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Stop the 3rd Class Medical Madness
Christopher Hart, the acting head of the National Transportation Safety Board, told lawmakers recently 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." To that, I respond, what is the NTSB smoking? (www.flyingmag.com) עוד...
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I completely agree with you, I believe there is a place for an entry exam (to meet obvious qualifications) when you are learning to fly, but after that it is no longer necessary. There were many days I wanted to go flying, but deemed myself unfit to fly that day and I do not need a piece of paper to tell me I "can" fly when I know I should not.
Over here in the Philippines, they have NO RESTRICTIONS on UAV's at all. I would guess it is because the Rules and Policies here are STILL working on Regulations for Jet Aircraft...lol... Just a LITTLE behind the times!!
Piloting an aircraft requires a few basic medical requirements, such as vision and hearing, that in reality, some people won't be able to meet. Aviation medical exams are the cheapest part of this hobby/profession and there's no reason to have someone piloting an aircraft who's not fit to fly based on an AME's professional assessment.
Yes, but the problem medical certificates go way beyond hearing and vision to prescription medications that have nothing to with piloting any modern aircraft, commercial or not. Getting rid of the 3rd class medical is a step in the right direction. Or the FAA can continue to live in the 1950s.
The fact is there are a lot of conditions that disqualify someone from flying an airplane and it's irresponsible not to have some control over who may or may not operate an aircraft based on their individual assessment by a medical professional.
An FAA physical with an AME is not expensive as long as you have no significant medical history.
I had a valid medical certificate (in 2006) and discovered I required bypass surgery. The cost to get re-certified was huge and I did not do it. The bizarre thing is that I was then, and am now healthier than I was with a current physical. My point is that having a piece of paper does not certify that you are healthy but that you were at a particular point in time.
I can legally fly LSA aircraft with a drivers license and my Pilot Certificate as I was never denied a medical certificate. If I had gone to take the exam and failed I would not be able to legally fly LSA.
The growing danger from UAVs is in my estimation a larger threat than responsible pilots ( most of us) with or without a medical certificate.