On Thu, 22 Nov 2007 08:56:07 -0800 (PST), Jay Honeck wrote:

The only difference between 2nd and 3rd class is a slightly
stricter vision requirement (must be 20/20 distant where 3rd
class allows for 20/40 distant). They are both held to the
same standard, other than that particular aspect of the vision
test. The actual physical examination should be the same.

Okay, so I exaggerate a bit. I *did* pee in a cup (which was never
looked at. Either that or they ran a urine analyis in the ten minutes
I was actually in the doc's office), they *did* weigh me and measure
my height (which tells them...what?), and they did take my blood
pressure.

To call this a "throrough" physical is silly. Unless your blood
pressure is sky high, or you can't read the eye chart, you're not
going to fail a flight physical...

Years ago, back when I took medicals, a friend steered me to one local AME. The
guy had had a J-3 get away from him while hand-propping. He came out of the
experience with a busted airplane and a real loathing for the FAA. Suffice it
to say that if you could see the doc when he walked into the examination room,
say "hi" to him when he greeted you, and *hit* the damn cup, you'd pass.

Ron Wanttaja