Medical Certificate

A pilot's medical certificate goes hand-in-hand with her license.  So it really makes sense that they are both in the aviation document booklet.  Now if only they could have a sticker for radio licenses as well...

CAR 404.03 Requirement to Hold a Medical Certificate
Essentially, to exercise the privileges of your license, you need to hold a valid medical certificate appropriate to that license.  So, according to CAR 404.10, if I want to use my ATPL, I need a valid Category 1 Medical.

CAR 404.04 Issuance, Renewal and Validity Period of Medical Certificates

This is a long one.  The keys in this context are paragraphs 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3, and I must remind myself that there have been some changes within the last year with regards to age restrictions:

• if I want to exercise the privileges of my ATPL, my Category 1 medical is valid for 12 months since I am under 40
• once I turn 40, if I want to operate single-pilot with passengers, the validity is reduced to 6 months
• once I turn 60, the validity is reduced to 6 months for all operations

CAR 404.06 Prohibitions Regarding Exercise of Privileges

Of course there are various things that can make my medical invalid, such as:

a) impairment (due to injury, drug, medical treatment)

b) involvement in an aircraft accident which resulted from impairment

c) pregnancy over 30 weeks

d) giving birth within the previous 6 weeks.  

That being said, there is always room for exemption (written authorization from Minister), which can be issued for a) and d) if it does not affect safety.  For example, I heard of a woman flying within days of giving birth to her third child.

CAR 404.18 Permission to Continue to Exercise the Privileges of a License or Rating

When you go to renew your medical, your CAME will deem you fit (with a stamp in your aviation document booklet, signed and dated) or unfit (you get your booklet back with nothing).  Also, CAR 404.04 states that if you go to renew your medical within 90 days of the end of the validity period, the next validity period is determined as if you renewed on the last day of the current validity period. 

• for example: my medical is valid until September 1, 2015
• if I renew on June 15, 2015, my next one will be valid until September 1, 2016
• if I renew on May 15, 2015 (too early), my next one will be valid until June 1, 2016

We've talked alot about regulations, but must also touch on the standards.  

Standard 424 Physical and Mental Requirements is a huge chart.  I've noticed in my practice questions that the frequency for getting ECGs gets some attention, so it would be good to review those:

For Category 1 Medicals, "routine electro-cardiography shall form part of the heart examination of an applicant:

• for the first issue of a medical certificate
• within the 2 years preceding the examination between ages 30 and 40
• within the 12 months preceding the examination after age 40

POP QUIZ!

An ATPL holder notes that his medical certificate has run out of time for Category 1 medical examination requirements.  Which license privileges may he now exercise and for how long?