Eric Butcher

Here's what I hope is a bit of misinformation.

I have had an FAA PPL for the past ten years or so. I do not live in the US and fly my own US registered airplane in the Eastern Caribbean.

After the great COVID medical and flight review disaster, I have now found a way to get my medical on one of the islands in the region (easier and safer than visiting the US pre-vaccine).

Now here is the odd thing - I have flown for the past ten years with an FAA Class 3 medical - including some flights down from the US.

I am being told that for international flights a Class 3 medical is not now (and maybe never was) good for flights outside the USA and that I should get a Class 2.

My flights are all VFR private flights in my own airplane - can anyone point me at the rule that says Class 3 is no good.

I am aware that some jurisdictions do not have three classes but only 2 (Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean is one - they have never given me an issue) in particular EASA, so if ramp checked in a Dutch or French island (this suggestion is coming from a French island) they will expect to see a Class 2??? That said I was checked in Guadeloupe a couple of years back without any issue. 

So a question for someone with definitive answer am I good for a Class 3 or do I need a Class 2 - I am not a comm. pilot so I think it is good as a PPL medical for two years?

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Here's what I hope is a bit of misinformation.

I have had an FAA PPL for the past ten years or so. I do not live in the US and fly my own US registered airplane in the Eastern Caribbean.

After the great COVID medical and flight review disaster, I have now found a way to get my medical on one of the islands in the region (easier and safer than visiting the US pre-vaccine).

Now here is the odd thing - I have flown for the past ten years with an FAA Class 3 medical - including some flights down ... more

Here's what I hope is a bit of misinformation.

I have had an FAA PPL for the past ten years or so. I do not live in the US and fly my own US registered airplane in the Eastern Caribbean.

After the great COVID medical and flight review disaster, I have now found a way to get my medical on one of the islands in the region (easier and safer than visiting the US pre-vaccine).

Now here is the odd thing - I have flown for the past ten years with an FAA Class 3 medical - including some flights down from the US.

I am being told that for international flights a Class 3 medical is not now (and maybe never was) good for flights outside the USA and that I should get a Class 2.

My flights are all VFR private flights in my own airplane - can anyone point me at the rule that says Class 3 is no good.

I am aware that some jurisdictions do not have three classes but only 2 (Barbados in the Eastern Caribbean is one - they have never given me an issue) in particular EASA, so if ramp checked in a Dutch or French island (this suggestion is coming from a French island) they will expect to see a Class 2??? That said I was checked in Guadeloupe a couple of years back without any issue. 

So a question for someone with definitive answer am I good for a Class 3 or do I need a Class 2 - I am not a comm. pilot so I think it is good as a PPL medical for two years?

Show Less

Here's what I hope is a bit of misinformation.

I have had an FAA PPL for the past ten years or so. I do not live in the US and fly my own US registered airplane in the Eastern Caribbean.

After the great COVID medical and flight review disaster, I have now found a way to get my medical on one of the islands in the region (easier and safer than visiting the US pre-vaccine).

Now here is the odd thing - I have flown for the past ten years with an FAA Class 3 medical - including some flights down ... more

Slowly making my way through the SFAR - my medical expired April 2020 so I am good with the SFAR extending me to end of June (fingers crossed for a further extension as I am out side the US, we have no CFi, no AME and no A&P on this island and the borders remain closed).

On the flight review - I have done the WINGS courses picked up from FAASafety.org (actually quite fun to do) - so I have 50 hours or so in the past year, so good with the minimum of ten in the previous twelve months and I have the three WINGS credits (I have the certificates).

I was wondering what I do next - do I have to notify the FAA separately of the three credits or do they automatically know through the website? 

Thinking as with the medical, carry the old medical and the section of the SFAR, that I would carry the section of the SFAR relating to flight reviews, my log showing the expiry of the old one in may and the three credits certificates.

The reason I need it is to enable a local engine health flight and, as soon as the borders open up, to take it to Guadeloupe for the annual, due end of July (if the three month periods in the SFAR are not extended I hope I will be able to get to Guadeloupe before the end of the month (22nd June is rumoured to be the date for opening of the border - looking at the NOTAM's I could maybe get in before but taking no chances).

