ROTC. I wonder if an aviation wannabe could have it done on their own, similar to OPS message 🤔?? No idea.
 
justdoit19 said:
My guys said that they are allowed one elective surgery (USNA), and aviation wannabes generally pick eye surgeries.
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Same info I've heard from mine. But, I have no idea what other elective surgery they'd even contemplate. Maybe brain implants for nuke wannabes?
 
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