The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) on Wednesday sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta insisting that the FAA withdraw its new policy on obstructive sleep apnea or go through the rulemaking process. “We believe this policy inappropriately bypasses the rulemaking process; overlooks potentially more effective and efficient solutions; provides no clear safety […]
Medical
BMI could trigger additional scrutiny with proposed policy
The FAA is targeting pilots (and controllers) with a “proposed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) policy.” Pilots and controllers with a Body Mass Index (calculate yours here) with 40 and higher, will be the initial target. Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton wrote in recent medical bulletin those pilots “will have to be evaluated by a physician who […]
Advent of cold and flu season a reminder for drug-impairment awareness
As cold and flu season progresses, an open letter to pilots, stressing the contribution of common medications to some fatal loss-of-control aviation accidents, is getting renewed attention, according to officials with the National Business Aviation Association. First distributed over the summer, the letter was signed by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, NBAA President and CEO Ed […]
EAA offers members help with special issuances
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — Pilots who need medical certification special issuances can now get assistance through a new program from the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). EAA has teamed with AirDocs, an aeromedical consulting firm specializing in streamlining Special Issuance applications for FAA medical certificates, to offer a 10% discount. AirDocs, one of several […]
New research finds hypoxia can be detected before symptoms apparent
A team of Mayo Clinic researchers have found that hypoxia can be detected before incapacitating physical symptoms, which can be a safety threat at high altitudes. “This study opens the door for objective assessments of hypoxia and additional safeguards for…pilots and others working in high altitudes,” says Jan Stepanek, M.D., the Aerospace Medicine Program Director […]
Old Coot pilots come up with ideas for a new medical
Guest Editorial By John Christensen I recently attended my 50th high school reunion. I had a wonderful time reminiscing with classmates. As one would expect, the rather large crowd quickly organized itself into small groups, according to interests, past and present. I found myself embedded in a pod of old coot pilots. After the hangar stories, […]
More than 16,000 comments on medical exemption request
End of public comment period moves measure to next stage A late flurry of public comments to the joint EAA/AOPA third-class medical exemption request pushed the total number of comments to more than 16,000, one of the largest totals for any public comment period involving GA activities, according to Experimental Aircraft Association officials. The public […]
Sept. 14 deadline nears on AOPA-EAA medical petition
Make your voice heard on a request by the AOPA and EAA for an exemption to the 3rd class medical requirements for pilots who fly recreationally. The deadline for comments is Sept. 14, according to AOPA officials, who have posted a page on the association’s site that gives tips on how to present the best […]
No more paper medical applications
Starting Oct. 1, the FAA will stop using the paper version of FAA Form 8500-8, the form used to apply for FAA medical certification. That means pilots must use the FAA’s online MedXpress to apply for medical certification, according to Kathy Dondzila in a post on AOPA.org. She takes us through her first experience using […]