Would appreciate any comments on whether I seem to have anything missing in the documents I intend to carry.

Show Less

Slowly making my way through the SFAR - my medical expired April 2020 so I am good with the SFAR extending me to end of June (fingers crossed for a further extension as I am out side the US, we have no CFi, no AME and no A&P on this island and the borders remain closed).

On the flight review - I have done the WINGS courses picked up from FAASafety.org (actually quite fun to do) - so I have 50 hours or so in the past year, so good with the minimum of ten in the previous twelve months and I ... more

Slowly making my way through the SFAR - my medical expired April 2020 so I am good with the SFAR extending me to end of June (fingers crossed for a further extension as I am out side the US, we have no CFi, no AME and no A&P on this island and the borders remain closed).

On the flight review - I have done the WINGS courses picked up from FAASafety.org (actually quite fun to do) - so I have 50 hours or so in the past year, so good with the minimum of ten in the previous twelve months and I have the three WINGS credits (I have the certificates).

I was wondering what I do next - do I have to notify the FAA separately of the three credits or do they automatically know through the website? 

Thinking as with the medical, carry the old medical and the section of the SFAR, that I would carry the section of the SFAR relating to flight reviews, my log showing the expiry of the old one in may and the three credits certificates.

The reason I need it is to enable a local engine health flight and, as soon as the borders open up, to take it to Guadeloupe for the annual, due end of July (if the three month periods in the SFAR are not extended I hope I will be able to get to Guadeloupe before the end of the month (22nd June is rumoured to be the date for opening of the border - looking at the NOTAM's I could maybe get in before but taking no chances).

Would appreciate any comments on whether I seem to have anything missing in the documents I intend to carry.

Show Less

Slowly making my way through the SFAR - my medical expired April 2020 so I am good with the SFAR extending me to end of June (fingers crossed for a further extension as I am out side the US, we have no CFi, no AME and no A&P on this island and the borders remain closed).

On the flight review - I have done the WINGS courses picked up from FAASafety.org (actually quite fun to do) - so I have 50 hours or so in the past year, so good with the minimum of ten in the previous twelve months and I ... more

I heard a radio story recently about small airplanes being welcome at the normally very busy CLT (Charlotte) airport recently due to extreme reduction in scheduled air carrier operations. That gave me an idea.
Yesterday, inflight, I contacted SAN (San Diego Lindbergh) tower requesting a landing and taxi-back for takeoff. I used to be "based" there with my corporate pilot job and my former airline, but hadn't landed there in my Light Sport plane. There was VERY little traffic at SAN at the time and it seemed like a perfect opportunity for a fun landing there.
The FAA control tower politely advised me that due to "local requirements", they would be unable to accomodate a landing and taxi-back. However, if I wanted to land, taxi to the FBO, pay $40 ramp fee to the FBO, then taxi-back for take-off, they could approve that. They specifically told me that if that was within my "budget", they could approve my landing, and departure.
Can they really do that? Can the FAA really require me to stop at the FBO and pay a ramp fee before departure. It's a public airport and there is no "landing fee" at SAN for non-commercial flights.

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I heard a radio story recently about small airplanes being welcome at the normally very busy CLT (Charlotte) airport recently due to extreme reduction in scheduled air carrier operations. That gave me an idea.
Yesterday, inflight, I contacted SAN (San Diego Lindbergh) tower requesting a landing and taxi-back for takeoff. I used to be "based" there with my corporate pilot job and my former airline, but hadn't landed there in my Light Sport plane. There was VERY little ... more

Here's a question for one and all.

The SFAR I find very clear - my medical which expired last month has been extended - great.

My flight review expires this month - I have one of only two airplanes in the country (both are US registered) - I have offered it to the government in case anything urgent needs to be flown in or out (not commercial so at my cost) - no call yet, and as we are now down to only two active cases I hope it won't need to be - so not a member of one of the prescribed US charities - so can I get my review date extended like my medical?

I could see nothing in it that deals with airplanes outside of the US. My prime concern now is once a month 20-30 minute engine health flights - I am currently in the government quarantine here (comfortable hotel suite!) after I was compelled to do a round trip 400 mile international flight as I was not permitted to fly in the circuit for 20 minutes(!) but an international flight if I could find an airport to land at and refuel (400 miles was the closest). A most bizarre situation - but I'll be out of here on Friday and back in after a couple of weeks.

