Maybe I'm missing something here Re: Medical Validity

[Chaxterium]

Hello,

This post is regarding Cat 1 Medicals under 40. Everyone knows that the Cat 1 medical is good until the 1st day of the 13th month. However, it's my understanding that if your medical is renewed within 90 days of it's expiry date, the new expiry date is then predicated upon the expiry date of the old medical. As an example my last medical was due Dec 1, 2011. I renewed my medical in November of 2011. Most people would now think that my medical is now good until Dec 1, 2012. According to the regs though, my medical is actually good until Jan 1, 2013. Allow me to show my proof:

404.04 (8) The end of the validity period of a medical certificate that is renewed in accordance with subsection (1.1) is CALCULATED FROM

(a) the day on which the preceding validity period ENDS if the medical examination for the renewal of the certificate is conducted within 90 days before the end of that validity period; or

(b) the first day of the month following the day on which the medical examination for the renewal of the certificate is conducted if the examination is conducted more than 90 days before the end of the preceding validity period.

It took me a few reads of these regs to get my head around it. But it states (please correct me if I'm wrong) that if the medical is renewed within 90 days of it's expiry, the new expiry date is then calculated as if you had completed the medical on the day it expired. So in my case my medical was due Dec 1, 2011 but since it was renewed within 90 days, the new expiry date is then calculated as if I had renewed it on Dec 1, 2011 which makes me good until Jan 1, 2013. Interestingly enough, PPC and line check expiries are calculated in the same fashion if renewed within 90 days of their expiry.

Anyone else agree with this logic?

[chipmunk]

That's correct.

My medical in 2010 was in April, so good to May 1, 2011. I needed to do my next medical early before going overseas, so did it mid-March 2011, within 90 days of May 1, so this made it good until May 1, 2012. I didn't bother getting this year's done until the end of April.

I took an ACP course in about 6 weeks ago and the instructor was happy that my license booklet showed what would, to initial inspection, look like an expired medical and used it as a good teaching point to ensure that us, as check pilots, may have to dig a little deeper into the candidate's license booklet in order to ensure they have the proper medical expiry date.

[Chaxterium]

Glad to hear I'm not completely out to lunch. Just curious though, if you completed the medical within 90 days of May 1st, 2011, would that not make it valid until June 1, 2012?

Also, the entire reason I posted this thread was because I just checked my online file with TC and it shows that I completed my medical in November, which is correct, but then it shows the expiry date as December 1, 2012 which is incorrect so I thought maybe I was reading the regs wrong but I think someone just dropped the ball on that one.

Cheers,
Chax

[chipmunk]

Glad to hear I'm not completely out to lunch. Just curious though, if you completed the medical within 90 days of May 1st, 2011, would that not make it valid until June 1, 2012?

Also, the entire reason I posted this thread was because I just checked my online file with TC and it shows that I completed my medical in November, which is correct, but then it shows the expiry date as December 1, 2012 which is incorrect so I thought maybe I was reading the regs wrong but I think someone just dropped the ball on that one.

Cheers,
Chax

It's from my "original" date of expiry which was 1 May. I look at it so you don't get penalized renewing early, and you get the "extra" UP TO 90 days prior to the expiry date. Like a PPC, if you do the ride 40 days early, that doesn't mean you can take the "unused" 50 days and not do your next renewal until then

I didn't check my online file with TC, however, so I have no idea what it showed in the system, but regardless, my license booklet showed me CARs compliant and that's all that is looked at for a ramp check, admittance to a PPC, etc etc.) Perhaps call or send the TC medical folks a note? (And when you do the medical early next time, make sure that your AME realizes it.)

Bored out there, Chax?

[Krimson]

If I have done my medical around the same time every year, never allowing it to lapse, does this mean my medical is valid to the anniversary date of my very first medical? Or is it only to the date of the most recent year which passed?

[opie]

I ran into this with the Medical office at TC last year when my new 'sticker' arrived with what I viewed as too early an examination date (I thought they would make it the same as the previous years + one year. I am <40). The simple explanation from them at the time was that their computer system was not setup to process expiry dates as the regulations are written. And as such, they were hoping to have the regulation removed instead of updating their software.

After several back and forth calls I was instructed that if I needed a letter stating that my medical was valid (I was applying for an overseas license validation) then one could be prepared at no cost to me... lucky me.. just took an hour or two of my life arguing back and forth.

O.

[Mad Flying Ace]

Funnily enough, the reg is the reg - however, most AMOs don't seem to agree with the reg - and very often will renew the medical 1st of the 7th or 13th month (as applicable) instead of recognizing the 90 day leeway.

and of course, because TC is so consistent from regional office to regional office, you may get 5 different answers as you cross the country.

But the regulation with the 90 days caveat is the law,and TC will adjust as required if your AMO did not file the paperwork accordingly.

MFA

[Conquest Driver]

I don't agree with the "extra month".

If that theory were correct, it would appear to allow a rolling 13 month vailidity period.


(a) the day on which the preceding validity period ENDS if the medical examination for the renewal of the certificate is conducted within 90 days before the end of that validity period; or

Medicals and most other aviation documents show, as an example, a "valid to 2012-06-01" So, to my way of thinking, that means it expires on 2012-05-31 at midnight. So the validity period actually ends on the last day of the previous month.

[chipmunk]

I don't agree with the "extra month".

If that theory were correct, it would appear to allow a rolling 13 month vailidity period.


(a) the day on which the preceding validity period ENDS if the medical examination for the renewal of the certificate is conducted within 90 days before the end of that validity period; or

Medicals and most other aviaiton documents show, as an example, a "valid to 2012-06-01"

Pull out your license booklet
If you look at your sticker (or what was originally printed with a yellow border in the first empty space in the medical section of the license booklet) it will only say the medical exam date. Likewise, that is what the AME signs to in the empty spaces when you get renewals. It does not have an expiry date printed on it like your IFR, instructor rating, etc.

So, to my way of thinking, that means it expires on 2012-05-31 at midnight. So the validity period actually ends on the last day of the previous month.

I don't have time to look up the reference but I believe the expiry for medical/PPC/whatever, is officially at midnight zulu on the first of the (x) month. (x = 13th, 7th, 25th, depending on what you're renewing, realizing that if you do your renewal within 90 days prior to your expiry date, you do not get penalized and "lose" those days.)

[Daddymac]

If its "valid to 2012-06-01" then its valid. Its not a best before date is it. Although there are some fruits out there....
Lagalese jargon... I'm no lawyer though... Arrgh
AMOs would obviously benefit without this reg.

[sakism]

Here is the root of the confusion.

Your medical is valid until the first day of the 13th month. It is not valid on the first day of the 13th month.

Thus the expiry date is actually the last day of the 12th month.

[Jack Klumpus]

Here is the root of the confusion.

Your medical is valid until the first day of the 13th month. It is not valid on the first day of the 13th month.

Thus the expiry date is actually the last day of the 12th month.

Leave it to the English major...

We need to catch up on skype.

Sincerely,

Hitherto

[Daddymac]

Sakism is correct.
There is less legalese in the AIM...

"The validity period of a medical certificate is calculated from the first day of the month following the date of the medical examination or medical declaration."

If your medical is good for 12 months then its only good to the end of the 12 month.

Peace out
Dm aka Rotting fruit