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 sport pilot certificate, established over six years ago, allows pilots to fly with a U.S. driver's license instead of an FAA medical certificate.
• Despite hundreds of sport pilot accidents, none have been attributed to pilot medical incapacitation, challenging the perceived necessity of a specific aviation medical certificate for this group.
• The article concludes that a driver's license serves as an effective and inexpensive indicator of pilot fitness and advocates for a petition to eliminate the third-class medical requirement for pilots operating aircraft up to 6000 pounds under Part 91.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.