In the US I swear the main reason for a medical is to check on your illegal drug habits, driving record, and administrative clerical mistakes.
For instance have you ever had surgery? Have you been to your Doctor since your last medical? Arrested for a felony? Have you had a DWI? There might be a question about conviction just not sure. The point is if you screw up and answer falsely you can have your pilots licence revoked. Oh and dont forget to pee in the cup. I know they check for drugs when you do but whether they ck for blood, proteins, sugars Im not too certain. One would hope.
Im pretty health so really havent seen Drs except for ck ups and one rotator partial tear. But I know guys with a list of medical conditions not relating to sudden incapacitation who would be hard pressed to present a totally accurate picture of their medical history just because its so voluminous.
Now lets discuss whats really important Cardiac conditions as well as stroke probability intervention.
If we want to be really safe why is it the only guys who require an EKG are the guys who are flying with another pilot??
What about doing a stress test? Why stop there how about a nuclear stress test?
You get the picture just stay on the ground big brother will take care of you. “Soylent Green”
Archie, Dont ever try to understand control freaks.
It’s sad isn’t it. All in the name of “safety”. And it’s so funny. Australia now wanting to put CVD pilots back on the banned list after letting them fly as ATPL’s for decades. And the U.S. moving to get rid of the third class medical. Going the opposite ways!
I still wonder though what the FAA’s thoughts on it all are. It appears ominously silent at the FAA front…
At least the FAA (apparently) have it in their charter that they are actually to promote aviation as well. CASA doesn’t seem to care. Empty skies are safe skies….
Here’s a hint on what some at FAA or elsewhere in the Executive Branch may think… (from the Avweb article on the current bill)
“In an effort to force the FAA to comply in a timely fashion, there is also a provision to allow pilots to fly under the new rules 180 days after enactment if the agency fails to update its policies”
But FAA in principle does what it’s told by US lawmakers.
The 3rd class medical change is now in the US Senate and will likely pass and radically alter medical certification for GA pilots in the USA.
Medicals
Recurring visits to an aviation medical examiner (AME) would no longer be required.
Self-certify fitness to fly (like Sport Pilots)
Take an online aeromedical course biennially
Visit a doctor at least once every four years to include a checklist of items typical in an ordinary physical
Pilots who don’t yet have a medical or have had their medical lapse for more than 10 years would need a one-time visit to an AME.
Privileges
Pilots may fly VFR and IFR in aircraft under 6,000 pounds, with up to five passengers and up to FL180.
How does this change compare to what is done in Europe?
I’m assuming this is not ICAO compliant, right?
USFlyer wrote:
How does this change compare to what is done in Europe?
EASA has LAPL licences which have simpler medical (roughly similar to what you need to get driver’s licence). LAPL(A) allows you to pilot singles up to two tonnes. But that medical isn’t ICAO compliant. It’s actually the major difference between LAPL(S) and SPL, the latter has ICAO compliant medical (and is itself ICAO compliant), so it can be used outside of EASA-land (there are a few additional privileges, because of the “higher” medical).
How does this change compare to what is done in Europe?
The UK, after consultation, will probably go the whole hog and abolish medicals for the PPL and NPPL (applicable to Annex II aircraft), replacing it with self-assessment against driving licence standards.
The issue is a nascent one at EASA, and eyes have been patiently on the US to see what would emerge. The compromises in the bill are slightly disappointing, but the US example still sets a useful precedent for change. Don’t expect anything to happen in a hurry though – EASA’s rulemaking resource in FCL and Medical is stretched very thin at the moment.
Don’t expect the US move away from private pilot medicals to benefit visitors much – it seems that you will still to have a US (not foreign) driving licence, which is difficult for a visitor to obtain. Worse, flight schools and FBO’s will probably assume that no medical is required, and skip that step (if they do it now!) in the rental checkout process. So visitors may end up flying illegally believing ‘no medical required’.
You can get a FAA medical at many places in Europe. My doctorfor example does EASA and FAA medicals.
