Pilots Bill of Rights... Again

[mike_elliott]

George,

 

I hope you are correct.....  I am fortunate that I can pass the medical but have several close friends that are on the fence.  They have all been flying for years and are excellent pilots.  GA is hard pressed enough and is fighting for survival.  If AOPA does not come through with this change I do not see anyone else on the horizon who can.  It is VERY frustrating to see the possible Bill "pass percentage" in comparison to the time and money (guessing millions) that has been spent on this topic.  For those of us who run a business, not wealthy non-profits we are judged by our expeditious successes in solving problems and being profitable.  I see this dragging on with multiple calls for funding.  How much....1...2M more? Get the result or put leadership in place that can. Doing everything they can is a term used way to often.......  That's what I hear when I speak to their representation.  

 

Can anyone point out at least 5 successful problems solved by AOPA to the General Aviation community?  I'm truly not being a SA...just very curious what they provide besides a magazine.  Lets not refer to Credit Cards, Life Insurance, Legal Service.  One can shop that anywhere.  Lets name some real GA problems solved by AOPA.  

 

 

Rick 

 This isn't in the hands for AOPA to solve, it is not up to them to come thru with this change, IMO. It is up to us as pilots and us as citizens to affect this change and hold DOT, congress and the FAA to task on it. AOPA is fighting this battle on a daily front. The "gubbermint" probably gets tired of hearing from them on it, but if they hear it from all sides, from John and Susie voter, to Mothers against drunk drivers, from the local Eagles chapter, to the Boy scouts of America, they may think they should go off break and do something.

[Oldguy]

 This isn't in the hands for AOPA to solve, it is not up to them to come thru with this change, IMO. It is up to us as pilots and us as citizens to affect this change and hold DOT, congress and the FAA to task on it. AOPA is fighting this battle on a daily front. The "gubbermint" probably gets tired of hearing from them on it, but if they hear it from all sides, from John and Susie voter, to Mothers against drunk drivers, from the local Eagles chapter, to the Boy scouts of America, they may think they should go off break and do something.

Mike is correct. If we want this to happen, we need to tell the people (our elected Representatives and Senators) who can make it happen. Yes, AOPA is a strong organization working on this, but please do not sit back and wait for them to succeed or fail. Make the call to your elected representatives or send them an email and let them know how YOU, a voter in their election, feel. Shoot, even send a snail mail letter to them if you want, but make your desire known. Just FWIW.

 

John

[1964-M20E]

Mike is correct. If we want this to happen, we need to tell the people (our elected Representatives and Senators) who can make it happen. Yes, AOPA is a strong organization working on this, but please do not sit back and wait for them to succeed or fail. Make the call to your elected representatives or send them an email and let them know how YOU, a voter in their election, feel. Shoot, even send a snail mail letter to them if you want, but make your desire known. Just FWIW.

 

John

+2

[carusoam]

OG,

Have you seen the nearly automated letters that AOPA can help us write, including addressing the proper names for your state?

I've personalized and sent a few myself.

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

OG,

Have you seen the nearly automated letters that AOPA can help us write, including addressing the proper names for your state?

I've personalized and sent a few myself.

Best regards,

-a-

I used the EAA forms and got noncommittal answers back from the representatives. Including our State senator who was a former naval aviator.

[Bennett]

I sent letters to the two CA senators and my congressional representative. One senator replied-total political garbage, but not supportive, the congressional representative was negative - citing public safety concerns, and.no reply from the other senator. Exactly I expected here in California. We have a lot of GA aircraft in California, and quite a few pilots, but with such a populous state, aviation just gets washed away compared to welfare and pension problems.

[cujet]

I don't believe the 3rd class medical elimination/or drivers license medical will ever happen. The FAA, being a civil administration has limited authority to penalize airmen. For example, if one decides to drive drunk twice, get caught and convicted, the FAA can/will revoke the medical.

 

They don't suspend one's pilots license for drunk driving, as there was no aviation violation. However, the FAA considers "alcohol addiction" or other alcohol related problem a medical problem. 

