First Class Medical required by FO's to fly to ICAO destinations

[luckytohaveajob]

ICAO countries now require US First Officers to have a 1st class medical to operate a trip.

All you age 65 pushers have repeatedly said the medical standards are going to stay the same if an age change occurs are smoking crack!

ICAO standards are going to bend you over every chance they get and ask you to cough. Start coughing you old geezers. And anyone marginally passing today is history if a change happens.

 

[michael707767]

ICAO countries now require US First Officers to have a 1st class medical to operate a trip.

interesting, cause I am hearing the FAA is considering making a first class physical good for 12 months.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

interesting, cause I am hearing the FAA is considering making a first class physical good for 12 months.

Yea, with mandatory blood work ups, stress EKG's, and comparative trend testing looking for progressive declines just like ICAO countries now require which the FAA does not currently require, ie. An Astronaut physical

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Yea, with mandatory blood work ups, stress EKG's, and comparative trend testing looking for progressive declines just like ICAO countries now require which the FAA does not currently require, ie. An Astronaut physical

Not really...from what the FAA has stated, the medical standards for a Class 1 physical for those over age 60, will stay as they are now.

My information comes from an FAA doc.

 

[michael707767]

Yea, with mandatory blood work ups, stress EKG's, and comparative trend testing looking for progressive declines just like ICAO countries now require which the FAA does not currently require, ie. An Astronaut physical

not gonna happen. The same reason the age is being raised to 65 is the reason that the physical will stay the same. There are not enough pilots in the US, and raising the age is a way to increase the supply. Changing the medical standards would have an even bigger negative impact on pilot supply. Add to that, to change the medical standards now would mean admitting that they were not tight enough in the past. You really think the FAA would do that?

 

[ironspud]

Not really...from what the FAA has stated, the medical standards for a Class 1 physical for those over age 60, will stay as they are now.

My information comes from an FAA doc.

My doc says the same, and that eyesight test criteria may be eased as well. (specifically medium range vision). No change in current EKG testing is proposed - matter of fact, most front line doc's oppose the current (modem) system in favor of simply going back to a paper readout. They can evaluate better than FAA OKC staffers and everyone knows it.

 

[brownie]

not gonna happen. The same reason the age is being raised to 65 is the reason that the physical will stay the same. There are not enough pilots in the US, and raising the age is a way to increase the supply. Changing the medical standards would have an even bigger negative impact on pilot supply. Add to that, to change the medical standards now would mean admitting that they were not tight enough in the past. You really think the FAA would do that?

Are u f..kin kidding me, not enough pilots in us. sir what we have is surplus of qualified pilots but unfortunatly they will stay on the street for another 5 yrs thanks to our greedy geezers and spineless faa for caving to it.

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Are u f..kin kidding me, not enough pilots in us. sir what we have is surplus of qualified pilots but unfortunatly they will stay on the street for another 5 yrs thanks to our greedy geezers and spineless faa for caving to it.

...and maybe some spineless pilots who knowing that the ICAO age was going to change....did nothing?

Tejas

 

[brownie]

pilots never have a say in anything let alone this one
Our federal gov should have never agreed and since when we ever f..kin care what icao does.

 

[Flopgut]

CAL MEC is reporting a CDG flight as delayed due to this ruling.

You know, it's too bad some of the CRAP can't reach those SWA slackjaws first and screw up their operation!

 

[geshields]

At CAL, all F/O's (regardless of aircraft assigned) are going to be required to keep up a first class medical going forward. Meaning that it cannot be a first which has lapsed to a second. Medical exam every 6 months now...

 

[geshields]

ICAO countries now require US First Officers to have a 1st class medical to operate a trip.

All you age 65 pushers have repeatedly said the medical standards are going to stay the same if an age change occurs are smoking crack!

ICAO standards are going to bend you over every chance they get and ask you to cough. Start coughing you old geezers. And anyone marginally passing today is history if a change happens.

ICAO countries have had this requirement for quite a while. ICAO countries have been giving us waivers to fly on a second class medical. France just recently decided it was time to start enforcing this rule.

