Third Class Medical Reform FAQ's

[GeorgePerry]

Questions about what Third Class Medical Reform means for you?...Check out this link.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/december/09/third-class-medical-faqs

[carqwik]

Still need a medical to fly into the flight levels....so there I go every two years to see Doc Crinnian!

[Raptor05121]

Thanks for the update, george

 

[bonal]

Glad to see some improvements but since my MD retired and closed his practice come this October I think I'll just go to my AME pay 125 and get it renewed then in 2 years will see where I am at. Right now I don't have a doctor that knows me so doubt they would sign a form at a clinic in the hospital. Compared to all the other things to stay on top of the 3rd class was pretty insignificant.

[Cruiser]

George,

Why does everyone say the FAA has up to a year........

when the very first line in that section of the bill is

" Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft if— "

not a big deal I guess (since it passed) but I don't understand?

[GeorgePerry]

I'm not the regulatory expert, but appreciate you pointing that out.  Let me check on it and get back to you soonest.

[GeorgePerry]

Our Government Affairs experts tell me this:

 

The FAA has 180 days to act but there’s no penalty at the 180 day mark if they haven’t enacted regulations and pilots still can’t fly under the reforms if there are no regs at that point. At the one year mark, however, if the FAA has still not completed the regulations, then it can’t bring an enforcement action against a pilot who makes a good faith effort to follow the provisions of the legislation, so pilots can fly under the reforms at that point.

[Cruiser]

So lets push for the 180 day mark like the legislation requires. I don't think AOPA should be giving the FAA a pass because there is no penalty.

The law says 180 days, they should be conforming to the law, they make us do it.

[N601RX]

It appears to have just become law.  Scroll down on the link below 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/signed-legislation

[Hank]

Yep, it passed. Thus was my evening EAA email:

Third Class Medical Reform Signed into Law

Today, President Obama signed the 2016 FAA funding extension into law with third class medical reform attached. After years of effort by EAA advocacy, pilots will finally see relief from the constant hassle and expense associated with third class medical renewals. 

The legislation allows most pilots who have held a valid medical certificate since July 2006 to fly without needing another FAA medical exam. Instead, pilots can be examined by their personal physician every four years and take an online aeromedical factors course every two years to remain medically qualified to fly. 

The culmination of EAA's efforts to bring long-sought third class medical relief to pilots would not have been possible without the support of members like you. Thank you for your continued support! 

For more information, see EAA's FAQ page on aeromedical reform. 

[flyboy0681]

Wasn't there a person here on MS who said the president, in defiance, would not sign the reform bill?

[cliffy]

Didn't they just tell Congress to go fly a kite in regard to the Congressional mandate date for the Pt 23 rewrite? They'd get to it when they could on their timeline? Or did I miss something?

What makes anyone think the 180 days will hold? What did a famous Yankee's catcher say? "It ain't over till it's over?"

Don't count your chickens before they hatch

[Hank]

5 hours ago, cliffy said:

Didn't they just tell Congress to go fly a kite in regard to the Congressional mandate date for the Pt 23 rewrite? They'd get to it when they could on their timeline? Or did I miss something?

What makes anyone think the 180 days will hold? What did a famous Yankee's catcher say? "It ain't over till it's over?"

Don't count your chickens before they hatch

If/when they miss the 180 day target, just wait another 180 days and fly under the rules written In the bill. That'll be 15 July 2017. Then whenever the new regs come out, do whatever they say. Sure was nice if Congress to do that, after the FAA told 'em the last time that Congress' deadline would be missed because they were busy! Damned uppity, arrogant bureaucrats!!

Edited July 18, 2016 by Hank

[Ratherbflying]

I checked, but I didn't see my questions:

1. What on earth does my Anus need checking for in order to fly? There have been a ton of Third Class Medicals performed... somehow they got by without checking the Anus. But now, thanks to the AOPA...

2. What on earth did Mark Baker do to earn $780K in 2014? Is saying publicly that he is advocating for Pilots and then "negotiating" laws that require Private Pilots to get their Anus checked really worth all that? Couldn't even half that money been better spent furthering aviation? Or hey... I know, this is just crazy talk... reducing our annual "membership" fee?

https://www.aopa.org/-/media/files/aopa/home/about-aopa/governance/aopa-governance-page/2014foundationform990.pdf?la=en

(Scroll down to Page 11)

I'm really just trying to make the FAQ page more useful.

[Marauder]

I checked, but I didn't see my questions:

1. What on earth does my Anus need checking for in order to fly? There have been a ton of Third Class Medicals performed... somehow they got by without checking the Anus. But now, thanks to the AOPA...

2. What on earth did Mark Baker do to earn $780K in 2014? Is saying publicly that he is advocating for Pilots and then "negotiating" laws that require Private Pilots to get their Anus checked really worth all that? Couldn't even half that money been better spent furthering aviation? Or hey... I know, this is just crazy talk... reducing our annual "membership" fee?

https://www.aopa.org/-/media/files/aopa/home/about-aopa/governance/aopa-governance-page/2014foundationform990.pdf?la=en

(Scroll down to Page 11)

I'm really just trying to make the FAQ page more useful.

Funny stuff. Maybe we should change the "annual" membership fee to "anus" membership fee.

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[carusoam]

digital page 11 is paper page 7....

fun stuff in the public arena!

Best regards,

-a-

[thinwing]

My last AME went by the Knickname Dirty Finger 

 

[PMcClure]

So I am confused. My medical expires end of this month. I think I need to schedule an appointment with the AME, right?

 

 

[Hank]

9 minutes ago, PMcClure said:

So I am confused. My medical expires end of this month. I think I need to schedule an appointment with the AME, right?

Mine, too, and I am. Don't want to wait until next June to fly PIC [365 days from when the legislation passed].

[PMcClure]

I guess it is off to Dr. Foshee in Clanton I go. The AME version of a shade tree mechanic. Literally, his office is under a shade tree at the end of the runway. 

[Marauder]

The way I am reading the reform, you will be good for 4 years if you elect to do a medical with your AME before the law is enacted. My medical is due in December. I am expecting that my next "medical" will be due in December 2020.


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[Danb]

Chris do you plan on getting your's done if the law is complete by then?

[bonal]

AME scheduled for end of month dont want to figure out new rules since the FAA hasnt done so either.  Get 3rd class done and move on

[Marauder]

Chris do you plan on getting your's done if the law is complete by then?

Heck yeah! I'm afraid the doctors who don't aviation will push their own standard.


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[Oldguy]

5 hours ago, PMcClure said:

I guess it is off to Dr. Foshee in Clanton I go. The AME version of a shade tree mechanic. Literally, his office is under a shade tree at the end of the runway. 

Let me know if you get in touch with him. I tried this summer and got a disconnected number. Ended up at Dr. Crow in Vestavia HIlls.