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Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:03 am
by N918KT
https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/C ... 817-1.html

After a fatal balloon accident that killed 16 people, Congress now want balloon pilots to have FAA medicals even private balloon pilots!

My question is that if the bill became law for balloon pilots to require medicals, will the demand for medicals spread to other flight operations that don't require medicals like sport pilot and gliders? I can't help but feel it is a "camel's nose under the tent" scenario. And what is AOPA's take on this? Why are they not fighting this regulation?

Re: Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:46 am
by TimTaylor
Who knows, probably not. However, I would not object to requiring a medical for anyone who is flying with 16 people on board.

Re: Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:31 am
by 3Dreaming
A person like the PIC in that accident would likely not be able to get a medical because of his past. That might have kept him from flying. That being said, What good is a new regulation for someone who doesn't follow the regulations anyway. He was in clear violation of CFR 91.17, and that didn't stop him from flying.

Re: Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 5:40 am
by Jim Hardin
NTSB report in proof that you can't regulate poor decisions!

Re: Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 4:32 pm
by HAPPYDAN
Pardon me if I (against better judgment) sound off regarding the current state of national legislative affairs. Why do I get the feeling Capitol Hill is determined to fix things that are not broken? Our beloved country has plenty of stuff that needs attention and solutions. Is this another smokescreen to fool us (We The People...) into believing they are actually doing something to earn those outrageous salaries and benefits? OK, now hit me.

Re: Congress wants Balloon Pilots to have Medicals - Will it affect sport pilot and gliders too?

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 11:48 am
by Tee Jay
I agree and thaks for having common sense . Way too much regulation in all the wrong places , and you can bet there will be a profit in in it for someone on the hill. Tee JAY my 2 cents .