 

In fact, it's quite probable that the revocation of the medical will happen immediately. Whereas, suspension of a drivers license may or may not occur, and may be rather short in duration. It's not uncommon to have the drivers license remain unsuspended but limitations imposed, such as work/shopping drives only. 

[Releew]

I think we all get the point it is up to us as pilots to help seek reform by ongoing communications with our elected officials, but lets get real.......  Besides the form letter which was well executed and maybe some personal letters, what other means of pushing any elected decision maker is there? Phone call....yeah right!

 

I fully disagree that it's not AOPA's fight to push this issue.  If you ask dues paying members to donate to the cause to specifically fight this fight they have assumed responsibility to maintain full vigilance until an answer is rendered with either a yes or no.......  When you ask where they are with this bill passing, the only response is they are working on it.  I personally would be more impressed if AOPA came forward and said the "Bill has less than a 10% chance of passing....." and stopped asking for more money to fight the cause.  So...back to question #1...  Where does all of the special collections go to fight this fight?  The electronic form letter by no means cost big bucks. 

 

AOPA has been around a lot longer than I've been flying.  I do believe they must be doing something positive for GA.  Just get tired of the constant hand out!

 

Rick

[GeorgePerry]

I think we all get the point it is up to us as pilots to help seek reform by ongoing communications with our elected officials, but lets get real.......  Besides the form letter which was well executed and maybe some personal letters, what other means of pushing any elected decision maker is there? Phone call....yeah right!

 

I fully disagree that it's not AOPA's fight to push this issue.  If you ask dues paying members to donate to the cause to specifically fight this fight they have assumed responsibility to maintain full vigilance until an answer is rendered with either a yes or no.......  When you ask where they are with this bill passing, the only response is they are working on it.  I personally would be more impressed if AOPA came forward and said the "Bill has less than a 10% chance of passing....." and stopped asking for more money to fight the cause.  So...back to question #1...  Where does all of the special collections go to fight this fight?  The electronic form letter by no means cost big bucks. 

 

AOPA has been around a lot longer than I've been flying.  I do believe they must be doing something positive for GA.  Just get tired of the constant hand out!

 

Rick

 

Rick 

 

I think its everyone's fight and AOPA is helping lead the charge but we can only do it with the support of our members.  If you've received an email asking for Political Action Committee support and feel like making a contribution isn't money well spent, then I'd suggest that support can be in many forms, not just financial.  Lend your voice, write letters, ask for an appointment to meet with your congressman/senator.  If everyone were as fed up as you obviously are and we could channel that energy towards the policy makers in DC things would almost certainly move faster.   

 

Earlier in the thread I listed 10 things that AOPA has done and continues to do for the betterment of GA.  When you consider all of those things (and more) are part of $59 annual dues, I think is a pretty good value.  

 

Believe me when I tell you the folks at AOPA are well meaning, passionate, dedicated pilots.  We want the same things as you.  If your unconvinced send me a PM and I'll be happy to discuss with you personally over the phone or in person at a fly in.

 

Safe Fights

George

[Oldguy]

So now this seems to be close to getting enough backing to getting voted on as an amendment to the highway bill now being debated in the Senate. Like many of you, I assume, I got the email from AOPA today with links to the Senators and Representatives currently signed on as co-sponsors and a request to contact yours if they were not on the list. (Mine were). What surprised me was the link to the letter from ALPA in opposition. I know we have some air carrier pilots here on MS. Is this the generally held opinion of the 52,000 pilots in the union as the President of ALPA states or what?

 

Not wanting to start anything, but interested in opinions and the reasons behind them.

 

John

[carusoam]

Today's AOPA video claims the ClassIII medical reform is their #1 priority...

The Class III does very little to prevent maladies such as a heart attack.

The Class III does prevent some pretty healthy people from flying.

The Class III - Special Issuance is an expensive work around.

Two things to consider... Support AOPA on this or don't get old...

