I saw this a week ago and meant to share but forgot. Hopefully this allows someone to keep flying or keep their job. FAA is allowing pilots to fly on expired medicals if the expiration was from March 31, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and they are a required crew member.

Legal speak here:
https://nbaa.org/wp-content/uploads/air ... Policy.pdf

I allowed my 1st class to lapse in February and wasn't going to renew until May when needed it for work, in order to get a few months free. Bad idea. I had to scramble a ago to find an AME in the Denver area that still had their practice open. My first 3 calls weren't taking appointments anymore. This exemption wouldn't have helped me, but I still appreciate the FAA doing this.

Just be careful with that. Notice that this doesn't say it's LEGAL to operate an aircraft with an expired medical, only that the FAA isn't going to cite you if you do so during these specific conditions.

Your insurance underwriter MAY not be on board with this, and as many of us know, they're the ones that can really hurt you.....in the wallet.

MTV

mtv wrote:Just be careful with that. Notice that this doesn't say it's LEGAL to operate an aircraft with an expired medical, only that the FAA isn't going to cite you if you do so during these specific conditions.

Your insurance underwriter MAY not be on board with this, and as many of us know, they're the ones that can really hurt you.....in the wallet.

MTV

+1

Before flying with the FAA unenforced medical I would want at least an email statement my liability and hull covereage would remain in force... then I STILL wouldn't fly passengers.

Checking with your insurance company about this is really important. Most insurance companies look for any opportunity to deny or delay claim payments.

I'm caught up in not being able to renew my medical which expires on 4/30/2020. I checked with my broker via email if I would have coverage if flying with an expired medical during the Covid-19 crisis due to the FAA position on non enforcement.

They responded in writing that my coverage will continue through 6/30/2020. What a relief!

Rich

rfinkle wrote:..... Most insurance companies look for any opportunity to deny or delay claim payments......

I've heard this kinda statement many times, even made it myself a time or two.
But I'm curious if anyone has actually has this happen to them--
had an insurance company try to weasel out of a legit claim?
I've never had a claim on my airplane insurance,
but had a couple on my car insurance over the years.
The only problem I ever had was when I had a year-and-a-half old car totalled when a drunk driver hit me.
Even then it wasn't that the insurance was trying to deny the claim--
they just wanted to give me what I thought wasn't enough money.

rfinkle wrote:Checking with your insurance company about this is really important. Most insurance companies look for any opportunity to deny or delay claim payments.

I'm caught up in not being able to renew my medical which expires on 4/30/2020. I checked with my broker via email if I would have coverage if flying with an expired medical during the Covid-19 crisis due to the FAA position on non enforcement.

They responded in writing that my coverage will continue through 6/30/2020. What a relief!

Rich

Rich, I'm glad this was able to help you out, that's what I like to hear.

Many groups are taking logical and compassionate approaches to making peoples lives easier during this pandemic which is all we can ask.

One other point: If you were planning to fly through Canada soon.....you're going to need a valid medical. The FAA saying they won't enforce probably isn't going to convince the Canadian government to go along with the notion.

MTV

mtv wrote:One other point: If you were planning to fly through Canada soon.....you're going to need a valid medical. The FAA saying they won't enforce probably isn't going to convince the Canadian government to go along with the notion.

MTV

Well, Transport Canada has issued the same timelines on medicals as the FAA, so I'd say you're safe here as well.

hotrod180 wrote:

rfinkle wrote:..... Most insurance companies look for any opportunity to deny or delay claim payments......

I've heard this kinda statement many times, even made it myself a time or two.
But I'm curious if anyone has actually has this happen to them--
had an insurance company try to weasel out of a legit claim?
I've never had a claim on my airplane insurance,
but had a couple on my car insurance over the years.
The only problem I ever had was when I had a year-and-a-half old car totalled when a drunk driver hit me.
Even then it wasn't that the insurance was trying to deny the claim--
they just wanted to give me what I thought wasn't enough money.

One of my neighbors at KCCR had his plane totalled by a local FBO. When he submitted his claim to the insurance company they offered him 50% of the stated hull value and basically told him to take it or leave it.

I told him to have an attorney write a letter to the insurance company with some very specific comments. He did and had a check for the full stated hull value within the same week.

You may wonder what are my credentials for this advice. I built a business in California that ensured medical providers would be paid appropriately for their services as stated in their contracts. Knock on wood, we never lost a case if it went court.

BTW, this was the first time I ever heard that an aviation insurer was trying to reduce their contractual obligation to the insured.

rfinkle wrote:Checking with your insurance company about this is really important. Most insurance companies look for any opportunity to deny or delay claim payments.

I'm caught up in not being able to renew my medical which expires on 4/30/2020. I checked with my broker via email if I would have coverage if flying with an expired medical during the Covid-19 crisis due to the FAA position on non enforcement.

They responded in writing that my coverage will continue through 6/30/2020. What a relief!

Rich

Rich - who is your broker? I am looking for a new broker as my existing broker will not tell me whether or not I am covered despite being asked several times now.