Pilots bill of rights

[jrevens]

I like it too. I think that there are many positives. My only concern is that the wording on the form to be signed by your doctor is non-threatening enough so that doctors and their insurance companies are not scared off because of liability concerns. I'm with gregsgt, Slyfox & Dave.

[jtpitkin06]

For me, I welcome the 3rd class reform.

My last two years with the airline 2006 to 2008 I flew with a first class special issuance. The FAA determined I was healthy enough to captain a wide body across oceans at night. The union picked up the tab for the advocates and medical advisory service every six months. All was well.

When I retired I had to foot the bill myself. Insurance doesn't think it is medically necessary or job related to take the FAA testing because I'm retired. So the expenses are not fully covered. Every year I get to do a stress echo treadmill EKG and every other year I get a heavy dose of radiation for the radio nuclide stress test. I just love the nausea and having my hair fall out. I think I'll vacation in Chernoble. Cost... About $3600 a year to get a third class medical. You also get a restriction that the certificate is not good for any class after one year.

I never did figure out what the treadmill was supposed to prove. I do a lot of exercise on a treadmill at home. I have it on the maximum angle and the speed is as fast as my stubby little legs can pedal. When doing the FAA test I can go to Bruce Protocol level four in 12 minutes and my heart rate is still below 100. My biggest problem is hitting the required maximal heart rate before my legs give out in level five. A sign above the machine at the cardiologist office reads, "The treadmill always wins."

Then I get to submit lab reports, blood tests, take a regular FAA physical with yet another EKG, a CD of pictures from my echo cardiogram and reams of paper with supporting documents. All for what??? I don't normally run at full speed in the cockpit.

The reform means to me that I have taken my last FAA run-my-arse-off treadmill test and the $3600 goes into my fuel fund.

My doctors have no problem giving a physical and signing the checklist. They do it all the time for employers certifying a patient may return to work. They did it for me when I went back to work after the chest crack. No problem.

I welcome the reform and look forward to seeing thousands of pilots returning to the air. The only negative I see is the coming shortage of used legacy airplanes under 6000 pounds.

Thanks to all that wrote to their congressional reps and senators to get this thing passed.

Incidentally, I took another special issuance FAA physical on March 3, 2016. I'm still waiting for FAA approval as of July 18, 2016. That's right... Four months grounded while the FAA looks at yet another pile of paper.

John Pitkin

[Agfoxflyer]

I renewed my 3rd Class medical about 9 months ago. My AME commented you just got you last 3rd class medical. He said they will pass the legislation. He said, and I have wondered, the defining thing will be what insurance companies will allow. I will most assuredly will be able to fly the Kitfox, but can I fly my brothers RV-10 with a constant seed prop, with 3 passengers with insurance approval with out a current 3rd class. I could see insurance companies having an issue with a pilot flying a 6 place, 250 knots without a current 3rd class.

[TahoeTim]

look at it from the insurance side

Basically you could say the law redefines the definition of a light sport plane since with little more than a drivers license I can fly heavier larger aircraft. Is that better or worse than a small homebuilt experimental plane? Don't know.