By virtue of the OPM job classification of an FG-1825 ASI, flight checks in actual aircraft is part of the generic job description. Any ASI (GA or ACO) doing flight checks in actual aircraft requires a 2nd class medical. Granted not all ACO positions involve flight checks in actual aircraft, BUT to get “in the door” from the outside, it is my understanding after being here for over a decade is that entry level ACO ASI positions are “generic” FG-1825 positions at the 9/11/12 grade and you must meet all the generic hiring requirements, including medical ceritification. If anyone lurking here has been recently hired “off the street” without a medical, please chime in! I have personally never in my career heard of anyone getting hired off the street as an ACO ASI without holding a 2nd class medical.