 

[400ADude]

Yea, with mandatory blood work ups, stress EKG's, and comparative trend testing looking for progressive declines just like ICAO countries now require which the FAA does not currently require, ie. An Astronaut physical

I welcome these checks. It really is about time we require a more in depth physical with your class 1. At the very least it will motivate and give some folks a bit of preventative medicine.

 

[GogglesPisano]

At World all FO's have Class 1 medicals every 6 months (paid for by the Company.) I thought every pilot who could operate as a Relief officer had to have one already.

 

[Golden Falcon]

The USA is an ICAO founding member state the FAA licence is an ICAO licence..The JAA is either in the process, or proposing one-year first class medicals, our regulatory authority here has already mentioned this...most non-US countries model their regs after the JAR's..after a fashion..

 

[filejw]

I think i would check on that blood work thing too. Think its just with the first exam not every year and they have gone to 12 months in some countries.

 

[Golden Falcon]

Initial medicals are much different than annual renewals..

 

[KCPilot]

not gonna happen. The same reason the age is being raised to 65 is the reason that the physical will stay the same. There are not enough pilots in the US, and raising the age is a way to increase the supply. Changing the medical standards would have an even bigger negative impact on pilot supply. Add to that, to change the medical standards now would mean admitting that they were not tight enough in the past. You really think the FAA would do that?

There are pilots, they just don't want to work for cheap wages.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

ya right as I said you are on crack

So Tejas-Jet, Ironspud, and Michael707 all say medical standards are staying the same or decreasing because pilots are such healthy specimens of humanity.

So then how come last week a 121 pilot only needed a 2nd class medical to fly but this week we all need a 1st class medical? ie. No EKG last week but required this week

If you think for one minute medical standards are staying the same or decreasing because a few out-of-the-know AME's says so you are mistaken.

Medical standards are increasing as they just did last week.

Say no to age 65 and keep things the same as this weeks newest change. Otherwise, the politicians will have their fingers up your butts in more ways than you ever thought possible.

 

[luckytohaveajob]

Pilot shortage

Michael707 is worried about a pilot shortage. Pilot shortages are not possible. The hiring standards just get reduced as needed to fill the vacancies. If a 250 hour wonder is all that available, a 250 hour wonder gets the job. Its happened many times in the past and will happen again.

Age 65 is not a pilot shortage issue in America, maybe in India or China but certainly not America. With over 5000+ ALPA pilots on furlough who are all qualified to fly any captain position the geezers are trying to keep for another five years, I just don't understand your pilot shortage issue.

 

[canyonblue]

interesting, cause I am hearing the FAA is considering making a first class physical good for 12 months.

The Class of medical is determined by the ability to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held. I have a First Class Medical, which is required by all Southwest pilots, and as an F/O it is good for one year. The Class of medical does not change, ie: after 6 months it does not magically change into a second class, but rather the class required for the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held is what matters. I still have passed the medical certification required by Sec. 67.113 of the FAR's, and it is still a First Class Medical.

 

[TriStar_drvr]

Does SWA only require FOs to get a first class medical once a year?

 

[Tejas-Jet]

So Tejas-Jet, Ironspud, and Michael707 all say medical standards are staying the same or decreasing because pilots are such healthy specimens of humanity.

So then how come last week a 121 pilot only needed a 2nd class medical to fly but this week we all need a 1st class medical? ie. No EKG last week but required this week

If you think for one minute medical standards are staying the same or decreasing because a few out-of-the-know AME's says so you are mistaken.

Say no to age 65 and keep things the same as this weeks newest change.

Can't speak for the other guys but it appears that you haven't read any of my prior posts on the subject, since I have never mentioned that pilots are "such healthy specimens of humanity"...your words, not mine.

Your question.... why was it OK for a 2nd class last week but now it's not? Don't know, don't care. Maybe you should take it up with your Chief Pilot. At "my house" all our pilots are required to have a 1st class...been that way for a long time.

When I said that my information came from an FAA doctor, I didn't mean an "out-of-the-know AME." I meant my information comes from an FAA doctor who works for the FAA at OKC.