I should say there are no maintenance facilities here who can lay up the engine with the correct oil, wicking plugs etc. - if I could find one it begs the question of how I would get home and not having the airplane here defeats the idea of making it available.

Big question is the one about getting the 3 Wings credits and extending the flight review date if I am not going to be flying for one of the prescribed US charities? 

Show Less

Here's a question for one and all.

The SFAR I find very clear - my medical which expired last month has been extended - great.

My flight review expires this month - I have one of only two airplanes in the country (both are US registered) - I have offered it to the government in case anything urgent needs to be flown in or out (not commercial so at my cost) - no call yet, and as we are now down to only two active cases I hope it won't need to be - so not a member of one of the prescribed US ... more

Here's a question for one and all.

The SFAR I find very clear - my medical which expired last month has been extended - great.

My flight review expires this month - I have one of only two airplanes in the country (both are US registered) - I have offered it to the government in case anything urgent needs to be flown in or out (not commercial so at my cost) - no call yet, and as we are now down to only two active cases I hope it won't need to be - so not a member of one of the prescribed US charities - so can I get my review date extended like my medical?

I could see nothing in it that deals with airplanes outside of the US. My prime concern now is once a month 20-30 minute engine health flights - I am currently in the government quarantine here (comfortable hotel suite!) after I was compelled to do a round trip 400 mile international flight as I was not permitted to fly in the circuit for 20 minutes(!) but an international flight if I could find an airport to land at and refuel (400 miles was the closest). A most bizarre situation - but I'll be out of here on Friday and back in after a couple of weeks.

I should say there are no maintenance facilities here who can lay up the engine with the correct oil, wicking plugs etc. - if I could find one it begs the question of how I would get home and not having the airplane here defeats the idea of making it available.

Big question is the one about getting the 3 Wings credits and extending the flight review date if I am not going to be flying for one of the prescribed US charities? 

Show Less

Here's a question for one and all.

The SFAR I find very clear - my medical which expired last month has been extended - great.

My flight review expires this month - I have one of only two airplanes in the country (both are US registered) - I have offered it to the government in case anything urgent needs to be flown in or out (not commercial so at my cost) - no call yet, and as we are now down to only two active cases I hope it won't need to be - so not a member of one of the prescribed US ... more

Here's a strange question - but for me a very relevant one.

I am British (I also have a Irish passport), I live in Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean (NOT the Dominican Republic) - have an FAA PPL and fly an Archer out of Canefield - this is a small place and I use my airplane like a car to get around the islands.

Now here's the thing, this is no FAA Flight Medical Examiner here or on the neigbouring islands - most of which have in any case closed their borders.

I had booked to go up to the US in two weeks time - yup, US closed to me (technically, I have not been to Europe since last August, but good luck to explaining that to the armed high school drop out that greets you on arrival!!) 

The plan was to get my medical renewed (my last Class 3 was 9th April 2018) and also get my flight review (last one May 2018) - after that a couple of days at Sun n Fun and then back home sorted out for the next couple of years.

Seems I will not be able to get to the US (doubt if I'll be getting my flight costs, car hire costs, insurance and hotels refunded).

It is a very unusual situation - does anyone have any idea if during the virus outbreak whether the FAA are maybe going to allow any "wiggle room" on the medicals and flight reviews?

Thinking this could be relevant to those in the US very soon if doctors are taken away from these things to help with the virus and or if non-essential visits to medical doctors are restricted.

Being outside the US BasicMed does not offer me a way out besides which if one doesn't have a US drivers licence one cannot access it anyway. 

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Here's a strange question - but for me a very relevant one.

I am British (I also have a Irish passport), I live in Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean (NOT the Dominican Republic) - have an FAA PPL and fly an Archer out of Canefield - this is a small place and I use my airplane like a car to get around the islands.

Now here's the thing, this is no FAA Flight Medical Examiner here or on the neigbouring islands - most of which have in any case closed their borders.

I had booked to go up to the ... more