The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed H.R. 3578 to ensure the FAA conducts an open rulemaking process before making changes to medical certification requirements for pilots with sleep disorders.
“Today’s overwhelming vote sends a clear signal that a top priority of the House is the safety of our skies,” said House Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (NJ). “As the FAA continues to evaluate further health restrictions and safety guidelines to those who manage and operate in the national air space, it must do so via open rulemaking and while considering all viewpoints, including those of medical experts.”
“When it comes to flying, safety is my top priority,” Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA) said. “The House spoke clearly today that the FAA needs to address the issue of sleep apnea in an open and transparent way that lets all stakeholders and safety experts provide input. I thank Chairman LoBiondo for his leadership on this issue and I look forward to working with the FAA, pilots, airlines and others to continue making flying safer.”
Current FAA requirements dictate a pilot or air traffic controller diagnosed with sleep apnea to report their condition and seek treatment. The Aviation Medical Examiners Guide – a comprehensive document detailing the FAA’s medical certification regulations, dispositions, and protocols – includes an established process that provides the FAA with the authority to issue or re-issue an airman medical certificate to an applicant that is diagnosed with sleep apnea. After a review process, the FAA ultimately decides whether or not to issue a medical certificate.
In November 2013, the FAA announced a proposal to significantly – and arbitrarily – modify medical requirements for airmen who might be at risk of having a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea, even in the absence of any clinical evidence. The FAA’s proposal would effectively assume overweight pilots have a sleep disorder based solely on their body mass index (BMI) and subject them to potentially expensive testing and evaluation. The FAA also indicated their intention to eventually broaden this policy to apply to air traffic controllers and possibly to pilots with a lower BMI. The LoBiondo-Larsen legislation approved today does not prohibit the FAA from implementing new medical certification requirements for sleep apnea. It does, however, require the agency to conduct an open rulemaking process if they choose to propose new sleep disorder requirements.
Come on, Congress! Get that bill through House and Senate, and get it under the pen in the Oval Office.
Imagine how much money the FAA can put to better use when they don’t have to administer medical stuff for most GA pilots!
I am a private pilot who has been diagnosed with and now treat obstructive sleep apnea. Every time I fly I first ask myself whether I am fit to fly and act accordingly. The FAA bureaucrats have nothing to do with my decision, nor should they. And if, as we hope, the FAA finally allows my drivers license to replace the third-class medical, I will still ask myself the same pre-flight question: Am I fit to fly? In my opinion, the FAA should spend its efforts on fighting “obstructive bureaucracy”.
When is the FAA going to get off their beaucratic ass and act on the third class medical proposal. Seems you never get in trouble doing nothing. Come on Mr Administrator make a decesion.