Sport Pilot Talk

N918KT · Posted: Thu May 05, 2011 4:06 pm Post subject: How would the FAA know...

...if the applicant for a student SP certificate has been denied a medical?

I took a look over the Student Sport Pilot Certificate application form and in it, the form asks if the pilot has a medical and/or a driver's license and it asks the applicant to write down the medical number and/or DL number.

However, there is no question asking if a student SP has been denied a medical.

Jon V · Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 156 Location: Dallas...

They do keep records.

comperini · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 152 Location: California

I agree. They "do keep records". And if you think about it, the question "have you ever been denied a medical", isn't the important question, because even if a medical was denied at some point in your life, you can still fly... as long as your LAST medical was not denied.

from 14 CFR 61.303(b).

NCPilot · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 12:55 am Post subject:

I have a hypothetical question.

Hypothetically, let's say a person was never denied a 3rd class medical, and that person lets his current 3rd class lapse. That person then starts taking ADD meds (which are banned under FAA regs), would that person still be able to fly as a Sport Pilot?

Jack Tyler · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

NC:

The SP is not exempt from being medically qualified to fly. S/he's just exempt from one periodic medical exam when a medical professional may detect some of the reasons for medical disqualification. Your question is, in one major respect, the same whether the person holds a 3rd class medical or is 'self-certifying' as a SP - an 'inconvenient truth' that is overlooked when the SP license is often discussed.

Ironically, the SP license could be viewed as placing even more responsibility on a pilot re: one's medical condition. It's certainly not hard to imagine the PP who's got his newly reissued 3rd class ticket stuffed in his wallet and fails to reflect on those new meds his primary care physician just started prescribing.

bshort · Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 59 Location: Ca

If they keep records (like any other federal agency) you would be just fine. Problem is, when one posts it all over the internet in various forums with name and location attached kinda draws attention.

Jim Stewart · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 259

In addition to all the other good info, it's important to note that the whole FAA compliance system is largely voluntary. Nobody from the FAA comes around to check that your annual is current or that you've done 3 takeoffs and landings in the last 60 days or that you've not taken a drink in the last 8 hours. I've talked to several pilots that have never been ramp-checked, never had any interaction with FAA enforcement in many years of flying.

As much as pilots bitch about the FAA, this is close to an ideal system. Minimal intrusion on our freedoms with a fairly clear code of conduct. Trying to game the systems doesn't help anyone.

bryancobb · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 10:48 am Post subject: EggZackly!

Jim Stewart wrote: In addition to all the other good info, it's important to note that the whole FAA compliance system is largely voluntary. Nobody from the FAA comes around to check that your annual is current or that you've done 3 takeoffs and landings in the last 60 days or that you've not taken a drink in the last 8 hours. I've talked to several pilots that have never been ramp-checked, never had any interaction with FAA enforcement in many years of flying.

As much as pilots bitch about the FAA, this is close to an ideal system. Minimal intrusion on our freedoms with a fairly clear code of conduct. Trying to game the systems doesn't help anyone.

I knew a pilot who OWNED a SuperCub, had a hangar at the airport, he had no engine or airframe logbooks, and flew it for the 30+ years I knew him without ever having a pilot's license or medical. I lost track of him a few years ago when he went to Alaska to do aircraft interiors. Needless to say, he had to be careful not to piss the wrong person off, lest he be reported.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

bryancobb wrote: flew it for the 30+ years I knew him without ever having a pilot's license or medical.

Bryan, as a CFI, I know you're not condoning this (or recommending that others do the same)!

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

My CFI told me of a similar story of a guy that he ran into at some middle-of-nowhere airport with something along the same type of circumstances. Might have even been a SuperCub (or just a Cub) as well. The guy was a farmer or something along those lines and just "taught himself to fly" with his own plane.

As for me - I can not imagine not doing things the right way or trying to skirt the compliance around a license and support of the license. Knowing my luck the first time I'd be without all my proper papers that'd be the day a guy from the FAA was ordered to do ramp checks (thus he'd be in a bad mood in the first place) and I'd get really nailed.

I think our flying group does a pretty good job of self-correction as well. If any of us see one another out of compliance, it's a gentle correction...

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

My CFI told me of a similar story of a guy that he ran into at some middle-of-nowhere airport with something along the same type of circumstances. Might have even been a SuperCub (or just a Cub) as well. The guy was a farmer or something along those lines and just "taught himself to fly" with his own plane.

As for me - I can not imagine not doing things the right way or trying to skirt the compliance around a license and support of the license. Knowing my luck the first time I'd be without all my proper papers that'd be the day a guy from the FAA was ordered to do ramp checks (thus he'd be in a bad mood in the first place) and I'd get really nailed.

I think our flying group does a pretty good job of self-correction as well. If any of us see one another out of compliance, it's a gentle correction...

bryancobb · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: EggZackly!

drseti wrote: bryancobb wrote: flew it for the 30+ years I knew him without ever having a pilot's license or medical.

Bryan, as a CFI, I know you're not condoning this (or recommending that others do the same)!

Who am I...to condone or condemn? I'm JUST A CFI. A CFI is NOT an FAA representative! I'm just a person with skills...that the FAA says I can teach to others. Nowhere did I have to promise the FAA to be a member of their Police Force. An individual can do as he or she wishes and take the risks they choose, and unless I see something unsafe going on, I'm gonna mind my own business. E?? was a well-liked guy who was a much better and experienced pilot than most who "played by the rules." I never saw him do anything reckless or unsafe. Would I do it?...NOOOO. Would I encourage a student or friend of mine to?...NO.

He taught dozens of guys to fly taildraggers for free. Then they'd go get a CFI to sign them off.

I'm not praising his actions. I'm just stating facts. Did I "TATTLE" on him?...no. Would I?...no.

drseti · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 1390 Location: Lock Haven PA

bryancobb wrote: Did I "TATTLE" on him?...no. Would I?...no.

Nor should you. That's not what I'm advocating at all, Bryan. What I'm saying is that we CFIs have a responsibility not to play cop, but rather to encourage our students (by teaching and by example) to know, and abide by, the FARs.

bryancobb · Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: EggZackly!

drseti wrote: but rather to encourage our students (by teaching and by example) to know, and abide by, the FARs.

I DEFINITELY encourage my students to be rule-followers. I am a rule-follower. I take pride in knowing the rules and doing the best to abide.

I DO NOT, however, look down my nose at those who have no respect for rules, so long as they are safe and do not behave recklessly.

ibgarrett · Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 147 Location: Westminster, CO

My CFI told me of a similar story of a guy that he ran into at some middle-of-nowhere airport with something along the same type of circumstances. Might have even been a SuperCub (or just a Cub) as well. The guy was a farmer or something along those lines and just "taught himself to fly" with his own plane.

As for me - I can not imagine not doing things the right way or trying to skirt the compliance around a license and support of the license. Knowing my luck the first time I'd be without all my proper papers that'd be the day a guy from the FAA was ordered to do ramp checks (thus he'd be in a bad mood in the first place) and I'd get really nailed.

I think our flying group does a pretty good job of self-correction as well. If any of us see one another out of compliance, it's a gentle correction...