In a story posted on AOPA.org, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports that FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has formally responded to a request for an update on the status of the association’s third-class medical petition. In a Dec. 26 letter, Huerta apologized for the delay in taking action on the petition, saying it was important […]
Medical
FAA to delay sleep apnea policy
The Experimental Aircraft Association is reporting that the chairman of its Aeromedical Advisory Council, Dr. Stephen Leonard, learned from the FAA Thursday, Dec. 19, that the agency will delay implementation of its new sleep apnea policy planned for next month in order to gather additional input from the aviation and medical community. The new policy, […]
GA Pilot Protection Act good for growing pilot population
A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, has the potential to significantly lower one of the barriers for prospective pilots, according to officials with the Helicopter Association International. The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act (H.R. 3708), introduced by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and […]
One pilot’s experience with an apnea diagnosis
Mike, a Chicago area pilot, shares his experiences with apnea on his blog, as well as his thoughts about what the new proposal means: “As a pilot with apnea I thought it time to share my experiences and weigh in on the long-term FAA requirements that come from an apnea diagnosis. I’m against this proposal, […]
Proposed legislation would cut 3rd class medical requirement for many GA pilots
Reps. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) have introduced a bill in the U.S. House that seeks to abolish the third-class medical certificate for many pilots who fly recreationally. The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013, co-sponsored by Reps. Bill Flores (R-Texas), Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), and Richard Hanna (R-NY), would […]
AMEs object to FAA Sleep Apnea Policy
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 […]
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 […]