AOPA, EAA Continue Push for Driver’s License Medicals

Stephen Pope

Thursday, March 01, 2012 at 10:09 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA rejected a 2009 petition, strongly backed by AOPA and EAA, to expand driver's license medicals to all pilots flying aircraft weighing 6,000 pounds or less.
The agency cited concerns that the 6,000-pound limit included complex aircraft, requiring extensive amendments to existing FAA certification, operational, and medical standards without sufficient safety evidence.
AOPA and EAA plan to submit a new petition proposing driver's license medicals for recreational pilots flying day VFR in single-engine aircraft under 180 horsepower, with four seats or fewer, fixed gear, and a maximum of one passenger, alongside online self-certification.

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The FAA has shot down a proposal that sought to expand driver’s license medicals to all pilots flying aircraft weighing 6,000 pounds or less – but that hasn’t stopped AOPA and EAA from continuing to push for the change.

The agency denied a 2009 petition calling for the switch that received more than 1,000 supportive comments. AOPA was among the strong backers of the rule rewrite, telling the FAA that it supported the “expansion of the eligible population and kinds of operations that can use a driver’s license medical or self-certification as is requested in this petition.” Currently, Sport Pilots can fly with a driver’s license in lieu of a medical certificate.