3rd Class Medical Reform now Law!

[DaleB]

I'm too lazy (or busy - your choice) to read the regulations. So help me out a bit.

In what circumstances is this new improved set of regulations an improvement over the old 3rd class medical?

This one seems to be at least as much hassle as getting the third class. The short answer... I think the only ones who are really celebrating may well be the ones with SIs they'll never have to get again.

[FlyingRon]

If you're over 40, it lets you get by with four years and if you go in for a regular checkup you can likely piggy back this one on.

[martymayes]

This one seems to be at least as much hassle as getting the third class. The short answer... I think the only ones who are really celebrating may well be the ones with SIs they'll never have to get again.

I'd be interested in seeing what percentage of the pilot population has actually benefited from this legislation, that is those that had been previously excluded from acting as PIC due to inability to pass a medical exam. Seems this was one of those "pick your battles" that could have fought from a different angle.

[L16 Pilot]

In my case at age 77 I basically have no health issues but have heard horror stories about someone misdiagnosed with some imagined aliment which triggers being a pen pal with the FAA and takes many dollars and paperwork to sort out. I think I'm quite capable of deciding whether or not I'm fit to fly. I get a through physical every years. In addition this allows me to raise the gross weight on my L16 to 1350# legally and fly my 1350# Chief legally or a Cessna 150, Cherokee or anything else that qualifies with the new regulations.