No Action on Third-Class Medical Reform Until Fall

Stephen Pope

Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 08:27 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Congress has delayed passing a highway spending bill, effectively postponing any vote on third-class medical reform until at least the fall, where it faces an uphill battle given other congressional priorities.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) opposes third-class medical reform, citing public safety concerns, and wants it discussed as part of the delayed FAA reauthorization.
Medical reform is likely to be overshadowed during FAA reauthorization by larger issues, particularly a Republican proposal to privatize Air Traffic Control (ATC), which airlines are pushing for.

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Congress has all but given up trying to pass a highway spending bill before starting its long summer break this weekend, quashing hopes of third-class medical reform coming up for a vote before the fall.

Even then, lawmakers who support expanding medical self-assessments from the Sport pilot ranks to most private pilots will face an uphill battle getting the provision approved given the mountain of work Congress must address by the end of the year and sweeping changes some want to see within the FAA.