Its been more than six years since the FAA established the sport pilot certificate. Along with the rules on what a sport pilot can and cannot do, there was something noticeably missing: Any requirement for a sport pilot to obtain or hold an FAA medical certificate, as long as he or she has a U.S. drivers license (and 288
Do We Really Need The Third-Class Medical?
Its been more than six years since the FAA established the sport pilot certificate. Along with the rules on what a sport pilot can and cannot do, there was something noticeably missing: Any requirement for a sport pilot to obtain or hold an FAA medical certificate, as long as he or she has a U.S. drivers license (and had not been denied a medical). At the same time, the new rules allowed anyone with a higher certificate to fly a light sport aircraft without a current medical but with a current drivers license.
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA's sport pilot certificate, established over six years ago, allows pilots to fly without an FAA medical certificate, relying instead on a U.S. driver's license.
- Extensive searches of accident databases have found no instances of sport pilot accidents or incidents caused by medical incapacitation during this period.
- The article suggests that a driver's license serves as a good indicator of pilot fitness and advocates for supporting a petition to eliminate third-class medical requirements for a broader range of general aviation pilots.
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