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Medical limitations and restrictions explained

I was asked recently to explain to our members about what kinds of restrictions one can see on a medical certificate. First let me explain the difference between a limitation and a restriction.

A limitation on a medical certificate generally means that an airman has a medical condition that prevents the pilot from meeting the minimum medical standard, and the only way he or she can gain medical certification for the class of medical requested is to have that “limitation” placed on the medical. For example a person who does not meet standards in the class requested for their vision without having to wear eyeglasses would have a limitation: MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES. Or an airman who can’t hear a conversational voice at six feet and must wear hearing aids in order to pass the FAA hearing examination would have a limitation placed on his or her certificate: MUST WEAR HEARING AMPLIFICATION.

A restriction limits the operational privileges of the airman certificate and/or the duration of the medical certificate. The FAA, however, may not place such a “restriction” on a first class medical certificate as a result of a legal case that the FAA lost some years ago (Delta Airlines vs. FAA).

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Dr. Warren Silberman is the former manager of FAA Aerospace Medical Certification and a doctor of osteopathic medicine. A pilot since 1986, he is recognized nationally as an expert in aerospace/preventative medicine, and is a regular writer for AOPA’s Pilot Protection Services.