The exemption request filed by EAA and AOPA earlier this month pertaining to third-class medical certificates has been officially posted by the federal government, making it possible for the public to submit comments on the proposal.
The request, officially named “Petition of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and Experimental Aircraft Association for an exemption from 14 CFT Part 61,” is available at Regulations.gov under Docket FAA-2012-0350.
Public comments are accepted online through the website. AOPA and EAA have also issued a guide to assist aviators when making their comments on the exemption.
Currently, FAA regulations require all pilots to hold at least a third-class medical certificate to exercise the privileges of a private or recreational certificate. EAA and AOPA are asking the FAA for an exemption to that rule, which would give pilots who fly recreationally the option of getting a third-class medical or, instead, participating in a recurrent online education program that will teach them how to self-assess their fitness to fly.
The education program will cover aeromedical factors and exceed the training presently mandated by the FAA. Participating pilots would also be required to hold a valid driver’s license and conduct a meaningful self-assessment prior to flight. The self-assessment required in the exemption will be similar to what pilots do now between AME visits. The difference is that pilots will have a higher level of knowledge to do the self-assessment after completion of the required education program, officials said.
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