Removes Requirement To Have Letter On Physical Person While Exercising Pilot Privileges

A rule published last month in the Federal Register removes a regulatory provision under FAA medical certification standards intended, in part, to require that individuals granted the Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) have their letter of Authorization in their physical possession or readily accessible on the aircraft while exercising pilot privileges. The FAA imposed this regulatory provision in 2008 to respond to a 2007 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) adverse audit finding regarding endorsement of FAA certificates.

The FAA says it is not aware of any individuals affected by the standard who have had to produce their letter of Authorization for any civil aviation authorities during the 3-year period the rule has been in effect. For this reason, and because affected individuals find the standard burdensome given that other longstanding FAA operational requirements already mandate that pilots carry their medical certificate when exercising pilot privileges, the FAA has identified this regulation as one that can be removed under Executive Order 13563 of January 18, 2011: "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review."

While this action removes the burden for affected individuals to carry their medical letter of Authorization, long-standing requirements under FAA operational standards requiring individuals to carry FAA certificates while exercising pilot privileges remain unchanged.

The effective date is July 20th, 2012. Comments are due on or before May 21, 2012. If adverse comment is received, the FAA will publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register.

FMI: www.faa.gov