I'm going to flight school soon. Is a drug test required for my private pilot's license? (3rd class medical)

For third class you will pee in a bottle , but they are only looking for

signs of Diabetes.

You will only be drug tested if you get your commercial and fly for a part 135

operation or Airline Transport

As posted above, you will have to answer questions on the Medical application, It is a FELONY to lie, by signing it you are signing a afidavit. if some one dropps a dime on you and the FAA does choose to drug test you (they can at any time IF they want) see 17 CFR part 91 you will be in HOT water.

§ 91.17 Alcohol or drugs.

<snip>

(c) A crewmember shall do the following:

(1) On request of a law enforcement officer, submit to a test to indicate the alcohol concentration in the blood or breath, when—

(i) The law enforcement officer is authorized under State or local law to conduct the test or to have the test conducted; and

(ii) The law enforcement officer is requesting submission to the test to investigate a suspected violation of State or local law governing the same or substantially similar conduct prohibited by paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(4) of this section.

(2) Whenever the FAA has a reasonable basis to believe that a person may have violated paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(4) of this section, on request of the FAA, that person must furnish to the FAA the results, or authorize any clinic, hospital, or doctor, or other person to release to the FAA, the results of each test taken within 4 hours after acting or attempting to act as a crewmember that indicates an alcohol concentration in the blood or breath specimen.

(d) Whenever the Administrator has a reasonable basis to believe that a person may have violated paragraph (a)(3) of this section, that person shall, upon request by the Administrator, furnish the Administrator, or authorize any clinic, hospital, doctor, or other person to release to the Administrator, the results of each test taken within 4 hours after acting or attempting to act as a crewmember that indicates the presence of any drugs in the body.

(e) Any test information obtained by the Administrator under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section may be evaluated in determining a person's qualifications for any airman certificate or possible violations of this chapter and may be used as evidence in any legal proceeding under section 602, 609, or 901 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958.

you face a Federal Indictment. Choose wisely!!

You even asking, gives me pause, if you are a drug user/abuser Aviation

is NOT for you.

kbilyak04 got it right. All the answers above his are people WISHING it were true, with absolutely no knowledge of what happens when you go in for your flight physical:

You fill out a long form that lists all kinds of medical conditions you may have or have had, checking 'yes' or 'no'. Then you give a urine sample, look in a box with big and small letters in it, get weighed, blood pressure and pulse checked and finally see the doctor for about 5 minutes of thumping and listening. Then more paperwork, pay the $50 and they hand you the piece of paper.

With minor variations, this is the process for all classes of medical certificate.

Yes, See FARs 2006 or 2007. You have to answer an FAA medical questionaire also about any prescription drugs being taken.

Get yourself clean and stay that way. You cannot pull a plane over. You mess up, your probably going to ride a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of aluminum into a smoking hole.

Otherwise, good luck, flying is FUN.

Nick, You are not drug tested for a medical or by any normal flight school, but I would second Angela's comment that you should reconsider priorities before flying and mixing drugs, even in the long term separation. I know you probably feel you are not under the influence, and probably are "somewhat safe" but think of it like this: If you fly and get in an accident, even weeks after becoming "influenced," Your life will be ruined, or potentially your families financial life will be ruined. You could be drug tested like you said if someone suspects usage, or if you get in an accident, but hopefully both of these are unlikely. Please for the sake of safety for yourself and others (myself included!) choose to only get "high" one way or the other. In short, yes you can still pass a medical, but you should "self certify" and pick your priorities before starting flight training.

You better think twice about using drugs and even thinking about flying. Let's forget about the medical and think one step ahead here. If you get into any sort of accident, and your drug tests come back positive, the insurance will not pay out. That means you will be left with full responsibility for the damages which can easily exceed six figures... if you manage not to kill yourself.

I didn't have a drug test for my pilot's liscense.

As a matter of fact I clambake the cockpit on almost every flight. I'm the pilot of a commercial plane too.

Just drink lots of water from now until the test and you should be fine incase they do drug test you.

1

No. They don't even drug test for a first class medical.

I smoked some weed at a party three weeks before my test . I'm waiting for my results haven't heard nothing been four months and $5000.00 later on lesson.It's no a good feeling.

You better bet a drug test is required because we don't want a dope head up there flying around and crashing into peoples houses and killing Innocent people