FAA extends medicals for pilots under 40

The FAA issued a final rule that specifies the extended duration of first- and third-class medicals for pilots under age 40. Effective July 24, the agency extended the duration of third-class medicals from 36 calendar months to 60 calendar months and first-class medicals from six calendar months to 12 calendar months for pilots under age 40. According to AOPA, current and expired medical certificates are grandfathered under this rule. For pilots over age 40, the first- and third-class medicals are still valid for only six and 24 calendar months, respectively.