By KT BUDDE-JONES
Much of our everyday lives have been disrupted due to COVID-19. Schedules are different and time has little meaning. It is hard to know what day it is or even what month. Then one day you wake up and realize your FAA medical is either due, coming due, or past due. What do you do?
Recognizing the unusual circumstances created by the coronavirus, in March the FAA took the unprecedented action of suspending the enforcement of medicals through June 30, 2020. That means if your medical expired between March 31 and June 30, the FAA will not take legal enforcement action against you.
But what happens June 30? And what about pilots with special issuances?
Special Issuances
The new FAA policy includes pilots who hold Authorization for Special Issuance (ASI) Letters for disqualifying conditions that have been “waivered.”
However, unless specifically addressed in a current ASI, it does not extend to requirements regarding prohibition of flight operations for medical deficiencies or new conditions of significance that do not meet FAA standards of a disqualifying medication (FAA 14 CFR 61.53).
Also, it does not cover aviators in the HIMS program (an occupational substance abuse treatment program). These pilots should maintain currency with protocol and contact their AMEs, according to Dr. William Busch, a senior aviation medical examiner who is the force behind AvDoc 51, the medical division of Stallion 51 at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Florida.
Also, if you were unlucky enough to come down with COVID-19, you will need to let your AME know that when you eventually see the doctor, according to Busch.
What happens to pilots June 30?
Around June 30 there is going to be a gaggle of pilots looking to renew their medical certificates. That means now is the time to make an appointment with your AME. And take this time to discuss any questions and concerns via phone with your AME, Busch recommends.
He also advises using this time to gather up any required medical information of significance since your last medical.
If you have not been flying, get your head back in the game and study your manuals, checklists, and procedures, he added.
Busch is available to help with FAA medical exams and questions during this shutdown period. He can also help you with your Special Issuance or HIMS program requirements via phone consultation at 407-846-0854.
The actual letter from the FAA states this applies to “required pilot flight crewmember or flight engineer”. My thinking is that the FAA could argue that many of us GA pilots don’t meet the “required pilot” status, which could lead to actions taken against those of us flying with expired medicals.
My BFR expires in June. My plane is being recovered, and may not be airworthy by then. The flight schools are all closed, so no rental planes are available. Will my BFR date be extended? Just wonderin’……..
Suggest you call your local FSDO to discuss. Or if you are an AOPA member, they can advise you. Good luck.