Medical & Eligibility

Who Can Learn to Fly — And What You Need to Get Started

One of the biggest misconceptions about learning to fly is that you must be in perfect health or pass a complicated medical exam before you can even begin. That’s not true. At Technique Only Academy, we’ve intentionally built multiple training paths so that most people can start flying immediately.

Whether you choose Sport Pilot or Private Pilot, we’ll help you understand exactly what’s required — with zero pressure and total clarity.

✅ Sport Pilot: No FAA Medical Required

This is one of the biggest reasons Sport Pilot is our most popular training path.

To fly as a Sport Pilot, you only need:

• A valid U.S. driver’s license

• The ability to self-certify medical fitness

• No history of denied or revoked FAA medical

• The ability to safely operate an aircraft

There is:

• ❌ No Aviation Medical Examiner appointment

• ❌ No FAA medical deferral

• ❌ No medical wait times

• ❌ No fear of being grounded over minor conditions

If you can legally and safely drive a car, in most cases you can legally and safely learn to fly as a Sport Pilot.

This pathway is fully authorized under Federal Aviation Administration regulations and expanded through MOSAIC.

✅ Private Pilot: FAA Medical Required

The Private Pilot Certificate does require a medical exam before solo flight and certification.

You will need:

• A Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate

• Exam performed by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)

We assist you with:

• Locating a nearby AME

• Understanding common disqualifiers

• Preparing for your appointment

• Interpreting results and next steps

If you’re unsure about medical eligibility, many students begin with Sport Pilot first, then upgrade later once medical is secured — a low-risk, low-stress approach.

✅ Age Requirements

Minimum age to begin training:

• Any age may take a Discovery Flight

• 14 years old for Sport Pilot solo

• 16 years old for Private Pilot solo

• 17 years old for certification (Sport or Private)

There is no maximum age to become a pilot.

✅ Citizenship, TSA & ID Requirements

To enroll in flight training in the United States, students must provide:

• Valid government photo ID

• U.S. citizenship or TSA flight training approval for non-citizens

We guide all non-citizen students through the TSA approval process if required.

✅ Language & Literacy

All pilots must:

• Read, speak, write, and understand English

• Be able to complete:

  • Written knowledge testing

  • Oral practical testing

  • Radio communication

If English is your second language, we’re happy to discuss accommodations and readiness.

✅ Physical Disabilities & Medical Conditions

Many people assume certain conditions automatically disqualify them. Often, they do not.

Sport Pilot is especially well-suited for students with:

• Controlled diabetes

• Sleep apnea

• High blood pressure

• Past surgeries

• Hearing loss

• Vision correction

• ADHD history

• Military medical history

Every case is unique. We encourage a confidential conversation so we can help you choose the safest, smartest path forward.

✅ Mental & Emotional Readiness

Great pilots are not defined by strength — they’re defined by:

• Judgment

• Discipline

• Situational awareness

• Emotional control

• Decision-making under pressure

We assess readiness through:

• Discovery Flights

• Instructor consultations

• Early stage evaluations

• Safety-first pacing

You don’t need to be fearless to become a pilot. You simply need to be teachable and committed to safety.

✅ Can I Start Training Before I Have My Medical?

Yes — in many cases.

• Sport Pilot students can start immediately

• Private Pilot students can:

  • Complete ground training

  • Fly with an instructor

  • Delay solo until medical is issued

We help you avoid unnecessary delays.

✅ Not Sure Which Path You Qualify For?

That’s exactly what we’re here for.

Most students begin with either:

• A Discovery Flight

• Or a Free Training Consultation

From there, we’ll help you determine:

• Sport vs. Private Pilot eligibility

• Medical considerations

• Realistic timeline

• Training cost planning

• Next steps with absolute clarity

✈️ You’re Probably More Eligible Than You Think

Every year, we meet people who delayed training for decades because they assumed they “wouldn’t qualify.”

Most of them do.

Let’s remove the guesswork and answer your questions directly.

✅ Ready to Take the First Step?

👉 Book a Discovery Flight
👉 Speak With an Instructor
👉 Start Training Today

Your journey to the cockpit starts with one honest conversation.

If you’d like, I can also:

• Add a Medical FAQ section

• Build a Sport vs Private medical comparison box

• Or create a downloadable eligibility checklist PDF for your tours and front desk.