Best regards,

-a-

[GeorgePerry]

There's been a lot of movement on Third Class Medical Reform and the Pilots Bill of Rights II - not all of it positive, but AOPA is fighting back!  The forums are buzzing with speculation and ALPA's ill conceived letter voicing baseless opposition isn't helping.  I've linked an update that AOPA put out this afternoon.  I hope this does a good job of letting pilots know the latest developments.  It's a fight but one AOPA is committed to win.  We are making progress.  57 Cosponsors in the Senate and 122 Cosponsors in the House along with nearly universal support from all major aviation associations including AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Flying Dentists Association, the Flying Physicians Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Helicopter Association International, the National Agricultural Aviation Association, the National Air Transportation Association, the National Business Aviation Association and most notably two other Airline Pilots Unions!

 

No one is happy that this is taking so long and other political agendas have slowed our efforts...The best thing we pilots can do is continue to call and write our Senators and Congressmen and ask them to sign on as Cosponsors.  Don't let the naysayers diminish the effort - With enough support, we CAN push this through.

 

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/July/28/AOPA-fights-back-on-medical-reform

 

Contact form for your Senator and Congressman

[ryoder]

I am not holding my breath that the medical issue will be resolved and I am not giving AOPA any money to fight it as I believe they will ultimately fail. I do happily support aopa and buy their products but would pay for the lifetime membership if they promised not to ask me for money anymore. I support John McCain too but the only time I hear from is when he wants money so I am leaning toward Trump now. Yeah I know.

[Danb]

I consider the AOPA and EAA as just a couple of strong voices helping to get our point across to the elected officials, that being said the strongest voice must come from us by making every effort to provide to those officials the pertentent information necessary to get the bill passed. The two strong organizations can't go it alone we all must push, shove and inform the officials of the necessary details for them to proceed on our behalf.as far as the ALPA is concerned I just wonder what there agenda is? Is there some twisted economic outcome they expect..less pilots more wages for the I have no clue. Are they looking at it in a micro-economic position or worse in a macro one, either way I'd be interested in who and what advice has been provided to the ALPA for the purpose of the advice they provided included the statistical validity of same.

In any regard it's more of a reason for us (all of us) to increase our due diligence in informing our officials of the nature of and need of the BOR's

We need more George's in our corner beating the drum.

[Andy95W]

What surprised me was the link to the letter from ALPA in opposition. I know we have some air carrier pilots here on MS. Is this the generally held opinion of the 52,000 pilots in the union as the President of ALPA states or what?

Not wanting to start anything, but interested in opinions and the reasons behind them.

John

This may be the generally held opinion of airline pilots who do not participate in GA, but probably not of Mooney owners who are members of MooneySpace. For myself, I am torn about it. On the surface only, it SEEMS like it would be detriment to safety, which is probably why ALPA is coming out publicly against it. But I know, deep down, that a 3rd class medical does practically nothing to keep medically unfit pilots from flying and is an unnecessary hindrance to pilots who actually want to follow the rules and have relatively minor medical issues.

In a different thread, someone equated this to yet another "death by a thousand cuts" to GA. I find that to be ridiculous and unbelievably exaggerated. GA has much deeper threats to it than just 3rd class medicals, the biggest being that the youth today just don't give a damn about flying airplanes like previous generations did. There is a growing percentage of teenagers that don't want to get their driver's licenses today. Why would they want to go through the hassle of getting a pilot's license, with or without a medical, when they can sit at home and learn to fly on their computer in the "virtual" world and not the real one? And then text their virtual friends about it?

Also in a different thread, someone said that ALPA was against 3rd class medical reform because it would mean better pay for airline pilots because of supply and demand. Also ridiculous. A critical shortage of pilots means fewer dues-paying members which would be bad for ALPA. And for this to take effect, we would have to project forward into the future by nearly a full generation for teenagers today to be significant wage earners (ie., 757 Captains and up). And again, GA has much deeper threats to it than just the 3rd class medical, as I noted in my paragraph above.

