Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

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Study for the Certified Flight Instructor Test. Explore multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and get fully prepared for your CFI exam! Achieve success with your flight instructor exam by understanding key concepts and honing your technical skills.

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What happens if a third class medical certificate holder is over the age of 40?

Expires in 12 months
Expires in 24 months
Expires in 36 months
Remains valid indefinitely

The correct answer is: Expires in 24 months

A third class medical certificate holder who is over the age of 40 experiences a reduction in the validity period of their certificate due to their age. Specifically, the regulations state that for individuals in this age group, the medical certificate remains valid for 24 months from the date of examination. This consideration is part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, which recognize that certain health risks may increase with age, thus requiring more frequent health assessments for pilots in this category. In contrast, those under the age of 40 enjoy a longer validity period of 60 months for third class medical certificates, reflecting a generally lower risk of health issues impacting aviation safety. Options suggesting indefinite validity or longer durations do not align with regulatory standards and fail to account for the FAA's emphasis on safety through regular medical assessments for older pilots.