Doesn't matter if it's a US registered airplane. A Mexican pilot certificate is valid in Mexico for any aircraft
Sure about that???
Yes, sure about that.
To act as PIC of an N-reg you need either a FAA certificate (license validation or original issuance) or the license/certificate of the country in which the airplane is operated. Mexico in this case.
With the understanding that the "host" countries regulations allow this.
U.S.‑Registered Civil Aircraft. Section 61.3(a) permits a U.S.‑registered civil aircraft to be operated within a foreign country by a pilot holding a foreign pilot license with the appropriate aircraft rating issued by that foreign country. A person who holds a U.S. pilot certificate with the appropriate aircraft rating may also operate a U.S.‑registered civil aircraft in an ICAO Member State country. However, persons who operate a U.S.‑registered civil aircraft in an ICAO Member State country should be aware that some foreign countries may have additional operational and pilot certification requirements. Each pilot must inquire with that foreign country’s CAA and become familiar with that country’s operational and pilot certification requirements before operating a U.S.‑registered civil aircraft in that country.
What I don't understand is how he could have been issued with a "restricted" Commercial under 61.75 (based on foreign license validation) since a license validation only applies as a Private Pilot License.
Back in the 80-ies if you held a foreign CPL you would be issued a US CPL validation with the restriction that it was not valid for Commercial operations, eg only PPL priviliges.
Same with an ATP.
Then at some point the FAA decided to only issues Private certificate validations since that is what you are limited to anyway.
So now a foreign CPL or ATP holder gets a PPL validation.
IR and type ratings included if applicable.
5-597 U.S. PILOT CERTIFICATES THAT MAY BE ISSUED TO A PERSON WHO HOLDS A FOREIGN PILOT LICENSE. The kinds of U.S. pilot certificates that may be issued to a person who holds a foreign pilot license in accordance with § 61.75 are:
A. Private Pilot Certificate. A U.S. private pilot certificate on the basis of a valid foreign pilot license that is at least equivalent to or higher than the U.S. private pilot certification level.
B. Commercial Pilot Certificate. A commercial pilot certificate if the certificate was issued before August 4, 1997 and was on the basis of a foreign pilot license at least equivalent to or higher than the U.S. commercial pilot certification level. After August 4, 1997, a person who applies for a U.S. pilot certificate on the basis of holding a foreign pilot license may only be issued at private pilot certification level. As of August 4, 1997, all aircraft ratings issued on a U.S. pilot certificate are issued only at the private pilot certification level. The aircraft ratings on the foreign pilot license must be at least equivalent to or higher than the U.S. private pilot certification level to be placed on the U.S. pilot certificate.
Source:
Flight Standards Information System (FSIMS)