Currently the GA medical reform is slowly but surely moving
closer to becoming a law. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation has reviewed the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2, and passed an
amendment offered by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), bringing third class medical
reform one step closer to reality (4. Tennyson, 2015).
The reform is currently a bill in terms of legislation, once it passes the
committee, the legislation will go to the full Senate, where it has 69
cosponsors (3. Tennyson, 2015). At this point it is very close to becoming a
law, although it would help if it had more cosponsors.
The proposed third-class medical reforms could save pilots more
than $20 million each year and save the FAA approximately $2.5 million each
year (2. Grady, 2015). The is no question that this reform will save pilots and
the FAA millions, which is one of the huge advantages for this becoming a law. ALPA
cited concerns over safety if the bill, which would allow GA pilots to
self-certify under most circumstances, were to pass (1. Grady, 2015). There
will always be a question of whether or not a pilot is fit for flight. Without
routine check-ups on GA pilots to maintain a third class medical it will make
them more susceptible to dangerous flying conditions. Personally, I think that
ALPA has every right to be against this bill because they are flying in the same
skies as GA pilots.
I honestly don’t feel that the reform is necessary, pilots have
been doing fine with how the medical system works in the past. I wouldn’t feel
safe with other pilots in the air with psychological restrictions to flying and
only needing to see a doctor for a check-up every four years. With regards to
cost, if you are in a position to get a pilot license then the cost of a
medical exam is not a factor.
References
1. Grady,
M. (2015, July 25). ALPA opposes GA medical-reform
effort. AvWeb. Retrieved from http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/ALPA-Opposes-GA-Medical-Reform-Effort-224552-1.html
2. Grady, M. (2015, November 18). GA advocates push for medical reform in congress. AvWeb. Retrieved from http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GA-Advocates-Push-For-Medical-Reform-In-Congress-225217-1.html
3. Tennyson, E. A. (2015, November 18). Closer
than ever. Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/November/18/Closer-than-ever
4. Tennyson, E. A. (2015, November 18). Committee
passes manchin amendment to pilot's bill of rights 2. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/November/18/Committee-passes-Manchin-amendment-to-PBR2
**I
incorporated the numbers in with my references to better navigate where I have
used the references in my blog post. Since most of the authors are the same
with different works at different times.
What about those of us who are trying to get cleared, but regardless of meeting every requirement that is asked of us, we still cannot get cleared? Would that not be a reason to make some changes to the system? Psychological issues are one thing, but when there are changes that can be made such as stopping a banned medication, or undergoing all required consults and appointments and being cleared by medical professionals, that should clear the road for those of us in the situation to pass our medical.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, the current system is set in place to ensure the safety of the pilot. The medical reform is way too lenient in terms of no longer requiring a renewed medical. If they want a reform they should extend the third class medical duration for individuals over 40 years old to 60 calendar months instead of 24.
DeleteI think that the reform is necessary as the vast majority of pilots pass their medical. I think that not changing the reform due to a tiny fraction of pilots with a psychological issue is not fair to the rest of the pilots, causing an expense and a waste of time.
ReplyDelete