The Experimental Aircraft Association and other general aviation groups have fired back at an inflammatory letter sent by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) to all U.S. senators that “made numerous false and unsubstantiated claims regarding the efforts to expand freedoms in general aviation and reform aeromedical certification,” according to EAA officials.
The letter urged the senate to reject an amendment to a transportation bill offered by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Arkansas) that would reform the third class medical certification for pilots.
It was the first time ALPA had expressed any position regarding the bipartisan congressional effort that EAA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) had spearheaded for the past four years.
“ALPA surprisingly claims in its letter that it has been working with stakeholders to find solutions, but it has never uttered one word to any of the general aviation groups that have been doing the heavy lifting on this measure to bring long-overdue reform to aeromedical certification,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA chairman of the board. “It isn’t about safety, as ALPA claims, as much as scoring political points. Current and past ALPA members who also fly recreationally should be angered that their union has decided to turn its back on general aviation.”
Pelton continued that not only has ALPA never reached out to those working on this issue, they are completely out of step with the two other air carrier unions. The Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association and Allied Pilots Association have been working with the GA community on this issue, including endorsement of an industry-wide letter of support for the Manchin-Boozman Amendment.
“The rhetoric from ALPA is most disappointing and utterly out of step with the rest of the general aviation and airline pilot community,” Pelton added. “Why it would turn its back on the community that inspires, supplies and trains its professional aviators is baffling, especially when the vast majority of statistics and opinions by safety professionals, regulators, and other pilots agree that ALPA’s position has no basis and makes no sense. It’s especially shortsighted when one considers that the health of GA is directly connected to the health of the airline pilot community.”
EAA and AOPA have been working to create a third class aeromedical exemption proposal that resulted in draft FAA rulemaking – currently stalled in the Department of Transportation – and by urging their members to support the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 developed by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) and now the Manchin-Boozman Amendment to the transportation bill in the Senate.
“For 25 years, EAA has supported aeromedical reform because the safety facts support it and it will eliminate financial and other burdens to GA pilots,” Pelton said. “This is as far as we’ve ever advanced, with 55 co-sponsors to bring the amendment to Senate floor. We need all EAA members and GA pilots to contact their senators now to support this amendment and turn aside the falsehoods and political rhetoric from groups such as ALPA. Further, GA pilots who are current and past ALPA members need to stand up and tell their union that it is wrong based on facts and the views of the rest of the general aviation and professional pilot communities.”
The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, which is also the language used in the Manchin-Boozman amendment, currently has 55 co-sponsors, just five short of the number needed to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.
Alpa is out of touch with its members, has been for years. I say this having been a member for 30 plus years. Their national leaders are trying to divert attention away from the fact that their two largest airlines, Delta and United, are actively seeking alternatives to the bloated bureaucracy of Alpa. Hence, the letter concerning an issue they have heretofore not given of their precious time discussing.
I am surprised that more isn’t being heard from the Sport Plane manufacturers as they have the most to lose. If and when the Third Class medical is eliminated most pilots affected will choose to fly something less restrictive than Sport aircraft. $150,000 can buy a quality 4 place or if money is not an issue some light twins will be available. It is likely most pilots thought that a Sport aircraft would be a lot less expensive.
let go back to the age 60 rule
When your are young & healthy I can see you thinking this way, but I gut my certificate when I retired. I had a couple of medical problems that should have not have caused any problems. I had a medical student with the same problems several years earlier, but I dropped out. So I did not think this would be a problem. My medical was held up about 3 of for months. I went to the AOPA & they helped me receive my medical.
So when you leave your flying job at 65 how will you keep flying if you have a medical problem. Do you know if you will keep that certificate. Do you that pilots ranks have been dwelled by about 1/2 million. Manly because of not being able to get you certificate problems. Just think us older pilots have
been were you are now But you will be were we are now in twenty years!
According to the ALPA website, current ALPA President Tim Canoll was elected to his job by the ALPA board of directors. My guess is his position on medical reform is counter to that of most ALPA members. Maybe they should start allowing the ALPA members to vote for their President instead of just the board of directors.
Tim Canoll, ALPA president, is a stone cold idiot! Typical of overpaid politicians that infect the major unions. Many of my friends at ALPA DO NOT support Canoll’s position. Another fine product of Annapolis.
It’s all about the money. Does the FAA report to the IRS how many times an AME does a Physical????
I propose a Breathalyzer test before every flight, or random drug tests.
Please don’t give them any ideas!
Another at one time good union hijacked by their crooked leaders. I hope that the members, most likely all of them General Aviation pilots at one time, especially when learning their trade, will stand up and straighten this out.
unless they are all braindead from “flying” fully automated planes which fly themselves.
Like my buddy and I used to say when we were student pilots and no one seemed to care what we were trying to accomplish….”I got mine!”
This “professional” pilot group should show their support for the field…not sticking to the old ways that are killing it.
I don’t believe the ALPA opinion is that of the majority of their members. At least the one’s I know. I heard the ALPA has become a very political organization in the wrong direction. They couldn’t close Regan National which is what was wanted by the membership. Like most of Washingtion they have become ‘brain dead”. Let’s all get together and get this 3rd Class physical resolved one way or the other. When was the last time you were ramp checked. Many are flying without physcals now. LSA.
Very very dangerous comment asking when was the last time you were ramp checked! Why antagonize a 900 pound gorilla (the Feds) when they’ve also got a practically unlimited budget! If you’re a 150 lb. man you probably wouldn’t pick a fight with a 280 lb. linebacker. While I agree with your sentiments, we must realize they can do anything they want including ramp checks all over the place all day. My medical expired, so I temporarily have bought an LSA. It’s still flying!
Does anyone have ALPA’s e mail address so we could give them a piece of our
minds?
It is amazing that you cannot contact ALPA on their website unless you are a member. Yet, they can contact anyone they want. Like the letter they sent to all the members of Congress regarding medical reform at the last minute.
Very ONE-SIDED and no fair play.
Thanks ALPA.