The Rules Regarding Operation during medical deficiency

• Google site:faa.gov "operations during medical deficiency"

• Title 14 CFR § 61.53 - If a medical is required, a person shall not act as PIC, or as a required flight crew member, while having any medical condition or taking any medication that would make the person unable to meet the standards for the required medical certificate.

• If a medical is not required (balloons, gliders, light sport), while having any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

• This is the pilot's responsibility, either way. The FAA and NTSB do not police this; we're on the honor system. The motivation is a mutual interest in staying alive and not causing harm.

Notes:

Note that 61.53 requires us to take ourselves offline if we develop a disqualifying medical condition

My experience is that most pilots (a) really don't understand their own medical condition; and (b) don't know the list of such conditions. Many ( c ) assume that any problems can be taken care of with a wave of the pen during their next flight physical, scheduled the day before or the day after it expires.

But glider and balloon pilots are allowed to exercise their own judgment. It's part of the pre-flight check.

In any case, the FAA does not compare the “hours flown in the last six months” with the date of the pilot's new disqualifying condition.

But if we have an incident, our insurance company may.