It’s hard to imagine that general aviation has a better friend in government than Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma).
An active pilot for 60 of his 80 years, Inhofe is truly “one of us” and at this year’s AirVenture, as in the past 36 consecutive years, he camped in the North 40 at his usual spot near Runway 9-27.
Among the last active pilots in the Senate, Inhofe owns several GA airplanes, including a Grumman Tiger, a Van’s RV-8, a Harmon Rocket, and a Cessna 340. When age was raised as an issue by opponents during his last campaign, Inhofe rebutted, “When I’m too old to fly upside down, I’ll be too old to serve in the Senate.”
As author of the original Pilot’s Bill of Rights passed in 2012, Inhofe secured important protections for private pilots. Now he’s working hard to pass a follow-on bill that includes reforming the third class medical.
“The first Pilot’s Bill of Rights was a victory for the aviation community and made possible by the support of pilots and industry leaders across the nation,” said Inhofe. “Since being signed into law, more issues facing the general aviation community have surfaced.”
In conjunction with Inhofe, Senators Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) planned to attach the second Pilot’s Bill of Rights as an amendment to a Highway Bill that was “must pass” legislation before the current August recess. However, they were foiled when the House, in its haste to adjourn and leave town, passed a short-term extension of the current highway bill.
Under the proposed law, pilots flying recreationally in a wide range of aircraft would no longer need to obtain a third class medical certificate. The new bill would allow private pilots to make non-commercial VFR and IFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with up to six seats. Pilots also would be allowed to carry up to five passengers, fly at altitudes below 14,000 feet msl, and fly no faster than 250 knots.
Inhofe added that medical self-certification incentivizes pilots to seek treatment for conditions that previously might go untreated because of the FAA’s current reporting rules.
There is still hope that the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 will resurface in the fall. Inhofe urges all pilots to contact their representatives to ask for support of the legislation.
Neither US Senator for Washington State nor the US Rep with major aviation interests will respond to any requests concerning signing on or for reasons not to do so.
Neither of Washington State US Senators nor the U.S. Rep for the district with major A/C interests will either sign on or say why they decline. Waiting for the next town halls for 2016 elections.
Amen to what Cardinal pilot said about not response or reaction from Ted Cruz. Won’t get my vote ever.
Let’s keep the pressure up. We don’t have a chance of getting this done if we have the attitude of Tigerpilot.
A flying Texan.
Yup, the AOPA tried to borrow an idea that the NRA has used for years – find a ” the sky is falling” subject as a reason to solicit memberships and donations! It may work in the short term, but if you don’t produce results, your support will vanish.
That being said, there is nothing better that I would have to do in having to eat my words!
Ted Cruz (R-TX) has not signed on as a Co-Sponsor, very disappointing! I’ve spent literally thousands of dollars this year in unnecessary procedures and tests just to keep my third class medical. If Ted does not get on board soon, there is no way he’ll get my vote in the primary! I’m so grateful that GA has a leader like Inhofe in our corner. I hope he and other like minded legislators can achieve passage of PBOR2.
Three-Four YEARS this issue has been ongoing!!! If it doesn’t become reality, [this year] I’ve paid my last A.O.P.A. membership fee!!! .If they are so impotent they can get this done,why belong?
I agree with the McCain comment i also have sent him three letters with no comment from the Slug
1+ The slug McCain could care less about GA. No response after two letters.
Attach amendment to transportation bill, to keep fuel taxes funding general aviation, not user fees. The administration and handling of user fees would cut into and reduce revenues. Definitely remove third class medical requirements to increase and enhance GA interest and activity, thereby saving GA for our future generations with more activity and reducing the cost of flying to create more interest, with reduced costs.
I wish Inhofe would slap Senator John McCain.
To my knowledge, McCain is not on board with support yet.
I personally have sent him 3 requests over the past year to support the bill, and he hasn’t even given me the courtesy of a response. This dinosaur of a senator won’t even respond with a “nay”. He is just non committal and unreachable.
I have even told Arizona Senator Jeff Flake who HAS supported the bill that McCain has been non responsive in reporting his stand in the hope that Flake could wake him up.
That being said, and as another example of McCain’s apathy, when user fees surfaced, McCain refused to allow the president of AOPA to enter the room where presentations were being made regarding user fees. This is a clear indication that this former fighter pilot is not a pilot’s pilot and doesn’t give a damn about general aviation. It’s his way or the highway and those that disagree with him are not even given the chance to participate in proceedings.
The old man is tired, ignores the issues he wishes to ignore, does not correspond with his voters unless he is asking for our votes, and needs to retire.
Guess what I will say to him the next time he asks for my vote? I would state it here, but this forum does not permit profanity.
I fully agree. McCain is no longer helping the people or the pilots. Time for him to go home and stay there.
I got my wings in the Air Force, flying now close to 60 years. I love flying so much, that I would never admit any discomfort or medical issue on any medical check up. I know it is not right, but I believe many pilots are like myself. Nobody wants to loose their pilot license. No matter what, no medical can predict future health of any pilot. We should get rid of medicals altogether. The pilots are responsible to know when they can fly and when they are not fit. I believe, they will look after themselves more responsibly.
More wishful thinking. With ALPA and the AME’s fighting the case Inhofe doesn’t have a chance. It is simply not going to happen-get used to it. It’s the last thread that AOPA has to try and slow the number of pilots departing that organization, not to mention the EAA who have also accomplished zero on the issue.
Well ~~~~~~ gloom and doom sure won’t get us there!
How ’bout asking Inhofe to talk to his compatriot Rep. Schuster about not implementing USER FEES? Schuster just tried to put User Fees on the congressional schedule for a vote.
What is our “great friend of GA” ? Doing about it? Nothing.
How do you know he didn’t talk with Schuster? Perhaps Schuster doesn’t like Inhofe and told him to pack sand…maybe it was Inhofe that was able to block the vote?