Wow Tom, quite a concession.

Yes there is a difference between being legal and being safe.
Being legal and being dead doesn't make a lot of sense to me either.
Of course, being picky again, we do not "self certify", we simply observe
the requirements of 14 CFR 61.53(b). While I and, I suspect, you take
this regulation very seriously, I concede that some others may not.

This mirrors the real world, some people are responsible and some are not.
My observations indicate that pilots, of any type, are usually more
responsible
than the general population.

There is at least one other reason why an individual may not have a current
medical.
In my case, while undergoing a back operation, my First Class Medical
expired.
After multiple operations, I have fully recovered but choose not to go
through the
draconian requirements to requalify for a medical. Filling out the Doctor
visits alone
would require 5 extra pages. Although I believe I could qualify for a
medical of
some degree, I choose not to. Having flown powered aircraft most of my life
I am now concentrating on soaring with, I might add, great pleasure.

So, be safe out there and keep the rest of us on our toes.

Cheers,

Allan


"Tom Seim" wrote in message
om...
"ADP" wrote in message
...
Well Tom,

Wrong again.

You may have an instrument rating in a helicopter or an autogiro (powered
lift). Clearly they are not "Airplanes".

Picky, picky. Same difference.

....SNIP......

That is not to say that the practice is safe. Presumably, the pilot in
question doesn't have a current medical because he lost it for some
important medical reason. You cannot declare his actions safe w/o
knowing what that reason was. Remember, we self-certify that we are
fit to fly gliders. As I am sure you are aware, we do not have cart
blanche to fly with a disabling medical condition.

And, yes, I don't know why the guy lost his medical either.

Tom