Dump The Flight Medical?

jlawrence

Monday, June 18, 2012 at 11:33 PM ET

Verified

Will flight medicals as we know them for at least some GA aircraft soon be a thing of the past?

Key Takeaways:

Sport Pilots currently use a self-certification medical system based on their driver's license to fly Light Sport Aircraft.
The success of this self-certification model has prompted AOPA and EAA to propose its expansion to include Private Pilots.
Readers are encouraged to submit their comments to the FAA regarding this proposed medical exemption before the comment period concludes.

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Although we Sport Pilots only have to self-certify (and have a driver’s license) to legally fly Light Sport Aircraft,

the success of the self-certification “medical” has no doubt factored into AOPA and EAA’s joint proposal to FAA to expand the concept to include Private Pilots.

To add your comments to the FAA page about such a medical exemption, go here…the end of the comment period is near, so if you have a take on this topic, let it fly.

jlawrence

""If it flies, it's cool"" pretty much nails the ethos of James Lawrence. Milestones along the taxiway include boyhood obsessions with airplane models and science fiction; first flight lesson at 15 (Piper Cub); cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy, (class of '67); sailplane lessons in the California desert when he could afford it; built and flew his first hang glider (1973); magazine and book author and actor (TJ on tv's SWAT); former Editor (Ultralight Aircraft, Outdoor Photographer, Plane & Pilot); freelance writer/photographer since 1992; current LSA Editor-at-Large. Rents a local Piper Cub in Great Barrington; still loves the sky, from ground and air.