The Civil Aviation Medical Association (CAMA), the professional organization for Aviation Medical Examiners who provide medical certification exams to the nation’s pilots, has joined the consensus against the FAA’s new sleep apnea policy. In a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, CAMA objected to the new FAA policy for a variety of professional reasons, most […]
Medical
Proposed sleep apnea policy leads to new Congressional bill
A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would require the FAA to go through the rulemaking process before implementing new policies regarding sleep disorders. The bill was created in response to a surprise FAA policy change that would require pilots with a body mass index (BMI) over 40 to be […]
A ‘baaad’ rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This could be the beginning of something big: The FAA has followed recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and announced a program to check the weight of pilots in order to produce safer flight. The announced reason is that overweight people have a tendency to be more liable to suffer sleep […]
AOPA insists FAA withdraw new sleep disorder policy
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) on Wednesday sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta insisting that the FAA withdraw its new policy on obstructive sleep apnea or go through the rulemaking process. “We believe this policy inappropriately bypasses the rulemaking process; overlooks potentially more effective and efficient solutions; provides no clear safety […]
BMI could trigger additional scrutiny with proposed policy
The FAA is targeting pilots (and controllers) with a “proposed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) policy.” Pilots and controllers with a Body Mass Index (calculate yours here) with 40 and higher, will be the initial target. Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton wrote in recent medical bulletin those pilots “will have to be evaluated by a physician who […]
Advent of cold and flu season a reminder for drug-impairment awareness
As cold and flu season progresses, an open letter to pilots, stressing the contribution of common medications to some fatal loss-of-control aviation accidents, is getting renewed attention, according to officials with the National Business Aviation Association. First distributed over the summer, the letter was signed by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, NBAA President and CEO Ed […]
EAA offers members help with special issuances
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — Pilots who need medical certification special issuances can now get assistance through a new program from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). EAA has teamed with AirDocs, an aeromedical consulting firm specializing in streamlining Special Issuance applications for FAA medical certificates, to offer a 10% discount. AirDocs, one of several […]
New research finds hypoxia can be detected before symptoms apparent
A team of Mayo Clinic researchers have found that hypoxia can be detected before incapacitating physical symptoms, which can be a safety threat at high altitudes. “This study opens the door for objective assessments of hypoxia and additional safeguards for…pilots and others working in high altitudes,” says Jan Stepanek, M.D., the Aerospace Medicine Program Director […]
Old Coot pilots come up with ideas for a new medical
Guest Editorial By John Christensen I recently attended my 50th high school reunion. I had a wonderful time reminiscing with classmates. As one would expect, the rather large crowd quickly organized itself into small groups, according to interests, past and present. I found myself embedded in a pod of old coot pilots. After the hangar stories, […]