While I am sure this is not the standard of all Spirit pilots, I do find it very concerning he flew just 6 days prior to this happening. There is also a question as to whether he had a valid or expired medical certificate.

Spirit Pilot Dead

Another version

I didn't see the part about his medical certificate, but I guess I missed it. Regardless, I guess that commercial pilots have to undergo some routine drug testing? I have no idea..

It may have been in another article as the Dayton paper/WHIO has a crappy website and their updates leave a lot to be desired.

The medical certificate (according to the article) is supposed to be updated yearly and I believe his was 2011?

Medical Certificate mentioned in this article.

A short part of the article below:

Pilots must hold valid medical certificates in order to fly. The Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which Halye held, requires a first-class medical certificate, which must be updated every 12 months for a pilot under the age of 40. Halye was 36.

The FAA database lists Halye’s medical certificate date as September, 2011, which would mean the certificate expired more than four years ago. Asked to double check, Cory said Halye’s certificate was up-to-date, with it due to expire this fall.

Ok, I have a couple of relatives that are small (private) plane certified and I know they have a medical certificate requirement, but I think it's more aimed toward vision and physical problems. My uncle had Parkinson's and had to surrender his pilot's license. Not sure how often they have to get the medical cert.

Another Update...no drug testing??

Huh, surprising. I would have thought there would be a mandatory drug test, at least yearly..

Article update and FAA database both now say his last 1st class medical was September 2016. If in fact the original 2011 were true, that would be a big booger on Spirit that would be hard to shake off. Private pilot exams (3rd class) expire very 2 years.

The local news here implied he may not have been drug tested for several years and had just slipped through the cracks. Sounds like he was in the system more than once, did not use his SS# and may not have actually been tested for drugs in several years.

Another Article

I found the last paragraph interesting:

"The updated database lists Halye’s last medical certification as September 2016. While a urine sample is taken during the tests, the sample is tested for diseases but not drug use"

Airline pilot gets an FAA 1st class at least once a year. Some airlines do more frequent checks company checks.

A 2nd or 3rd class urine sample is usually an in office, immediate visual with possibly a dipstick for diabetes. It is not a drug test.