What If?

[Wilfred]

What if the EAA/AOPA proposal to eliminate 3rd class medicals is approved - I let my 3rd class expire...no medical problems, just didn't need it to fly my ELSA. Now, with my voluntarily expired 3rd class if the EAA/AOPA proposal is approved will I be able to again do what I could have done previously? That is, could I fly above 10,000, night operation (properly equipped), etc, etc. or am I 'stuck' in the Sport Pilot limitations I now operate under with my PPL - I know there is no way to foretell what the FAA may/may not approve, but this notion of how folks in my situation might come out if the idea is approved is interesting to speculate about.

What is your guess? I know that right now nobody really knows how things will come out, but your guess might be interesting for some of us.

[Bob Dingley]

I'm guessing that That it will have about the same restrictions as Sport Pilot however you can do it in a four seater limited to two, lots of bags and your dog. Thats an improvement IMHO. I hope its approved. There is another way to go if you want more freedom. Look at the Glider rating with a self launch endorsement. They are called MotorGliders. There is a growing sector called touring motor gliders that give airplanes a run for their money. Some can be certified and equiped as either Glider or E-LSA depending on how you order it or build it. The prop makes the difference. A full feathering variable pitch beats a fixed pitch every time for t.o./climb/cruise.

As a glider pilot you can fly VFR over the top, at night and faster than 120KTS. (Careful, one well known M.G. just had its VNE knocked back to 80kts.) Gross weights go up to 1,700. You can cruise at 17,500 VFR. One motor glider has a cruising speed of 147 KTS with a 912ULS. In certain cases, you can get an IFR clearance. There is no Glider inst rating but an airplane rating can be used. 14 year old kids can solo a glider. 16 year olds can get a PPL. You don't need a medical or drivers license to fly a glider, you self certify. You still need to carry some kind of photo ID to back up your certificate. (Library card?) There is no FAR that says you ever have to shut down the engine unless you want to. Some are aerobatic. Some have retractable L.G.

The glider add on with self launch endorsement could be done in one day. For airplane pilots with more than forty hours, its 3 dual flights, 10 solo flights and 3 hours total time. Then the grueling check ride. No written. Thats off the top of my head w.o. reading the book, but its close. See AC-61-94. Good luck.

Bob

[Bob Dingley]

OOPS. AC 61-94 is for airplane with glider ratingl going for SL additional endorsement. For Airplane pilots wanting a glider rating see FAR 61.109 (f) (2). Same requirements.

[Joe LaMantia]

Nice idea for a thread!

Here's my 2 cents. The proposal doesn't "eliminate" the Third Class Medical it is a request to "waive" the requirement for Recreational pilots. So anybody with a Recreational license or above(PPL), could "self" certify by taking a FAA approved safety course. The Sport Pilot system doesn't require a course to self certify, but that might(?) change if this proposal is accepted as written. Now that Bob has let the cat out of the bag on motor gliders that could get "fixed" as well. Anyway, that's just a couple of thoughts that crossed my mind, hopefully we'll get some more posts with additional insights.

Joe
:cool:

[martymayes]

Did anyone attend the "alternate medical proposal" Airventure forum by Dr. C? What was the gist?

[Wilfred]

The EAA/AOPA proposal does NOT just waive the 3rd class medical for sport pilots alone. The entire proposal is available on both EAA and AOPA web sites and should be read in its entirety by all those interested.

The proposal, if approved, would allow a Private Pilot to fly a 180 HP fixed-gear aircraft that had up to 4 seats (two persons on board at max) VFR day only. The proposal has one aspect that rather surprised me: If approved a PPL pilot would be restricted to flying at 10,000-ft or 2,000-ft over terrain, which ever is higher. The proposal DOES NOT just apply, if approved, to sport pilots. Also visual reference to the ground would be required, so no 'over the top VFR'

[Joe LaMantia]

Wilfred,

Yes, it does specify 180HP limit VFR Day etc. It doesn't mention Sport Pilots at all it says "Recreational" flying that could imply that the Sport Pilot area would remain as it is, without the need for a educational course completion certificate within the last 24 months. If it passes as requested, then a whole bunch of us will take the course and save a lot of time and some $ and continue to fly alone or with one person at or below 10KMSL day-VFR. It doesn't help everybody flying every type of GA Aircraft, but it's a nice improvement for some of us. I don't think anybody has a crystal ball as to how this will shake out with the FAA, but this is a place to speculate.

Joe
:cool: