FAA Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH)RegulationsEasy
A 24-year-old private pilot's third-class medical certificate is issued on July 15, 2023. Under 14 CFR 61.23, what is the last date the pilot may exercise private pilot privileges based on this medical certificate?
- AJuly 31, 2025
- BJuly 15, 2025
- CJuly 31, 2028
- DJuly 15, 2028
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. July 31, 2028
For a pilot under age 40 on the date of examination, a third-class medical certificate is valid for 60 calendar months and expires at the end of the month, 60 months after issuance. July 2023 + 60 months = July 2028, so it expires July 31, 2028.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Combines the wrong duration (24 months) with the correct end-of-month rule.
- B. Uses a 24-month duration, which applies only to pilots age 40 or older.
- D. Uses the correct duration but incorrectly keeps the exact issuance day instead of end of month.
Medical Certificate Duration
Third-class medical certificates are valid for 60 calendar months if the pilot is under 40 on the exam date, and 24 calendar months if 40 or older.
- Under 40: 60 calendar months
- 40 or older: 24 calendar months
- Expires last day of the expiration month, not exact issue date
Memory trick: Under 40, five years to go; forty-plus, two years, that's the flow