How long is a third class medical certificate valid for a pilot over 40 years old?

A third-class medical certificate for a pilot who is over 40 years old is valid for 24 months. This duration is established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that differentiate the validity periods of medical certificates based on age. For pilots under the age of 40, a third-class medical certificate is valid for 60 months; however, for those over 40, the requirement changes to 24 months. This is an important regulation for pilots to be aware of, as it ensures that older pilots undergo more frequent medical evaluations, promoting safety in aviation. Understanding these rules helps pilots maintain compliance and ensure they can fly legally.