Eligibility

This regulation establishes the basic eligibility requirement for obtaining and maintaining a first-class medical certificate, which is the highest level of medical certification required for airline transport pilots and other commercial operations.

The key point is that eligibility is ongoing—you must meet the requirements both to initially obtain the certificate and to continue holding it. This means that even after you receive your first-class medical, you're expected to maintain the medical standards outlined in the rest of Subpart B. If your health changes in a way that no longer meets these standards, you could lose eligibility even before your certificate's expiration date.

In practice, this regulation serves as the foundation for all first-class medical requirements. The specific medical standards—covering vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and other conditions—are detailed in the subsequent regulations of Subpart B (§67.103 through §67.113).

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*