A third class medical certificate is issued to a 36 year old pilot on August 10, this year. To exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate, the medical certificate will be valid until midnight on which date?

• A. August 31, 5 years later
• B. August 31, 1 year later
• C. August 10, 5 years later
• D. October 31, 5 years later

Answer: (A)

Under FAA rules, a third-class medical for a private pilot under age 40 is valid for 60 calendar months. The expiration is the last day of the month in which that 60th month ends. Here, the certificate is issued on August 10, and the pilot is 36, so it stays valid for 60 months. Five years after the month of issue is August, and the last day of that month is August 31. Therefore, the medical certificate remains valid until midnight on August 31, five years after issuance.