View Pilots Have Duty to Ground Themselves when Ill or Injured

• Pilots who know (or should know) they have a medical issue must not fly
• Legal duty to self-ground is specified in Title 14 CFR § 61.53
• Does not matter if Airman Medical Certificate has expired or not

§61.53 Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.

1. Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, no person who holds a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter may act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:
   
   1. Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or
   2. Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.
2. Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations provided for in §61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.
3. Operations requiring a medical certificate or a U.S. driver's license. For operations provided for in §61.23(c), a person must meet the provisions of?
   
   1. Paragraph (a) of this section if that person holds a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter and does not hold a U.S. driver's license.
   2. Paragraph (b) of this section if that person holds a U.S. driver's license.

NOTE: 14 CFR § 61.53 was revised on July 27, 2004 by adding subparagraph (c)