Originally Posted by
flyingreasemnky
If that were true than a lot of people who let their medical lapse with a ppl and than fly under sport pilot rules would be breaking a lot of regs. Republic and Pinnacle even have it in their contract that a captain that loses their first class can take an fo seat. I don't think there would be a negotiated provision in a contract if it was against the regs.
When those contracts were negotiated, it wasn't regulation for an FO to have an ATP. It will be regulation in the future however.
I think this is an interesting question that hasn't yet been addressed by the FAA. My guess would be that in the future, the medical requirement will read something similar to this "
First class medical is required for any ATP certificated pilot who is acting as PIC of a place requiring a type rating. A second class medical is required to act as SIC."