2. GET A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

This poke-'n'-prodding physical must be conducted by an FAA-designated Airman Medical Examiner (AME). You can find one of the 5,000+ AMEs in the US by checking out this search site. If you're lonely and want to actually talk to someone, try calling the Aeromedical Certification Division of the FAA in Oklahoma City at (405) 954-4821.

If you are in good health, you should have no problem getting your medical certificate. At the exam, you will first be asked to fill out an FAA application and medical history form. The doctor will then check your vision, hearing, balance, and nose and throat. Finally, the doctor will determine that you do not have any mental or neurological problems such as alcoholism, epilepsy, psychosis, or a serious medical condition like chronic heart disease or diabetes mellitus.

The cost of the exam is not regulated by the FAA, but you can typically expect to be charged between $60 and $75. The third class airman medical certificate, required for a private pilot certificate, is valid for three years for applicants younger than 40, and two years for those 40 and older.

Don't panic yet if you happen to have a medical condition (even a serious one); it is still possible for you to get a license. However you then would need to an AME to discuss your options (for instance, you may have to always fly with another licensed pilot present).

While you don't need to have your medical certificate in order to start flight training, we recommend you obtain it early in the process because you will need it once you start to fly solo - a milestone that comes more quickly than you might think (sometimes after only 10-20 hours of flight training!). Your medical certificate is also your student pilot certificate, a "learner's permit" that is valid for two years while you work toward a permanent pilot's license. Take care this piece of paper - anyone acting as pilot-in-command (PIC) of an airplane must carry a current and appropriate medical certificate and on each flight.

For a more detailed discussion of what's involved in obtaining your medical certificate, check out this forum at Airliners.net.