ALPA Moves To Block Medical Reform Bill

Stephen Pope

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 09:12 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Third-class medical reform, the "Pilots' Bill of Rights 2," is facing an eleventh-hour obstruction campaign from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as it nears a potential legislative vote.
ALPA expresses "grave concerns" about "medically unfit pilots" sharing airspace and opposes the reform being attached to a highway bill, preferring it be part of broader FAA reauthorization discussions.
General aviation groups like AOPA and EAA are strongly advocating for the reform and are "fuming" at ALPA's sudden opposition, urging members to contact Congress before a July 31 deadline.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Just when it appeared third-class medical reform might finally be within legislative reach, airline pilots have held up their hands to say not so fast.

The Air Line Pilots Association is staging an 11th-hour p.r. campaign aimed at derailing the key provisions of the Pilots’ Bill of Rights 2, legislation aimed at eliminating third-class medicals for most private pilots in favor of self-health assessments.