EU Ramp Check of Pvt. A/C

[AA717driver]

Once again, this issue is rearing its ugly head in our department. We fly FAA Pt. 91 (private, not for hire aircraft). The civil aviation authority in France and Italy are doing their checks on visiting aircraft for compliance and airworthiness which I realize is necessary.

However, they are unnecessarily delaying departures if the flight crew does not possess a current FAA Class I medical. In the U.S. you may exercise the priviliges of the ATP for commercial (for pay) operations with a class I or II medical. The Class I is valid for a 6 month period. It then becomes a Class II for another 6 months. It is in that second period that the authorities have a problem.

Is this just harassment or misunderstanding? How do they handle medicals in the EU? Sorry for the details and extensive explanation. I'm just trying to make our situation clear to all.

Thanks in advance.TC

[Chilli Monster]

I can see where the misunderstanding comes in

14 CFR 61.23

(1) Must hold a first-class medical certificate when exercising the privileges of an airline transport pilot certificate;

(2) Must hold at least a second-class medical certificate when exercising the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate; or

If anywhere on your paperwork (i.e insurance requirements) it says you need an ATP to fly your aircraft then you're in a hole. If that's the case you're exercising ATP privileges, not Commercial, and as such you need that Class 1 renewed every 6 months.

If you don't need the ATP, and if you had another licence that said "Commercial" you could show them no doubt that would resolve the matter, as that has a 12 month validity - it's the only way I can think of to smooth the way.

[FLEXJET]

The JAA issues 2 medical classes:
Class 1 is for commercial, Class 2 for recreational.

I think Chilli answered well.
Are the troubles just for the SIC or for both PIC & SIC?

[mutt]

AA717Driver,

Are they asking for a TYPE RATING for the SIC?

Mutt.

[machone]

It could be more to do with the fact that in some parts of europe the do not class flying on larger aircraft as private or corporate. If you do not own the aircraft they class it as "public Transport" ops with all the usual rules. But hey its europe it is different rules for everyone.

[AA717driver]

Thanks, all!

We are all type rated and have FAA First Class medicals. It has been our practice to let the FC lapse to Second Class status. That is where the problem occurs.

Our aircraft are owned by us (however they are registered to a holding company that is a subsidiary of the owner's primary.... Well, you know how it is.) Bottom line is that these are privately owned aircraft and are not operated commercially in any manner.

I believe this is a failure to communicate between both parties when being ramp checked. When we show up for a flight, we have little time to devote to the FAA/Civil Aviation Authority or whoever. That is where the pressure comes from. Our owner doesn't care who delayed us or why--he only cares that he is delayed and we're the crew.

As for now, we are continuing our current practice and dealing with the consequences as they happen. Again, thanks for your input.TC

[scambuster]

with due respect, you better start making time to speak to the regulatory authorities as they apart from being a pain sometimes they also look after safety and the legalities. Ours as well as yours.
You share the same airspace as the rest of us and I for one am pleased someone is making sure the others are as safe as they can be.
As for your boss, I wouldn't work for a t##t like that.

[Check 6]

Per ICAO, FAA Class I and Class II medicals qualify as "Class I." If you are an NBAA member, you can find a lengthy discussion on this issue in the manager's forum. I have pasted an e-mail from the ICAO Chief of Aviation Medicine Section that explains this.

It is possible that this is also spelled out in an ICAO Annex, but I have not researched it.

From: "Curdt-Christiansen, Claus" <[email protected]>
To: NBAA member
CC: "Barnes, Arlene" <[email protected]>
Subject: Medical requirements
Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 11:59:32 -0400

Dear Mr. Lied,

Your query about US second class medical certificates has been
forwarded to me for reply.

ICAO designates three classes of medical assessments: class 1 for ATPL and CPL-holders, class 2 for PPL-holders, and class 3 for ATC licence holders. This classification is used world-wide.

For reasons unknown to me, the FAA has chosen to number the US medical classes differently, thus causing considerable confusion.

The US first class and second class medical certificates correspond
to ICAO Class 1 Medical Assessment.

In some countries, perhaps including the Caribbean States, it may
be easier for you to carry a US first class medical certificate than to explain (in a foreign language) that a US second class equals a Class 1 from the rest of the world. But it is correct that a US first class and second class medical certificate is the same as an ICAO Class 1 Medical Assessment.

I trust this answers your question.

Best regards

Dr. Claus Curdt-Christiansen, MD, DAvMed
Chief of Aviation Medicine Section
ICAO - Montreal

You are invited to visit our website at www.icao.int



Check 6