Medical Dereg Redux

In February’s issue, I used this space to discuss efforts to deregulate FAA requirements for some pilots to hold a medical certificate while serving as pilot in command. After the FAA failed to act on a 2012 petition from AOPA and EAA, the two organizations began working with interested members of Congress to develop appropriate legislation. That bill, H.R. 3708, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in December, and presently enjoys 93 cosponsors. On March 11, 2014, companion bill S. 2103, was introduced in the U.S. Senate. It has nine cosponsors.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

AOPA and EAA are pushing for the deregulation of FAA medical certificate requirements for private pilots, initially through an unanswered 2012 petition and now via actively supported congressional bills (H.R. 3708 and S. 2103).
Under increasing congressional pressure, the FAA announced a rulemaking process to expand medical exemptions, which the author views as a delaying tactic to avert the passage of new legislation.
The proposed legislation aims to significantly broaden “driver’s license medical” privileges for private pilots, building on the success of sport pilot certificates, and the author hopes Congress will proceed with these bills despite the FAA’s rulemaking announcement.

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Thanks to an outpouring of interest, the original 2012 petition garnered some 16,000 comments at the FAA, the vast majority of which were favorable. That petition basically would have extended so-called “driver’s license medical” privileges—similar to those enjoyed by sport pilots—to private pilots of slightly larger aircraft. After collecting comments, the FAA halted its public efforts.