GA Medical Reform

 

The FAA medical reform is an important part of aviation the Pilot’s Bill of Rights, 2 allow pilots that are flying recreationally in a large and wide range of aircrafts to no longer obtain a third class medical certificate. This bill would allow private pilots to make noncommercial IFR and VFR flights in aircraft up to 6,000 pounds with six seats or more. There’s a group of powerful government officials that has introduced new legislation in Congress that allow tens and thousands of pilots to fly without going through the costly third class medical procedures and would offer new protections for pilots in general aviation and other divisions of aviation. “ALPA says it wants medical reform to be a part of the discussion about FAA reauthorization, which has been delayed to at least September. But such reform is certain to be overshadowed by bigger issues, such as a Republican proposal to privatize ATC and levy aviation user fees.”(Pope 2015)

The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, pilots can fly recreationally in a wide range of aircrafts, and would no longer need to obtain a third class medical certificate. The new bill would allow private pilots to make noncommercial IFR and VFR flights in aircraft up to 6,000 pounds with up to six seats. Pilots are allowed to carry up to five passengers or less, they can also fly at altitudes below 14,000 feet msl, but they may not fly no faster than 250 knots. “This legislation has the potential to allow medically unfit pilots unfettered access to the national airspace at altitudes up to 18,000 feet, which also includes commercial airline traffic carrying passengers and cargo”.(Rapp 2015) The FAA provided a detailed descriptions on the medical reform and it also gives detailed descriptions on each bill and regulation.

References

Pope S. “No Action on Third-Class Medical Reform Until Fall” Published: 2015 Jul 30. Retreived from: http://www.flyingmag.com/news/no-action-third-class-medical-reform-until-fall#i3QwZUUwCvOb01Vk.99

Rapp R. “Hanging Separately on Medical Reform” Published on 2015 July 27 Retrieved from: http://www.rapp.org/archives/2015/07/medical-reform/