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Thread: FAA Medicals Impacted by COVID

  1. #1
    Airmutt's Avatar
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    FAA Medicals Impacted by COVID

    Has anyone experienced a problem getting their medical renewed due to our current situation? More importantly, does anyone know if the FAA has any plans to grant temporary extensions until we get thru this crisis?
    Dave Shaw
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    FlyingRon's Avatar
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    The FAA hasn't indicated any intent to relieve any time limits to my knowledge. It is scary. Most of the providers around here have pushed back on routine visits. I'm due for a few non time-critical procedures (colonoscopy, etc...). My medical is up in June. Hopefully things will be loosened up then. My old AME is up in Virginia. I was planning to go basic med (our local doc has already done at least two, including my wife).

  3. #3
    Airmutt's Avatar
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    The FAA just released a partial answer....

    The Notice states that from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020, the FAA will not take legal enforcement action against any person serving as a required pilot flight crewmember or flight engineer who holds a medical certificate that expires within this time period.

    Unfortunately this does not address the GA community.
    Dave Shaw
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  4. #4
    lnuss's Avatar
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    Actually, it does. Note that "as a required pilot flight crewmember" means the PIC, among others.

    Larry N.

  5. #5
    FlyingRon's Avatar
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    I've attached the FAA letter. This is somewhat good news. It gives us until June 30. I'm a little pessimistic whether that will be sufficient.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  6. #6
    Airmutt's Avatar
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    Just got off the phone with AOPA and they concur. The phrase flight crewmember was my concern. The term implies required crew to include pilots, FEs, navigators, cargo specialist if hazardous material carried, and flight attendants if more than 9 pax. In my tortured little mind that didn’t apply to GA types. My bad.
    Dave Shaw
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  7. #7
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
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    My AME retired the end of 2018 (and he was the only one I knew of in town). Most of the private practices in town have been bought out & are now owned by one or the other of the 2 major hospitals in town. The office my current doctor is in has moved all non critical appointments back to late April. My mother sees a doctor affiliated with the other hospital & they have done the same.

  8. #8
    dclaxon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Switzer View Post
    My AME retired the end of 2018 (and he was the only one I knew of in town). Most of the private practices in town have been bought out & are now owned by one or the other of the 2 major hospitals in town. The office my current doctor is in has moved all non critical appointments back to late April. My mother sees a doctor affiliated with the other hospital & they have done the same.
    Mike, where in Central Illinois are you located? Unless he's stopped very recently there was an AME in Monticello, about half way between Decatur and Champaign.

    Dave

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by Airmutt View Post
    Just got off the phone with AOPA and they concur. The phrase flight crewmember was my concern. The term implies required crew to include pilots, FEs, navigators, cargo specialist if hazardous material carried, and flight attendants if more than 9 pax. In my tortured little mind that didn’t apply to GA types. My bad.
    The next question is will insurance pay claims if PIC does not hold a valid medical and has a mishap? If said policy requires a valid medical that would technically breech the insurance contract.

  10. #10
    Mike Switzer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dclaxon View Post
    Mike, where in Central Illinois are you located? Unless he's stopped very recently there was an AME in Monticello, about half way between Decatur and Champaign.

    Dave
    Dave I am in Decatur. As far as I know the guy in Monticello is still there. Right now I am not worrying about a medical as I don't have access to a plane, I will probably end up self certifying when the time comes. I might need to get a new doctor though, he wanted me to take a new BP med & I asked him if it was FAA approved & he didn't know what the FAA was. Then he acted like he thought flying a small plane was risky behavior.

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