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AOPA and EAA Propose Exemptions from Class 3 Medical for Some Pilots

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Vigilant1

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I've heard about this proposal for quite some time, now it looks like it has been formally submitted to the FAA.

Here's a link to the full article at the AOPA web site: AOPA, EAA file medical exemption petition

Small bits from the article:
AOPA and EAA on March 20 filed a petition for exemption asking the FAA to extend to all pilots flying recreationally the freedom to fly, in certain circumstances, utilizing the knowledge gained by taking an annual education course to assist them with making an assessment of their fitness to fly in lieu of requiring a medical certificate.




The petition for exemption, developed in close coordination between the organizations and the hundreds of thousands of pilots they represent, asks the FAA to allow pilots to operate noncommercial flights under day VFR in single-engine aircraft with 180 horsepower or less, four seats or fewer, fixed gear, and with a maximum of one passenger (among other parameters laid out in the request). The medical standard would be similar to the standard sport pilots have used safely for seven years and counting but would leverage the addition of an educational course, and would allow many pilots to continue to operate aircraft with which they are most familiar.
Both organizations believe the exemption would increase safety, reduce costs, and help stem the decline of the pilot population.

The petition for exemption seeks creation of a medical safety educational course that would be developed by the AOPA Foundation’s Air Safety Institute and available online, free of charge.
. . .The petition for exemption legally applies to members of AOPA and EAA, though the organizations noted in the petition that there would be no objection to the FAA extending such privileges to nonmember pilots. . .

It is unknown how long the FAA will require to review the request, and both organizations will work closely to support it.

I'd favor this approach. I also think it would decrease sales of LSA designs quite a bit.

Mark W.
 
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