On a related issue, the people who actually do want to be airline pilots don't have an issue with the 3rd class medical. They know that having a medical certificate is part of their career. The real reason that fewer people want to be airline pilots is that for the first 5-10 years, it is a fun but fairly crappy job with bad schedules and low pay. My first year as an airline pilot I made $17,000, and that was in the year 2000. Try enjoying your life on that salary, and don't forget to (try) to pay your student loans on that. Who is responsible for the low pay and bad lifestyle? Not ALPA, but the airlines themselves.

ALPA has always been about 2 things: 1.) advancing the pilot profession (pay, careers, stability, retirements, etc.) and 2.) Safety. The United States has the safest airlines in the world and at least some part of that is due to ALPA.

-in the 1930's, there were no limitations on duty periods, or rest requirements. ALPA pushed for reforms, the airlines were against it.

-in the 1950's, with the advent of the jet age, pilot fatigue became an issue (what did we call 'jet lag' before we had jets?). ALPA researched circadian rhythms and proposed changes to Congress that the airlines were against.

-in the 1970's, the government finally adopted the NASA ASRS report, which ALPA had been lobbying for decades. Yup, the next time you fill out a NASA form because you made a boo boo, thank ALPA.

-in the 1980's, the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) was mandated by congress to be installed on airliners, although the technology had been around for more than 10 years and ALPA had been lobbying for it to be installed. The airline companies? They were against it (because, like the other examples above, it costs money).

ALPA may have it wrong on the issue of 3rd class medical reform, or maybe they didn't research much beyond public perceptions and how they wish to be viewed by the traveling public (welcome to politics).

But to read too much further into this or to find conspiracy theories where they most likely don't exist is a bit far fetched.

[1964-M20E]

There's been a lot of movement on Third Class Medical Reform and the Pilots Bill of Rights II - not all of it positive, but AOPA is fighting back!  The forums are buzzing with speculation and ALPA's ill conceived letter voicing baseless opposition isn't helping.  I've linked an update that AOPA put out this afternoon.  I hope this does a good job of letting pilots know the latest developments.  It's a fight but one AOPA is committed to win.  We are making progress.  57 Cosponsors in the Senate and 122 Cosponsors in the House along with nearly universal support from all major aviation associations including AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Flying Dentists Association, the Flying Physicians Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Helicopter Association International, the National Agricultural Aviation Association, the National Air Transportation Association, the National Business Aviation Association and most notably two other Airline Pilots Unions!

 

No one is happy that this is taking so long and other political agendas have slowed our efforts...The best thing we pilots can do is continue to call and write our Senators and Congressmen and ask them to sign on as Cosponsors.  Don't let the naysayers diminish the effort - With enough support, we CAN push this through.

 

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/July/28/AOPA-fights-back-on-medical-reform

 

Contact form for your Senator and Congressman

Geroge

 

I am all for eliminating the 3rd class physical and I hope we can succeed this time. I have written senators and reps and will contact them again regarding this.

 

If we are  not successful let's try a different approach on the 3rd class physicals and include 2nd class as well.  We may have a better chance of succeeding.

 

1. Keep the physicals

2. Eliminate the FAA involvement in the physical i.e. you go to your own doctor get a physical and discuss your ability to fly and airplane or even drive a car or operate other heavy equipment.  Who is better informed and able to determine your fitness than your own doctor not a doctor you see every 2 years or longer if you go to different AMEs.

3.  This approach will remove any aversion a pilot may have about going to the doctor for fear of a disqualifying condition or having to generate excessive paperwork to convince the bureaucrats that you can safely fly a plane.

4.  Have a simple 1 page performance type overview of what the physical should entail nothing more than the current 3rd class physical requirements. 

5.  The doctor and the patient / pilot would discuss when the next physical is needed up to 5 years.

6.  The 3rd and 2nd class physicals would be covered by most insurance as an annual checkup.

7. No medical card to carry simply keep the copy of the receipt proving you went to the doctor and a written statement on it as to when your next physical should be.

