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 have been advocating for the deregulation of FAA medical certificate requirements for private pilots, initially through a 2012 petition and later by supporting Congressional bills (H.R. 3708, S. 2103) after the FAA's inaction.
After significant Congressional interest and support for these bills, the FAA suddenly announced in April 2014 that it would initiate a rulemaking process to address expanding medical certificate exemptions.
The author interprets the FAA's sudden rulemaking announcement as a "delaying tactic" intended to prevent Congress from passing the legislation, citing the lengthy nature of FAA rulemaking processes.
The article urges Congress to ignore the FAA's perceived stall and proceed with passing the legislative bills, as they offer broader deregulation than the original petition or the FAA's proposed rulemaking.

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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.