Any updates on the 3rd class medical?
So I like many others ran across the AOPA article regarding the petition to discharge the 3rd class medical requirement up to the Recreational pilot rating.
Other than general speculation I can't really find any information on the response or ongoing discussion etc etc.
Being Ex-military there are simply things in our medical records that instill a bit of anxiety knowing that if I apply and get rejected I also will be unable to even fly LSA.
I am currently working on my sport ticket but seriously my dream in life is to simply have a 150 or 152 to take a few nice trips with my wife in once in a while.
So does anyone have anything deffinative on where this is going with the FAA? recent news releases? friends on the inside? articles even saying that the FAA is considering this in the near future etc etc?
Third Class Medical Exemption
Kurt,
The same exact question that you had has been badgering me for the last couple of weeks. I guess, based on the nominal response which you have received, it doesn't look good. However, since in MHO, this change would be even more important to G/A than the Sport Pilot concept itself, the reaction of "just sleep through an election year" attitude should simply not be accepted. I feel that it is incumbent on the whole pilot community to protest the non-informative position which both the AOPA and the EAA have taken on the status of this proposal and their efforts to represent us before the FAA. There is certain to be an impact from manufacturers of 175-200k LSA's and their concern about a market demand slump if the proposal should succeed. But this is only to be expected and these people have reason not to want to see thousands of Cessna 150's and Piper Cherokees suddenly flood the market they presumed to have been awarded in a grand monoply fashion by the stewards of G/A. Most importantly, those of us who are pilots need to protest the inaction of our organizations and speak our position directly to them. I hope you and our flying comrades will join in a direct written and telephonic campaign to insure that they don't attempt to make excuses instead of taking the actions promised. My letters will go out this week. I hope many of the EAA pilots here will join in.
Note: The AOPA Pilot magazine which is in the mail last week contained a short supportive article on page 12 titled :Keep flying: Free online course, no AME". Reading it one might presume the 3rd class exemption was still on course. This ignores the earlier promises of making a formal request to the FAA in January 2012. Also, the unfortunate personal difficulties experienced by the past FAA head should in no way impede our efforts on this important legislation.
EDGEFLY
Drivers License medical proposal
I agree with EDGEFLY. A strong response from the membership of both organizations is needed. I'm very disappointed that this got slid to the back burner due to a DUI (really), and likely also the financial interest of a few. This proposal is very much needed for recreational aviation. It generated a lot of enthusiasm. At a time when we are constantly hear about reducing burdensome regulations and the cost of government, this proposal seemed to hit the mark. The LSA medical incapacitation rate of zero since its existence would serve to assure safety concerns. This one smaller issue, because of the politics, serves to identify why we have so many larger issues today in our country. Sadly, I see the chances of this happening anytime soon, if ever, about the same as me purchasing a 130,000 dollar LSA to go defy crosswinds in. Bipeflyer