4.  Take your physical examination early in the month that it is due

Often, pilots wait until the last several days before their medical certificate lapses to schedule another physical examination. Online scheduling is best--if your AME offers it. Sometimes, an examination cannot be scheduled prior to the lapse of the pilot's previous medical certificate. If a medical condition arises that requires additional information, obtaining that information may take several days. Often, the aviation medical examiner will hold the certificate for several days pending receipt of additional information in hopes of issuing a medical certificate to the pilot. If the physical is scheduled early in the month, the pilot has sufficient time to gather that information and take it to their AME for subsequent issuance of a new medical certificate prior to expiration of their previous medical certificate.