taxi aircraft with no medical

[mountain man]

I have been asked to taxi an aircraft while my medical is suspended (commercial).
Can this be done?
I know the engineers have no medical.
Surely, when he medical is pulled you loose the privileges of the licence.

[MAN FLEX 99]

To the best of my knowledge engineers get a course and approval from the operator and authorities before they are allowed to taxi aircraft. Think you would probably need the approval of the authorities in the absence of a valid Licence.

[Scottish.CPL]

No medical, no right to fly regardless of operation.

[ShyTorque]

Interesting question and I think it's a grey area. If I was asked I would want to check directly with the CAA about their official position.

As you have said, suitably trained engineers don't need a pilot's licence because when taxying for maintenance purposes there is no intention to fly.

The CAA might say you would need to complete training, same as the engineers (yes, I know, no real logic, only a backside covering, rubber stamping exercise. The course would probably held by a pilot who has lost his medical cat)!

This wouldn't apply to helicopters (even wheeled undercarriage ones) because they are considered to be flying as soon as they first move under their own power.

[cavortingcheetah]

Do you need a Student Pilot Licence to taxi solo?
Do you need a medical for a Student Pilot Licence?

[763 jock]

The biggest issue would probably be insurance in the event of an accident. You can bet the farm that they would run a mile if they found out that your medical had been suspended.

[Pilot DAR]

If flight is not intended, a "pilot" is not required. The Canadian rule says:

No person shall start an engine of an aircraft unless a pilot's seat is occupied by a person who is competent to control the aircraft;

So if you're competent and insured, you meet the requirement. If you taxi with a running engine, you're still not flying.

[DX Wombat]

CC, - there is no Student Licence in the UK.

[squarecrow]

To be sure get some form of written permission/statement to cover your Back in case of any incident or spot check. Insurance Companies love this if you have no Black and White.

[mad_jock]

The normal way for engineers is that the PArt 145 QA has a syllabus which may or may not have a sim session involved for both engine start and taxing.

Then the engineer gets the training from someone that is also named in the QA system it can be a pilot doing it or another engineer.

The training is done and signed off then the person is added to the list as approved for engine starts and then approved for taxing.

Personally I would get myself on that list and then not have my license any where near the aircraft when taxing it.

If you go and have a word with the quality manager they should know. If they try and fluff you and not put you on any list tell them to :mad:

[cavortingcheetah]

DX W.
Thanks for that information. My old copy of LASORS was lent to a surgeon pilot long ago.
I still have a South African ATPL because the authorities there wouldn't downgrade it to a PPL/IR, which is all I now want. They told me I could either keep renewing the ATP or apply for a Student Licence, write the PPL exams, take that flight test and then write the IR exams again for the IR rating.
There's something disturbing about the logic there.

[mad_jock]

Thats very disturbing, shows the level of intelligence of the authority and also thier understanding of the regulations they enforce and the pratical application of safety.

[jxk]

Just to throw another question into the debate: Can you legally taxi an aircraft if conditions are below VMC?

[slowto280]

As previously said, most likely an 'insurance issue'.

I'm just sad for you that you lost your medical! I hope you are able to solve the issue and get back flying.

Good luck!! :ok:

[mad_jock]

At least you will have a license to use the radios and know what to say.

[Doodlebug]

Here's another angle: there was once a requirement to taxi a machine from one parking-position to another due to heavy influx of traffic on the day. My colleague was due to crew-change if I remember correctly, and the question was posed whether I, rated and current PIC on the thing, was legal to taxi it by myself, without a pair of eyes in the right seat to keep an eye on that other wing while manouvering around on a slippery and busy apron, it being certified as a two-crew ship, etc.? Legal if marshals outside? Interesting one, I thought.

[turbroprop]

Yes Mad Jock.

As an engineer you can get an approval to taxi company aircraft, but do not have to hold a radio licence. In some cases I have been given approval without even being asked if I am familiar with the use of the radio or the layout of the airport.

Coming back to the original question, I think it would depend on why the medical was suspended. Plus I would make damm sure if I was authorised that I was insured.

[Doodlebug]

Meneer Cheetah, now if only that disturbed logic would have remained restricted solely to the Departmunt of Civil Aviation, but alas, it appears to be ever so slightly contagious. Wonder if we can ever all go home again? Kunzima, eish..

Mm, some drift there, sorry all..

[mad_jock]

That doesn't suprise me turboprop.

And they are the ruffest brutal bunch on the controls as well in my experence. If a pilot handled the plane in the manner that they tend to, it would be a one way conversation with the Chief pilot.

I am sure that there are some out there with a finer touch but I haven't met one yet who doesn't hold a pilots license.

And funny enough its the same when I fly a plane as well. Your just meant to work out the odd ball bastardisation of the radio fit as you go along and at least pilots can read a taxi plate though :D

[Wageslave]

Some questions answer themselves.

The CAA stated quite clearly that they have no interest in or remit over aircraft that do not fly in the Bruntingthoprpe Victor incident (despite the fact that it did)

How could Just Jane or any of the other myriad ex-mil types for which no one has type ratings taxi (and are often not be airworthy) if a licence was required?

Engineers, as already discussed, have no flying licence. You can bet that a GA engineering company doesn't send its engineers for sim checks to taxi C150s around a club airfield. The law is the same.

Is there a legal requirement for an aircraft to be insured if it is only taxiing? Probably not a CAA one, but again airfield requirements might require it. Doubtless this comes down to insurance.

[A and C]

I was asked to taxi an aircraft for compass swinging by an engineering company, dispite the fact that I was rated on the aircraft ( on my ATPL ) it was decided to issue me with am an engineering approval ( based on my part 66 licence) to taxi the aircraft.

The thinking being this was the company's insurance was based on its engineering functions and issuing me with an engineering approval would keep the insurance issues well and truly within the engineering sphere of the company's insurance policy.