With the recent Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, pilots are asking whether or not they can do a “Virtual Aviation Medical Examination”?
The answer is no.
The FAA has made it clear, that all Aviation Medical Exams must be done in person.
The FAA will not enforce medical certification expiration through June 30, 2020. However, many pilots are telling us that their employer and/or their insurance still requires an active medical certification despite this temporary action by the FAA to not enforce expiration.
As a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, Dr. Christopher Highley is currently scheduling 1st Class, 2nd Class, 3rd Class, and BasicMED exams for those pilots in need of a current medical.
Our office is taking the usual precautions in the setting of COVID-19. At this time, you may be asked to wash/sanitize your hands, don a mask and/or gloves, and answer a few screening questions. We can still do your EKG should you need it for a 1st Class certificate.
Call or text our office to book your flight physical appointment at 775-204-0150.
From the FAA as of April 20, 2020 (https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/designees_delegations/designee_types/ame/)
“At this time, the airman medical certification process has not changed. All airman medical certification examinations must be performed face-to-face as specified in 14 CFR part 61.23. Virtual, online examinations are not permitted. The FAA will not be extending the expiration date of Airman Medical Certificates.
Through June 30, 2020, the FAA will not take legal enforcement action against any person serving as a required pilot flight crewmember or flight engineer based on noncompliance with medical certificate duration standards when expiration of the medical certificate occurs from March 31, 2020, through June 30, 2020—provided they are holders of an FAA-issued medical certificate serving as a required pilot flight crewmember or flight engineer within the United States.
This does not apply to holders of an FAA-issued medical certificate serving as a required pilot flight crewmember or flight engineer outside the United States. The FAA does not anticipate any difficulties with airmen who hold medical certificates covered by this non-enforcement action from conducting commercial international flights as long as their employer follows guidance provided in the respective Part 121 and Part 135 exemptions.
For additional guidance, refer to Enforcement Policy for Expired Airman Medical Certificates, effective April 1, 2020.”
To learn more about the Flight Physical with AME Dr. Highley at Preferred Family Medicine, check out this page: https://preferredfamilymedicine.com/ame-faa-flight-physicals/