Can't get FAA medical, Mexico any easier

[Pilotchet]

Can't apply for an FAA medical right now because of some silly FAA Cancer rules in which they don't respect the opinion of one of the leading medical facilites in the nation (Mayo). So I have thought about becoming an Expat and going to Mexico to test the waters down there. I am in perfect health now and wonder if a physician in Mexico would look more favorably on my record and how easy it will be to change my FAA commerical, CFII, MEI certificate to a Mexican or ICAO license and get a job down there flying charters?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Bealzebub]

Different countries and groups of countries have their own requirements which will usually conform to the minimum requirements laid down by the ICAO. It is however a misconception that there is any such thing as an ICAO licence, as the following except from their website clearly states :

"ICAO does not issue any licences. Licences issued by ICAO Contracting States on the basis of Standards and Recommended Practices of Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, are habitually called ICAO licences. This has led many to believe that there is a specific ICAO or international licence. The fact is that there is not one single international licence issued by ICAO or any other organization. States issue their own licences based on national regulations in conformity with Annex 1 specifications and validate licences issued by other Contracting States on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements or the fulfilment of nationally legislated requirements.

For more information, please refer to Annex 1, Chapter 1, paragraph 1.2.


Hope it helps.

[Baron Von Mildred]

Medical standards vary considerably. I flew in one country where none was required, just the license! Shop around, but be prepared for a pay cut.