8. 1st class could even be included with more detailed tests and evaluations.

 

Again this keeps the physical between the doctors and the pilot not the FAA and ensures we have pilots that have been checked out which the opponents to this are concerned about.  The proponents should be happy because we get the FAA out of the medical business.

 

Finally I know this is getting long but a 3rd option if all else fails would be IMHO the simplest and would help some with an SI but not all and would let pilots go to the doctor and not have to worry about reporting it by simply changing one question on the form.

 

"Have you seen a doctor more than 2 times in the last 6 months for the same condition?"

 

 

as opposed to the current have you seen a doctor in the last 2 or 3 years?

[aviatoreb]

Andy, thank you for your opposing opinion.

 

Let me counter - It wasn't my statement the death by a thousand cuts, but I firmly believe that GA looses pilots due to the third class medical, and any lost pilots from a shrinking population (that shrinks for all sorts of reasons these days including loss of interest by young people as you stated) is a bad thing, since it shrinks the aviation economy - and that makes everything more expensive and harder to access.  I have seen at my own airport a significant shrink in the last ten years, to the point that it would be very difficult for a young person to get started in my home town, whereas 10 years ago with all the activity, it was no problem.  Some of the losses were due to the medical issues.  And many of those same people went out and bought boats and RVs instead and continue to recreat today. The young people coming up today, even those on their way to the airlines, need a vibrant aviation community - were you a CFI on your way up?  Who did you train? What if those people were more rare?

 

That aside - no one has mentioned these two factors

- I for one am deeply insulted by the need to submit for a medical exam that has no purpose - it has no purpose since it has no ability to discern who will not have a medical issue.  Furthermore, how many (or has there ever been) incidents where airliners were crashed into, or even diverted, due to pilot incapacitation in a small GA plane?  Pilot stupidity, yes, I understand that sometimes airliners need to move due to another plane not being where it is supposed to be - but usually pilot stupidity, right?  So third class medical doesn't prevent stupidity, only training works there.

-I believe the third class medical hurts the public health of pilots.  This comes from my observations, reading, and talking to other pilots - generally the hangar talk is that some pilots are avoiding their doctors, avoiding their medications they may need, just so they can truthfully write into their medical that they are not taking meds and there have been no doctor visits.  This is a bad thing.  Forget about flying for a moment - this is a bad thing to be encouraging people to not see the doctor for whatever ails them, early, hopefully while it is still treatable.  I know that is stupid, but that is what is going on I believe.

[aviatoreb]

Finally I know this is getting long but a 3rd option if all else fails would be IMHO the simplest and would help some with an SI but not all and would let pilots go to the doctor and not have to worry about reporting it by simply changing one question on the form.

 

"Have you seen a doctor more than 2 times in the last 6 months for the same condition?"

 

 

as opposed to the current have you seen a doctor in the last 2 or 3 years?

 

Yes - that is exactly what I was saying - the medicals actually hurt the public health of the pilot population by encouraging them not to go see the doctor if some minor unusual thing arises since they are reticent to then report it - but as we all know - sometimes catching something "minor" early could be the matter of life or death.  I am specifically thinking of a fellow in town (not a pilot) who died in 6 weeks of skin cancer that he had ignored for months until it was late stage.  But how many other similar stories do we all know?

 

By the way, the current 3rd class medical proposals do not eliminate the third class medical do they?  They just eliminate the need for it in certain common scenarios.  Under 6000lb, at or below 14,000 and below 250kts.  Thankfully they removed the no IFR part since that would encourage scud running.  Still I presume if you want to fly a mooney at 17000 you would still then need a medical - but will it be a 3rd class - or will that be eliminated and then you would need a 2nd class?

[BKlott]

Erik, let me add some more food for thought. Following my heart attack I had to wait 6 months (the Healing and Recovery period) before I could even apply for my Special Issuance Medical. After that six month period had expired I was required to obtain and provide the following documentation as part of the application process:

The hospital admission report.

