Not so fast...

[Skinner]

cut-n-paste from a NBAA update email:

"NBAA recently became aware that a U.S. Part 91 flightcrew was grounded in Europe following a safety assessment of a foreign aircraft (SAFA) check, despite the fact that both pilots held valid second-class medical certificates. While possession of a valid second-class medical certificate is sufficient to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate in the U.S., the requirement is inconsistent with ICAO standards and recommended practices. NBAA urges pilots exercising commercial and airline transport pilot privileges flying internationally to possess a current first-class medical certificate."

 

[TigerDriver]

We should have a safety assessment of european aircraft:
"while being able to talk is sufficent to excercise the privileges of a commercial pilot in your own country, the ability to speak ENGLISH CLEARLY while on US soil is consistent with our standards and recommended practices."

 

[LJ45]

Amen Brother !!!

 

[FlyingMoose]

cut-n-paste from a NBAA update email:

"NBAA recently became aware that a U.S. Part 91 flightcrew was grounded in Europe following a safety assessment of a foreign aircraft (SAFA) check, despite the fact that both pilots held valid second-class medical certificates. While possession of a valid second-class medical certificate is sufficient to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate in the U.S., the requirement is inconsistent with ICAO standards and recommended practices. NBAA urges pilots exercising commercial and airline transport pilot privileges flying internationally to possess a current first-class medical certificate."

"The NBAA urges"... I would hope so; it's a regulatory requirement. Why should a crew not expect to follow the appropriate regulations of the country in which they are operating. To the best of my knowledge, this has always been a requirement of JAR's.

Honestly, the owner of the aircraft should be concerned why his crew was not aware of this requirement and of what other foreign regs and requirements they may have violated. That stuff can get pretty expensive for an aircraft owner/operator and crew!

This kind of stuff is the whole deal with international flying. It ain't just knowing how to make a position report on the HF!

 

[SabreFlyR]

I have no dog in this hunt, but as you can see this is a copy of the icao rule.

NOTE: This is copied from another site.


Here is the language from Annex 1 Chapter 6:

6.1.1 Class of Medical Assessment


Three classes of Medical Assessment shall be established as follows:

a) Class 1 Medical Assessment; applies to applicants for, and holders of:

• commercial pilots licenses - aeroplane and helicopter
• airline transport pilot licenses - aeroplane and helicopter
• flight navigator licenses
• flight engineer licenses

b) Class 2 medical Assessment; applies to applicants for, and holders of:

• private pilot licenses - aeroplane and helicopter
• glider pilot licenses
• free balloon pilot licenses

c) Class 3 Medical Assessment; applies to applicants for, and holders of:

• air traffic controller licenses

The FAA created two classes of Medical Certificates that fall under ICAO Class 1, i.e. our Class I and Class II. The FAA Class III is an ICAO Class 2.

This occasionally causes some confusion overseas during a "ramp check" when you display an FAA Class II which is not the same as an ICAO Class 2.

I wish I could find a copy of the letter from the ICAO Medical Officer. What he said is that an FAA Class II is the equivalent to an ICAO Class 1.

Clear as mud?

 

[con-pilot]

Three guesses on what country that is holding up the crew, first two don't count.

 

[LJ45]

France

 

[con-pilot]

The ICAO Letter.

ICAO first Class Medical Brief:

ICAO designates three classes of medical assessments:

• Class 1 for ATPL and CPL-holders
• Class 2 for PPL-holders
• Class 3 for ATC license holders.

This classification is used world-wide. The FAA has chosen to number the US medical classes differently, causing considerable confusion within states (countries) evaluating, medicals from U.S. pilots.

The US first class and second class medical certificates correspond to ICAO Class 1 Medical Assessment. However, even though a US first and second class medical certificate is the equivalent of an ICAO class 1 assessment, in some ICAO countries it may be easier for you to carry a US first class medical certificate than to explain to an inspector (in a foreign language) that a US second class equals an ICAO Class 1 from the rest of the world.

A US first class and second class medical certificate is the same as an ICAO Class 1 Medical Assessment.

For More Information regarding these medical standards, a point of contact within ICAO is:

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

One should really get a copy of that letter in French.

 

[LJ45]

maybe the FAA could put a note on our medical telling us the ICAO equivalent. Wait!...that is too easy and makes sense ;-)

 

[G100driver]

maybe the FAA could put a note on our medical telling us the ICAO equivalent. Wait!...that is too easy and makes sense ;-)

Either that or realize that US does not make policy when it comes to international ops and conform to ICAO.

It would make everyone's job much easier.