The current agenda for the GA medical reform is to remove the need to renew pilots' third class medicals. This is an amendment to the Pilots' Bill of Rights 2 and was proposed by Joe Manchin and John Boozman. In doing this, anyone who has had their third class medical in the last 10 years will never have to get another when and those who have not had one will only need to go once. The only time you will need another is if a specific health condition occurs. Aside from that, the pilot will be required to see their own personal doctor every 4 years to make a note in their log book. (Tennyson, 2015)
This reform is currently a bill. It first needs to get voted through the committee, then similar versions will pass on to the Senate and the House to be discussed and voted on. As of November 18, there are 69 cosponsors in the Senate and 150 in the House. (Tennyson, 2015) The differences of the two will then need to be worked out and agreed upon before it makes its way to the president.
I think the biggest positive outcome from this bill being passed is that it can open the skies back up to pilots who were previously grounded and will help keep general aviation in motion. It will also be nice to not have to find an AME, as they are not found everywhere (I had to drive at least an hour away). Obviously the biggest downside of this would be the safety aspect. Someone may not have one of the specific health condition to have to go to the AME, but could still not be able to pass a medical anymore and they still continue to fly.
I personally do not think that the medical reform is necessary, it isn't that bad having to go in and get a medical. However it would be nice to save a little time and money and it would help continue the growth of the industry.
Tennyson, E. (2015, November 28). Closer than ever. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/November/18/Closer-than-ever
Certain issues should make the need for a regular medical a requirement. Do you really want those with psychological issues in the sky with you? Sure, the chances are not great that you will run into them, but in the off-chance that you do, wouldn't you feel more comfortable knowing that you aren't running into someone that is about to snap? (I know the system isn't perfect, but lets lower the risks, right?)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you no change to the medical reform is needed. As you stated already it is nice to save some money yes, but it isn't bad to go in to get a medical. Especially since people can medical status can change.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. This is not a pressing issue from my perspective. Receiving a medical is relatively easy and should still be required.
ReplyDeleteNice job! Originally my thoughts were that GA medical reform was necessary but after reading some other blogs like yours, my views are somewhat shifting. I overlooked the value of safety when it comes to getting a medical. Maybe it's not so bad leaving things the way they are.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the biggest benefit of the reform is going to be found in areas outside of the medical aspect of the industry. Looking at things like the pilot shortage, this is just one more straw on the camel's back that prevents guys/gals from even getting started in flying. Maybe they couldn't pass a second or first class anyway for a commercial job, but they might not even try if the process for private is hard enough on it's own. Another thing to remember is drone and recreational sport pilots don't need third class medicals anyway, so as Chad brought up, those psychos could be out there in the airspace whether you like it or not, so why force the good guys to continually pay the bills each year without solving a security problem?
ReplyDeleteA third class medical is pretty easy to get, there are only a few dis qualifying conditions so I do not agree with the removal of the requirement.
ReplyDeleteI had never thought about the idea of people being required to travel to an AME. Some are not as fortunate enough to live in a close distance to one. Passing this bill will not only save money for pilots, but it sounds like it will also promote general aviation.
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