FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

[N4843W]

This just in:

House passes medical reform in FAA extension
The House this week passed third-class medical reforms as part of an extension deal with Senate negotiators to keep the Federal Aviation Administration running through the September 2017. House and Senate negotiators have agreed on the provisions in H.R. 636, and it is expected to pass the Senate this week and then be sent to President Barack Obama to be signed into law before the current FAA extension expires on Friday.

Between this and the recent decisions to allow non-TSO electronics (OK, maybe I mean non-STC ... I eagerly await Frank's correction!) in certified aircraft, it looks like the FAA can grow some new stripes, whether forced or voluntary. I think we all owe a huge round of applause to AOPA, EAA, at al, for not giving up on these reforms.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Interested in seeing the final verbiage in the rule. Might still have to go to an AME since my doctor has already told me that he would not participate in filling out any forms or doing any kind of certification ( he fears the FAA)

 

[Dennis Schwieger]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

I agree with Scott, we owe AOPA and EAA thanks for their work on this. I think I will still keep doing the annual stress test though.

 

[FS]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Between this and the recent decisions to allow non-TSO electronics (OK, maybe I mean non-STC ... I eagerly await Frank's correction!) in certified aircraft

Non-TSO is correct. STC is still (currrently) required.

 

[todd92]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Interested in seeing the final verbiage in the rule. Might still have to go to an AME since my doctor has already told me that he would not participate in filling out any forms or doing any kind of certification ( he fears the FAA)

You don't have to go to your doctor. The same doctors that advertise CDL exams for $59 will be shortly changing their signs to say CDL & FAA exams $59. Doesn't matter if your personal Dr has some irrational fear of liability or the FAA.

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

My doctor does CDL exams and that is exactly why he doesn't want to get involved . Guess the CDL bureaucracy is a pain to deal with .

 

[Planecents]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Well, I just sent my packet of BS to OKC. Hopefully nobody gets their feelings hurt and retaliates by disapproving me. Then the PBORII won't mean diddly squat to me. If they don't, life will be a little easier.

 

[N4843W]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Will be interesting to see when it takes effect, i.e., whe the 3rd class requirement actually ends.

 

[Planecents]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Due to my senility, I don't remember where I read it, but I saw it takes 6 months to enact after the POTUS signs it.

Will be interesting to see when it takes effect, i.e., whe the 3rd class requirement actually ends.

 

[JBunn]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

It still has to get through the Senate by Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

I read the hard copy of the med proposal of the bill. Now I'm not convinced if it would not be easier to just keep using my local AME and knock out my Class .9 (III) each year. Like Craig, my Class III usually nets about 9 months of 'up' time after all the suspense's / review. But hey!, I'm thankful every day for the opportunity to enjoy our amazing gift of flight . . .

My local physician is a young Doggie Howser type, Army Captain, on the base that if presented with a 'FAA' check sheet will have me doing pushups and running miles on a treadmill (probably wouldn't hurt) vice my established AME who; 'can you hear me, see me' type of exam.

Will have to let the dust settle and see what the general tone is with the Med community. Luckily there is a very large population of aviators in the area that will help quickly mold the new reform into a routine / pattern.

 

[brandtb]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

This summary is from AOPA. If you have a third class medical issued within the last 10 years, you still need a medical. The difference is that you have to visit a physician every 4 years instead of 2 and it can be your doctor. Doesn't have to be an AME, but it can be.
Every 2 years you must take an online course and report to the FAA. You must carry a copy of these visits with you.

Hopefully, this will all be easier and require fewer visits to the MD, but it is not removing the need for a "medical".





