Medical Certificate

[SARDOC]

In order to get a Medical Certificate you must see an FAA approved physician.  Unless you are active duty military, you could see a Military Flight Surgeon.  Is the Document issued by the Flight Surgeon valid for CAP pilot purposes in lieu of the FAA Certificate.  I can't find anything in the new CAPR 60-1 that it's allowed or prohibited.  It just states "Medical Certificate" It doesn't even say FAA.

Just curious if anyone out there has an actual Military pilot that might be flying CAP airplanes.  Thanks

[SarDragon]

When I was a student pilot OAD, I got all of my medicals (3rd and 2nd class) through military flight surgeons. They even gave me the proper student pilot certificate. This was back in the '70s. Things may or may not have changed.

[Flying Pig]

Believe it or not..... Not all military flight surgeons are approved to give FAA flight physicals.  I get  a first class military flight physical every 3 years to attend the Navy underwater egress course.  The physicals I get dont qualify for the FAA. Believe me..... I tried even though Im there all freaking day..blood work, eyes exam, hearing exam sitting in the silent box, EKG.....   Wild huh

I know a pilot here locally who flies Super Hornets and has to get an FAA exam from a civilian doc in order to fly civilian.  None of the docs at the base are approved to do FAA medicals. 

[SARDOC]

Thanks for the input guys and I believe what you are telling me.  Does CAP require an FAA medical Certificate and where can I find the reference.  Thanks

[bflynn]

In order to get a Medical Certificate you must see an FAA approved physician.  Unless you are active duty military, you could see a Military Flight Surgeon.  Is the Document issued by the Flight Surgeon valid for CAP pilot purposes in lieu of the FAA Certificate.  I can't find anything in the new CAPR 60-1 that it's allowed or prohibited.  It just states "Medical Certificate" It doesn't even say FAA.

Just curious if anyone out there has an actual Military pilot that might be flying CAP airplanes.  Thanks

CAP doesn't create or control the requirement for flight medicals, they come from the FAA.  Therefore only the FAA controls what constitutes a valid flight medical....or for that matter, a valid pilot's certificate.  A military flight medical does not satisfy the requirement for an FAA medical unless the doctor is also an FAA doctor.

In addition to military flight medicals being different, military pilots don't even necessarily have a FAA issued pilot's certificate.  They can get one pretty easily and I imagine most of them do, but they are seperate things.

The only thing valid for CAP, since we are a civilian organization, is FAA documents.

[sparks]

The following FAA link will help you find a Medical Examiner;

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

[Flying Pig]

If your a pilot in CAP and flying your required to have a pilots license issued by the FAA.  The only thing that makes that valid is a valid medical from the FAA.  Military rated pilots have to have civilian ratings to fly CAP aircraft.  Our aircraft are operated Part 91, not Public Use.  Whatever any civilian would need, so does any CAP pilot.
Its not that CAP requires one.  The FAA does.  In order to have a valid pilot certificate you have to have a valid FAA medical.  The FAA has no juridiction over military aviation which is why military pilots dont get issued FAA medicals from a flight surgeon.

[SARDOC]

Thanks Flying Pig that answers my question.  On another note, there was a discussion recently about CAP/USAF personnel possibly being able to fly CAP aircraft as well.  Does that mean they also have to get the FAA required documentation if not already done so.  Thanks

[Flying Pig]

I would have to think so.  CAP planes fall under the jursdiction of the FAA.

[bosshawk]

The short answer is YES, they must have an FAA license and an FAA medical in order to fly CAP aircraft.  In addition, they must do a form 5.

[PHall]

One of the Flight Surgeons at March ARB was also a FAA designated Flight Surgeon too. It's not that uncommon.

[bosshawk]

You are right, Phil.  IN my days in the Army(a looooong time ago) there were lots of Flight Surgeons who were also AMEs.

[PHall]

It's not that hard for a military flight surgeon to get designated an FAA Flight Surgeon.
Basically they just apply for the designation and provide the documentation from the military showing the training they received.
Mostly a paperwork exercise.

[Paradoc]

It's not that hard for a military flight surgeon to get designated an FAA Flight Surgeon.
Basically they just apply for the designation and provide the documentation from the military showing the training they received.
Mostly a paperwork exercise.

Actually, you are incorrect.

The FAA requires all Aviation Medical Examiners to attend a Basic AME Seminar in Oklahoma City.  This is a week long course (but it felt like two weeks!).  When I took my basic course I had 20+ military flight surgeons in my class.  Even though they were trained as flight surgeons in the military, they had to take the FAA course to do civilian flight physicals.  It is not just a "paperwork exercise".

There are many military flight surgeons who are also FAA flight surgeons.  And most of them will do the FAA paperwork for military pilots who also fly civilian.

Yes, in order to fly with CAP, you need a valid FAA flight physical from a designated FAA AME.  Military flight physicals don't count for FAA pilot privileges.

[SARDOC]

CAP doesn't create or control the requirement for flight medicals, they come from the FAA.  Therefore only the FAA controls what constitutes a valid flight medical....or for that matter, a valid pilot's certificate.  A military flight medical does not satisfy the requirement for an FAA medical unless the doctor is also an FAA doctor

The FAR's have this reference

(b) Operations not requiring a medical certificate. A person is not required to hold a medical certificate--
Snipped for brevity
(9)When a military pilot of the U.S. Armed Forces can show evidence of an up-to-date medical examination authorizing pilot flight status issued by the U.S. Armed Forces and--


(i) The flight does not require higher than a third-class medical certificate; and
(ii) The flight conducted is a domestic flight operation within U.S. airspace. 

If the FAA will accept a Military Flight Physical, will CAP?

[scooter]

On a related note, Oct 1, 2012 MedXpress is in force for FAA Medical Certificates.  See attach.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[SARDOC]

Bump.

Is there any reference that requires specifically an FAA medical to fly CAP aircraft?

[SarDragon]

Bump.

Is there any reference that requires specifically an FAA medical to fly CAP aircraft?

Yes. CAPR 60-1, paras 3-7, and 3-9.

You  must be current under FAA regs. This includes a medical.

[SARDOC]

Yes. CAPR 60-1, paras 3-7, and 3-9.

You  must be current under FAA regs. This includes a medical.

Both Those paragraphs just state that they must meet FAA Guidelines and a Military Pilot with a Military Clearance for Flight meets FAA guidelines.  No FAA medical Certificate is needed if they can provide proof of a military clearance for flight.

If that's the only reference than a Military pilot should be able to fly CAP aircraft without an FAA medical Certificate.  I can't find any reg to the contrary.

[bflynn]

I think you're right, as long as the military flight medical is current.  I'll admit that I learned something...never really read through all the "not needed" section of 61.23 (b)

As a practical item, wouldn't documentation of the military medical be required in e-services?  And then probably an explanation to a lot of people that this is indeed valid as a medical under 61.23 (b).

I have no idea what all that would entail.  It sounds a lot easier to just find a military doctor that is also an AME and pay them for the extra paperwork...