Light Transport
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 2500; Flight Crew Type 350
Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Manuals; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Based on unfamiliarity with the FAA's COVID relief policy regarding medical duration's; I acted as PIC between ZZZ and ZZZ1 on date in a type aircraft with an unknowingly expired 2nd class medical (issued date). The unfamiliarity came from reading headlines in several industry publication emails about the FAA extending medical certificate duration's during COVID.  I failed to follow up on these headlines to determine the extent of the extensions and therefore performed this flight under the assumption that medicals were extended indefinitely until COVID was over.I discovered my mistake after my coworker (in ground school) asked me about medical duration's in preparation for his private pilot written exam. I proceeded to search for his answer; and in the meantime recalled the COVID medical certification extension news.  Upon finding and reading FAA orders describing the extension details; I discovered my certificate was subject to a two-month extension and expired date.  Immediately I visited the FAA's AME directory and called several AME's because my AME has since closed their practice.  I found several AME's (including my previous AME) to be no longer practicing FAA exams (some for several years); however they were still listed in the FAA directory.  I finally found someone still in business and am in the process of scheduling an appointment with them at the earliest convenience.I have a flight today to/from ZZZ2 where I will sit the in the right seat only to provide an extra set of trained eyes and ears for the safety of the flight while not acting as PIC or SIC until my medical is renewed.
Corporate pilot reported flying without a current medical.