Commercial Fixed Wing
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Work Refused
Human Factors
This was day one of a seven day trip and I was preparing to leave my home. One of the last things I regularly do before departing is ensure I have my Pilot certificate; medical; and passport with me. When I did so I saw for the first time that my medical; dated months prior]; showed 'must wear corrective lenses' in the limitations block. I have never been prescribed glasses nor have not yet needed them. Clearly it's a clerical error; but should I be ramped checked; it avails me little credible recourse. After a few minutes to think it over; I called the program director on duty to relay the situation then proceeded to the AME's office that issued my medical. They agreed it was a clerical error. They provided me their application that was sent to the FAA indicating I met the standards not requiring corrective lenses. They also wrote a signed letter saying it was a mistake. The AME's office gave me their FAA contact to ask what's next; but when I called; it went to voice mail.I then called AMAS (Aviation Medicine Advisory Service) to ask if this was sufficient; but since they're on [different] time zone; I didn't speak with an AME [for a few hours]. The AMAS AME agreed with my concern; and indicated I could proceed with the FAA for correction; but that typically takes weeks to months. The AME indicated the inspector's manual has vague guidance as to what their looking for in something like this. That avails an inspector conducting a ramp check a lot of leeway leaving me in a difficult position. He suggested the most expedient route was for me to get a new medical. I called the AME's office and secured an appointment on the same day. I was done by [early] and called in well for the next day's work. Later that evening; I received a call from the FAA's medical department following up from my call earlier in the morning. He indicated he could have reissued my medical via email. Nevertheless; given the information I had at the time; I feel my decision was sound.This was clearly a clerical error; and went unnoticed for months. I apologize and should have caught it when issued the medical. Having noticed it when I did; and having the information I did at the time; I think I took the prudent recourse for the most expedient remediation. I will be more attentive before signing my medical in the future!
Air Taxi Captain reported noticing the medical certificate issued four months prior included a typographical error that made the certificate invalid.