News
A First Class Medical May Be Required to Exercise Commercial Airman Privileges In Some Jurisdictions
by Scott Burgess, released on Tuesday, November 6, 2007
ICAO Annex 1 provides that holders of commercial pilot licenses and airline transport licenses are required to hold a Class 1 Medical (even though the FAA allows commercial pilots to hold a Second Class Medical). ICAOs First Class Medical requirement applies to Part 91 operations as well as Part 135 operations.
As a result, when conducting international flights, we recommend that pilots (including those serving as Second-In-Command) carry a current FAA First Class Medical certificate. It is also important to note that FAA First Class Medical certificates expire at the end of the last day of the sixth month following the examination date shown on the certificate. Inspectors not familiar with these U.S. procedures may well conclude that the First Class Medical is invalid if the date of the medical examination was more than six months prior to the date when the ramp inspection is made. This means, that any time after 6 months (to the day), an FAA First Class Medical Certificate may be interpreted as no longer meeting ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
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