The catheterization report for both procedures including DVDs.

The operative report.

Discharge summary.

Stent information including make, model and serial numbers.

Echocardiogram report with DVD.

Nuclear stress test report including images in both color and grayscale.

Copies of the tracings from the Nuclear Stress Test.

A written Cardiovascular Evaluation from my Cardiologist.

Exercise Treadmill Stress Report.

The complete original tracings from my Bruce Protocol Stress Test.

Complete Lab results including fasting blood sugar and blood lipid profile including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

Now six weeks after my heart attack my Cardiologist felt that it was safe for me to resume flying.

It was perfectly legal for me to resume driving and boating activities once I had been discharged from the hospital. I was in no shape to do that for several weeks but I want to make that clear. PERFECTLY LEGAL.

In order to resume my driving and boating activities I did not have to endure a 6 month healing and recovery period nor did I have to produce ONE PIECE of documentation to any government agency, Federal, State or Local.

That is a bit strange, isn't it?!

So on nice days when the wind isn't blowing too hard, in order for me to go for an airplane ride, I have to meet this Gold Seal Standard of health. American Citizens who operate any other motorized vehicle, boat or conveyance for personal pleasure purposes don't have to meet ANY health standards, subject themselves to ANY medical testing or evaluation or provide ANY documentation about their health to ANY government agency.

As long as we are flying for personal pleasure purposes, we should be treated like everybody else.

If the present laws remain unchanged, for the rest of my life I will have to submit to a Bruce Protocol dress test, blood work and ask my Cardiologist to write a Cardiovascular Evaluation for the FAA each and every year. Otherwise my flying days are numbered. Of course, I will be permitted to continue to drive and go boating until I am at death's doorstep and the Department of Transportation and the rest of our government could care less about that.

I hope that none of you ever have to face this.

I also believe that the Medical Certificate deters people who would otherwise be interested in learning to fly from pursuing it. How many other activities or hobbies require you to go to some strange doctor, pay for a medical exam and not know what the exam entails? A lot of people don't like going to the doctor when they have to in the first place.

[carusoam]

Nice details, BK. If you wrote that list from memory, I would be jealous.

John, your point 3) is very important. Pilots avoid going to the doctor fearing the whip. There is no carrot for doing the right thing.

Erik, your logic is spectacular.

Best regards,

-a-

[Releew]

All a moot point..................  It failed to pass today from what I have been told.....  True?

 

So whats the "real" next practical steps that won't take another 5 years?

 

Rick

[MyNameIsNobody]

Erik, let me add some more food for thought. Following my heart attack I had to wait 6 months (the Healing and Recovery period) before I could even apply for my Special Issuance Medical. After that six month period had expired I was required to obtain and provide the following documentation as part of the application process:

The hospital admission report.

The catheterization report for both procedures including DVDs.

The operative report.

Discharge summary.

Stent information including make, model and serial numbers.

Echocardiogram report with DVD.

Nuclear stress test report including images in both color and grayscale.

Copies of the tracings from the Nuclear Stress Test.

A written Cardiovascular Evaluation from my Cardiologist.

Exercise Treadmill Stress Report.

The complete original tracings from my Bruce Protocol Stress Test.

Complete Lab results including fasting blood sugar and blood lipid profile including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides.

Now six weeks after my heart attack my Cardiologist felt that it was safe for me to resume flying.

It was perfectly legal for me to resume driving and boating activities once I had been discharged from the hospital. I was in no shape to do that for several weeks but I want to make that clear. PERFECTLY LEGAL.

In order to resume my driving and boating activities I did not have to endure a 6 month healing and recovery period nor did I have to produce ONE PIECE of documentation to any government agency, Federal, State or Local.

That is a bit strange, isn't it?!

So on nice days when the wind isn't blowing too hard, in order for me to go for an airplane ride, I have to meet this Gold Seal Standard of health. American Citizens who operate any other motorized vehicle, boat or conveyance for personal pleasure purposes don't have to meet ANY health standards, subject themselves to ANY medical testing or evaluation or provide ANY documentation about their health to ANY government agency.

