FAA Ground School Practice Test

When does a First-Class Medical Certificate issued to a 23-year-old pilot on October 21 expire?

1. Midnight on October 31, 1 year later

2. Midnight on October 31, 3 years later

3. Midnight on October 31, 5 years later

4. Midnight on October 31, 2 years later

The correct answer is: Midnight on October 31, 5 years later

A First-Class Medical Certificate issued to a 23-year-old pilot is valid for five years. The expiration date is calculated based on the date of the examination. In this case, since the certificate is issued on October 21, it will remain valid until the end of the month five years later, specifically at midnight on October 31. For medical certificates, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) establishes specific durations of validity based on the age of the individual at the time of the examination. Those under 40 years old are granted a five-year duration, while those 40 and older would see a shorter validity period. In this scenario, since the pilot is 23, the certificate remains effective for the full five years, confirming that the expiry date is indeed midnight on October 31, five years later.