PILOT CET 2025

Not exactly they are similar in purpose and standards but there are important differences in process authority and some regulatory details.

1. Same overall goal different regulators

Both the FAA 1st Class medical (USA) and the DGCA Class 1 medical certificate (India) are intended as the highest level of medical fitness certification for professional pilots. They both align broadly with international ICAO standards ensuring that a pilot is physically and mentally fit for demanding commercial and airline flying duties.

2. Standards are broadly similar but not identical

Both authorities assess vision hearing cardiovascular health pulmonary function ENT blood and urine tests and overall physical and mental health.

However there may be differences in specific thresholds (e.g. vision ECG timing age triggers detailed psychological screening protocols or corrective eyewear rules) and in how strictly certain borderline conditions are treated. The FAA uses its Part 67 standards and MedXPress system, and may have different age based ECG/echo timings or renewal criteria than DGCA.

3. Process and administration differ

For DGCA (India) you must book via the DGCA eGCA portal visit a DGCA approved Medical Examiner and carry specific documentation (e.g. Class 2 medical certificate forms CA 34/35 photo ID spectacle prescription prior medical records).
For the FAA the candidate first completes the MedXPress online application obtains a confirmation number, and schedules the exam with an FAA designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

Renewals, issuance, and record-keeping are handled according to each regulator’s digital or administrative workflow.

4. Validity periods are very similar but watch the age rules

In both systems for pilots under 40 years old validity is usually 12 months over 40 it typically drops to 6 months.

5. Can one exam substitute for the other?

Not automatically. Having a DGCA Class 1 certificate doesn’t mean you meet FAA medical requirements and vice versa. If you plan to fly under one jurisdiction's licensing or regulatory framework you must meet that specific authority’s medical certification rules and use their approved medical examiners or processes.

1. Same overall goal different regulators

2. Standards are broadly similar but not identical

3. Process and administration differ

4. Validity periods are very similar but watch the age rules

5. Can one exam substitute for the other?

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SPL (4)

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Is the 1st class FAA medical exam the same as DGCA class 1?

1. Same overall goal different regulators

2. Standards are broadly similar but not identical

3. Process and administration differ

4. Validity periods are very similar but watch the age rules

5. Can one exam substitute for the other?

Commercial Pilot License (4)

Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (2)

Private Helicopter Pilot License (3)

pilot (344)

PPL (1)

SPL (4)