Once you meet the basic qualifications, you’ll have to take a few steps to fly under the new reforms.
At least once every four years, you’ll need to visit a state-licensed physician. At the visit, you’ll need to provide your physician with an FAA-generated checklist, and your physician will need to certify that he or she has performed an examination and discussed all the items on the checklist, including medications, with you. Your physician will have to certify that he is unaware of any medical conditions that, as presently treated, could interfere with your ability to safely operate an aircraft. You will then need to make a note of the visit and include the completed checklist in your logbook. You do not need to report the outcome of the visit to the FAA unless you are specifically requested to do so.
Every two years, you’ll also need to take online training in aeromedical factors and keep the certificate of completion in your logbook. At that time you’ll need to provide the FAA with some of the same information you do today, including authorization for the National Driver Register to provide your driving record to the FAA and a signed statement certifying that you understand that you can’t operate an aircraft during a medical deficiency and that you don’t know of, or have reason to know of, any medical condition that would prevent you from flying safely.


Berkeley Brandt

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Will be interesting to see when it takes effect, i.e., whe the 3rd class requirement actually ends.

The way it is written they have one year to implement it. Could get it done sooner but if they don't get it done by 1 year after the signing date it immediately takes effect.

 

[N4843W]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

The way it is written they have one year to implement it. Could get it done sooner but if they don't get it done by 1 year after the signing date it immediately takes effect.

Wow ... my expiration is 07/31/17, so as long as the "O" signs within about 2 weeks, I can forgo the traditional medical. That would be nice.

 

[Joe Tagliareni]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Looks like they added something to the General Physician requirement including a signed off check list. Wonder how GP's are going to react this this ?

 

[bconst]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

You don't have to go to your doctor. The same doctors that advertise CDL exams for $59 will be shortly changing their signs to say CDL & FAA exams $59. Doesn't matter if your personal Dr has some irrational fear of liability or the FAA.

Here in the Kansas City area it cost $150 for my CDL exam. I do both at the same time and it cost me $300 for the Doctor to fill out two forms for one physical. I wish I was only paying $59.

 

[Sherman]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Well, past 4 years I've had to have my Primary Care Physician write a letter with the specific info the FAA wanted in addition to the Lab reports already provided to my FAA Medical Examiner. I would write the letter with the updated(fortunately same) #s, info on Blood Pressure, H1Ac, no change in Meds, etc so I am sure going over a checklist, having your Dr sign it, & Keeping a copy in Logbook not a big deal.Guess it takes the place of current medical form we keep in back if Logbook anyway. But probably amounts to 'Same Deal'on Health Data that needs to be documented for the FAA. Main deal will be saving $100 year, good toward the $200 hamburger.

 

[gmores]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

I just did my 3rd Class yesterday and in chatting with the doctor about it he thinks that ultimately AME's will continuing doing many of these as they are already familiar and comfortable working with the FAA. I'll probably do that as well rather than try to bring my GP up to speed on the subject.

 

[Airotto370]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

I just did my 3rd Class yesterday and in chatting with the doctor about it he thinks that ultimately AME's will continuing doing many of these as they are already familiar and comfortable working with the FAA. I'll probably do that as well rather than try to bring my GP up to speed on the subject.

Ditto. Frankly, I don't want my GP talking to the FAA for any reason. In its present form the whole 3rd class exam is a sham anyway, this new version doesn't seem a heck of a lot better aside from doubling the time between exams.

 

[N4843W]

Re: FAA Medical Reform - and they said it would never happen

Sheeeeesh, guys. This is in reality a huge step from where we are now. Doctors do checklists like this all the time for athletes participating in sports, people applying for chauffeurs licenses, work permits, etc. etc. It does not get turned in to the FAA. Just keep it with your log book. And no bad eye test, bad hearing test, etc. etc. And the annual Dr. report from my transplant Doc I have to do will no longer be required.

And I do think the current AME's are going to make it very attractive for you to go to see them to do it. They just lost a lot of business and will need to make up for it. it will just be easier and faster for them and they can charge the same ... every 4 years. And true, some GP types will be paranoid about it. But this is an easy $89 bucks for a lot of Docs and there are no insurance forms, reimbursements. See you for 10 minutes. check, sign, collect your $89. You know the AOPA will have that checklist on line about 10 minutes after it is issued.

Anyway, I am very glad to see this.