Say "no to age 65"? Haven't you been doing that already? Guess what? There are already American citizens flying on airliners being commanded by Pilots over age 60 in American airspace...all agreed to by the U.S. Government...and it's being done daily/hourly with no threat to safety/health.

...looks like you're too late on this issue.

Tejas

 

[Tejas-Jet]

CAL MEC is reporting a CDG flight as delayed due to this ruling.

You know, it's too bad some of the CRAP can't reach those SWA slackjaws first and screw up their operation!

Dude...go get some help. Call ALPA Areomedical, tell them some pilot threw some burgers on the grill the day Braniff filed for BK and it is affecting your ability to discuss issues in a rational manner.

FYI....SWA requires all thier pilots to have a 1st class medical....your current issue won't affect anyone here.

...but, if it makes you feel better, the Dallas Morning news is reporting that due to high winds in the DFW area this past Saturday, SWA had to cancel 9 flights.

There....is it all better now?

Tejas

 

[luckytohaveajob]

Your question.... why was it OK for a 2nd class last week but now it's not? Don't know, don't care.

When I said that my information came from an FAA doctor, I didn't mean an "out-of-the-know AME." I meant my information comes from an FAA doctor who works for the FAA at OKC.

Tejas

Thanks for illustrating my point. Medical standards are changing and you don't know and don't care, your words.

An FAA doctor in OKC says everything staying the same while at that very moment in time changing the rules to ICAO standards contradicting the position you are saying the FAA in OKC stands for. So what is it Tejas? Are the standards what the FAA sets or ICAO? And since ICAO is setting the standards how does that keep the standards the same as we have today at the FAA? It doesn't.

So you and the OKC FAA doctor are spinning this like CNN and company and the medical standards are changing and will change further. The paper work FAA Class One is going to be full blown ICAO medical which far exceeds FAA Class One standards.

 

[Flopgut]

FYI....SWA requires all thier pilots to have a 1st class medical....your current issue won't affect anyone here.

Start flying to CDG. We'll talk then.

 

[mdf]

The bottom line is this. The FAA is a reactionary agency. When ICAO said it was okay to fly at age 65, the FAA should have said sorry, not over our airspace. Instead they say sure, and push for change. Now the frogs are saying everyone needs first class medicals, and what do we do? We get them. The tail is wagging the dog once again. It's the UN all over again. No wonder the world lacks respect for the U.S.

 

[michael707767]

Michael707 is worried about a pilot shortage. Pilot shortages are not possible. .........With over 5000+ ALPA pilots on furlough who are all qualified to fly any captain position the geezers are trying to keep for another five years, I just don't understand your pilot shortage issue.

I fully understand there are still many guys on furlough. But, how many of them are actually unemployed? A furloughed Delta pilot who is at CHQ is not unemployed, and when he is recalled, his spot at CHQ has to be filled.

Yes, to fill spots airlines will (and are) lower standards. From what I am hearing, many regionals are now accepting about 400 hours total time for new hires. So to a certain extent, you are right, there will never really be a shortage of applicants who meet the minimums. But there will be, and I believe already is, a shortage of experienced pilots.

 

[michael707767]

The Class of medical is determined by the ability to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held. I have a First Class Medical, which is required by all Southwest pilots, and as an F/O it is good for one year. The Class of medical does not change, ie: after 6 months it does not magically change into a second class, but rather the class required for the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held is what matters. I still have passed the medical certification required by Sec. 67.113 of the FAR's, and it is still a First Class Medical.

Ok, technically you are correct. Your first class physical is good for 12 months if your operations only require a second class medical certificate. But, if you upgrade from FO to Capt 9 months after your last exam, you would have to have a new physical wouldn't you?

What I was referring too is I have heard that the FAA is considering looking at making a first class physical good for one year for someone whose operations require a first class medical certificate.

 

[canyonblue]

Ok, technically you are correct. But what I was referring too is I have heard that the FAA is considering looking at making a first class physical good for one year for someone whose operations require a first class medical certificate.

Understood. Just hope if it is one year the requirements for certification do not change.