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3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 5:39 pm
by CTLSi
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 5:43 pm
by MovingOn
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:24 pm
by BrianL99
CTLSi wrote:The NTSB has been given the FAA proposal on changing the 3rd class medical requirement for pilots who today self-certify their medical fitness to fly under Sport Pilot certification using a Drivers License to substitute for an AME examination. http://tinyurl.com/ldmssn3

Looks like its already running into trouble...

Christopher Hart, the acting head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told congress last week he is "very concerned about pilots flying without adequate medical standards," pronouncing before a House subcommittee that doing away with the 3rd class medical, among other worrying things, would make pilots less likely "to pay attention to the FAA's list of prohibited drugs."

Appointed officials are harder to influence than the congressmen AOPA can influence with their $1,000,000+ worth of contributions over the last few years.

Congress is beholding to their donors and supporters, appointed officials have public safety to consider.

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:31 pm
by Wm.Ince
CTLSi wrote: . . . "appointed officials have public safety to consider." . . .
I see.
Like for instance . . . AG Eric Holder?

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:33 pm
by MovingOn
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 8:22 pm
by Merlinspop
The FAA is not bound to follow NTSB recommendations and often does not.

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 8:47 pm
by FastEddieB
If and when a certain someone begins to have medical problems and possible issues with getting a medical...

...there's a cool German word to consider:

Schadenfreude

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 8:55 pm
by drseti
Harm joy?

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:07 pm
by MovingOn
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:19 am
by snaproll
I prefer "Illegitimi Non Carborndum" myself.. As for the subject matter, It aint over till the fat lady sings.. The FAA, NTSB, and DOT will spend several months reviewing, whittling down, and coming up with a compromise based on their experts.. Based on history and politics, I expect an approval with a lower weight limit and lower HP limit than proposed, along with a requirement to consult a physician (non-ME) for any limiting conditions. Just my opinion...

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 12:47 am
by MovingOn
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:11 am
by MrMorden
The NTSB and FAA have a somewhat...uh..."adversarial" relationship.

Typically, NTSB makes some overly restrictive recommendation, and the FAA promptly ignores it. In return, whenever speaking before Congress, NTSB tells them that the FAA's safety measures are inadequate at best. NTSB makes FAA look like a bunch of lawless cowboys. If NTSB had their way, we'd all be flying airplanes made entirely of airbags and bubble wrap, with a top speed no greater than 15 knots and flying no higher than ten feet off the ground.

Luckily, FAA is in charge of aviation; NTSB's only aviation function is to investigate when an aircraft gets severely bent. Their recommendations mean exactly nothing in the regulatory scheme of things.

I'm not particularly worried about this development.

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 10:02 am
by CTLSi
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Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 10:38 am
by MrMorden
CTLSi wrote:The FAA handed their work to the NTSB - the NTSB didn't ask for it. If they are adversaries then why if the FAA sharing?

Rather than hope, beg, wish, whine and get anxious over this, let's ask the obvious...what is the upside for the FAA to relax the rules?

If there is one trend in big government lately, it's more control, not less....
They always ask for input from the NTSB and other agencies before issuing new proposed rules. If the rule involved changes to radio comms, the FCC would have been consulted. Since this is a medical issue, I would not be surprised if HHS, FDA, and CDC were asked to review the policy.

What is the upside? Less money spent by the agency on medical certification, that could be put into upgrades to airports, NextGen airspace upgrades, and other priorities. And they get to do it on their terms instead of Congress ramming it down their throats, which would be the next move if they drop the ball. They also get back some respect from the pilot community, which often regards the FAA with contempt and ridicule -- willing partners are better than adversaries to them.

I agree government control has gone mostly one way lately...but there is much more push back on that recently by Congress and the citizenry, and that tide might be turning in some limited areas.

Re: 3rd Class Medical Change Dead?

Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:04 am
by drseti
MrMorden wrote: If NTSB had their way, we'd all be flying airplanes made entirely of airbags and bubble wrap
<cynacism>
No, if NTSB had their way, none of us would be flying at all. That way, they could point proudly to the zero aviation accident rate, pat themselves on the back for a job well done, and ask Congress for money so they could keep doing it.
</cynacism>