Medical Reform

[rwanttaja]

I have to admit to being a bit perplexed. DOT (not FAA) seems to be the impediment to the FAA's Third Class Medical Reform Proposed Rule. It has sat in DOT since Summer 2014. Yet in conversations with some VERY senior folks in DOT (who I know and trust implicitly), they are watching the PBOR2 legislation move through the Hill, and seem quite receptive to it.

Perhaps DOT/FAA has become so dysfunctional that they can't help themselves, yet they truly seem to want to see PBOR2 succeed.

I'm not at all surprised by this. If the DOT approved the FAA's reform and something bad happened, it would be DOT's fault. If they implement PBOR2, then if something goes wrong it's Congress' fault.

PBOR2 is more restrictive than the DOT had been asked to approve, too.

Ron Wanttaja

[MEdwards]

PBOR2 is more restrictive than the DOT had been asked to approve, too.

Ron, how do you know that? Have you read the FAA's proposal? My understanding is nobody was allowed to know what was in it until it was released after DOT approved it, which ever happened.
Mike E

[rwanttaja]

Ron, how do you know that? Have you read the FAA's proposal? My understanding is nobody was allowed to know what was in it until it was released after DOT approved it, which ever happened.
Mike E

The draft NPRM was RIN 2120-AK45, but all the links to it on the Government site seem to be outdated. IIRC, we were discussing the contents a year ago. It basically had what people wanted for the third class (e.g., not required for pleasure flying), and didn't include a lot of the goofy provisions that found their way into PBOR2.

Ron Wanttaja

[Bob H]

I fly out of a 7000' airport, L35, 100 mi outside Los Angeles. On weekends, we get many "flatlanders" flying up for vactions and just high altitude flying experience. We can almost guarantee that many times each summer, pilots will fly in and completely ignore basic rules of flying to an uncontrolled airport. They won't use radio, or use a non-working 20 yr old frequency, won't listen to AWOS for wind and runway direction, won't lean engine and will try to land opposite traffic direction with planes taking off. When approached on the ground and made aware of their mistakes, these pilots get very defensive and almost invariably, they are white haired old guys who have been flying for many years and will not accept any criticisim. Perhaps if they were required to keep getting 3rd class medicals, an AME might spot the diminishing cognitive skills and refuse their medical and keep such pilots from killing someone. I'm an old guy too but when my mental skills degrade and I can't pass a medical, I'll quit flying.

[JimRice85]

I'm an old guy too but when my mental skills degrade and I can't pass a medical, I'll quit flying.

That is what all those guys are saying too. Do you wanna turn-in your medical now and quit or go LSA?

Stereotyping sucks, huh?

[skyfixer8]

Not sure if this is where to bring up, but is anyone at EAA keeping track on PBOR2 ? Is Congress still on vacation or did I miss something ? Don t recall seeing anything about it on here or AOPA site since Senate approved it.

.....Bill L

[Jim Heffelfinger]

Several threads re this topic.
http://eaaforums.org/showthread.php?6392-Pbr-2