As long as we are flying for personal pleasure purposes, we should be treated like everybody else.

If the present laws remain unchanged, for the rest of my life I will have to submit to a Bruce Protocol dress test, blood work and ask my Cardiologist to write a Cardiovascular Evaluation for the FAA each and every year. Otherwise my flying days are numbered. Of course, I will be permitted to continue to drive and go boating until I am at death's doorstep and the Department of Transportation and the rest of our government could care less about that.

I hope that none of you ever have to face this.

I also believe that the Medical Certificate deters people who would otherwise be interested in learning to fly from pursuing it. How many other activities or hobbies require you to go to some strange doctor, pay for a medical exam and not know what the exam entails? A lot of people don't like going to the doctor when they have to in the first place.

Now, imagine the above scenario (with different medical circumstances that were far less invasive) and an acute care physician that is functioning...in that position for two years post treatment. That individual was considering entering into a co-ownership agreement with a Mooney owner. That individual goes in for his scheduled 3rd class medical...with purchase agreement for entry into ownership pdrepared for signing...and communicates the trauma that resulted in the treatment almost two years earlier...Medical stripped. Purchase placed in two year...yes, two year holding pattern as FAA did not back-date, but made testing be completed...to demonstrate fitness to fly under a 3rd class medical...as the individual was continuing to work, without issue, in his profession as a health care provider.

That individual STILL had a strong desire to continue to fly and be an aircraft owner. He provided support on annuals and upgrades for two years for a struggling Mooney sole owner...and after thousands of dollars of validating testing with records and signed testiments to the powerful FAA, that individual became a co Mooney owner. He continues to enjoy the priviledge of flight.

Thankfully he had the perseverance to jump through the hurdles...I likely would have sold the plane without him.

Two competent pilots would have been lost.

The 3rd Class medical DOES cost GA pilots. Pilots/owners that can safely continue to fly...if not for the decisions of Dr's that you and I pay for...that are a long way away presiding over the fate of your continued pursuit of GA.

[bonal]

• I indicated that for younger people that had a desire to fly the 3rd class would not or should not be a deterrent but in the cases mentioned I can totally agree it would cost us pilots as we get older.  for the younger crowd I think the cost of entry is the biggest deterrent the other being just a lack of interest in doing anything that isn't on an I-pad or game station.  very good points made by my compatriots.  Working overtime today big fire here at home but had to take a moment for my Mooney Space fix.

[mike28w]

I'm turning into a skeptic.....  I wonder if both the AOPA and EAA are just using this issue as a way to collect more money.

 

  I'm becoming very disillusioned with both......  so far nothing but talk followed by fund raising and then...more fund raising.

 

I'm seriously considering not supporting either of these groups until I see results....maybe that will motivate AOPA and EAA...mike

[GeorgePerry]

I'm turning into a skeptic.....  I wonder if both the AOPA and EAA are just using this issue as a way to collect more money.

 

  I'm becoming very disillusioned with both......  so far nothing but talk followed by fund raising and then...more fund raising.

 

I'm seriously considering not supporting either of these groups until I see results....maybe that will motivate AOPA and EAA...mike

 

Mike 

 

We know that many members share your frustration, as do I.  And yes AOPA has asked for funds to help get this over the goal line.  Know that AOPA is committed to getting Third Class Medical Reform done.  Also support comes in lots of forms.  If you'd prefer to lend your support in other ways, please go to the call to action page and write, call and engage with your Congressman.  Especially if they have not signed on a s a cosponsor.  Currently there are 57 Cosponsors in the Senate and 122 in the House.  That's real progress!  Also the bottom link provides a list of just some of the things AOPA does do for its members and all pilots.  Hang in there - It's got to be a team effort if we are going to win.

 

Contact form for your Senator and Congressman

 

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/15492-pilots-bill-of-rights-again/?p=214704