Guidance for Upwind Applicants
Regarding the FAA Medical Certificate
Upwind applicants must undergo a medical examination and obtain a 3rd Class Medical Certificate as part of the application process. This is because the FAA requires pilots to have this certificate prior to operating the aircraft in solo flight, which is a key event in pilot training.
The FAA has information regarding the medical certificate process at: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/.
The aviation medical exam confirms that there are no health-related issues that could impair pilot performance. Physical limitations could include vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, or reliance on medications that prevent full cognitive function. Not being able to pass the aviation medical exam and receive a 3rd Class Medical Certificate would disqualify a student from receiving the scholarship.
The examination must be done by a physician certificated as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Most doctors have not obtained this certification, so your regular doctor will likely not be able to perform this exam. The FAA has lists of AMEs who can perform medical examinations on their website. Please be advised that the medical exam may take 3 weeks or more to schedule, so applicants should start the process as soon as possible.
Applicants with special medical challenges are encouraged to seek out additional information regarding their condition and discuss the matter with an AME prior to taking the formal examination. AMEs typically are available for consultation appointments. Consultations should be completed and all concerns addressed before the scheduling and taking the 3rd Class Medical Exam.
Applicants must complete an online medical application with MedXpress, the FAA’s online medical system (https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/), before the exam. The application requires full disclosure of all medical issues related to the applicant, and should include a full listing of prescribed medications. If you have questions or concerns about medication use, you are advised to consult with an AME before filling out the application and beginning the formal exam.
Once obtained, the student’s FAA Medical Certificate should be scanned and submitted with their scholarship application.