As a public service announcement to those who haven’t gotten the memo:
The FAA announced this week that effective July 24th, 2008 14CFR 61.23(d) is being changed.
The 1st class medical certificate is now valid for 12 months for those pilots under age 40. The previous duration was 6 months regardless of age.
The 2nd class medical certificate hasn’t changed. It is still valid for 12 months, as it always has been.
However, the most significant change is to the duration of the third class medical if under 40 years of age. It is now valid for 5 years if you are under 40 years old!! However, if over 40, nothing has changed. You’ve still got 2 years between butt probes.