by Dr. Bill Blank, MD
Senior Aviation Medical Examiner
© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved!
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine October/November 2023 Digital Issue
From an aeromedical point of view, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, July 24-30, was a quiet year. There were no major certification changes announced. Even so, careful analysis reveals several interesting subjects.
FAA medical representatives included Deputy Federal Air Surgeon, Brett Wyrick, D.O., M.P.H. (recently retired USAF Major General USAF); David O’Brien, M.D., MPH, Manager, Aerospace Medicine Certification Division Manager (AMCD); Scott Rossow, D.O., Deputy Regional Flight Surgeon Central Region, a member of the neurology panel; and a representative from the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) Enforcement Division.
Dr. Wyrick stated that many improvements have been made in the certification process over the last 2 years, but much work remains. He announced unequivocally that FAA opposition to basic med is over.
Because pilot privileges for basic med and 3rd class medical certificates are essentially the same, could the 3rd class medical be eliminated and the FAA only issue 1st and 2nd class medicals? This would require multiple regulatory changes.
Color vision was discussed. A cheating scandal at the Air Force Academy several years ago led to the recently instituted computerized color vision tests being added to the list of approved tests. Some cadets had memorized the color vision test book. This is an attempt to eliminate cheating. Some in the FAA may not trust AMEs to administer the test correctly. Could hackers figure out how to compromise the new tests? Probably so.
14CFR§61.53 was discussed. This is the regulation which prohibits flying while having a known medical condition which would make a pilot unable to operate an aircraft in a safe manner. This applies to all pilots. If the FAA becomes aware of such a situation concerning a holder of an FAA medical certificate, it will revoke the medical certificate.
Since the FAA does not issue a basic med, the FAA can’t revoke it. Instead, the FAA will revoke all the pilot’s certificates. Either way, the pilot can’t fly; no medical or no pilot certificates. In this situation, if the pilot regains his medical certificate, he will need to retake all written and flight tests for all certifiicates he wishes to re-obtain. Such enforcement actions have been taken against basic med pilots.
If the FAA decides to act, the pilot will first be asked to surrender his certificates. If he fails to respond or refuses to do so, his certificates will be revoked.
From a low of 363,290 in Federal Year 2023, the number of FAA medical applications is recovering. 363,653 medical exams were processed for the first three quarters of Federal Year 2023 (10/1/2022-6/30/2023). 420,000 applications are projected for the entire year. There were 33,653 special issuances during the same period.
It will be interesting to see how all these issues play out. Happy Flying!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Columnist William A. Blank is a physician in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and has been an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) since 1978, and a Senior AME since 1985. Dr. Blank is a retired Ophthalmologist, but still gives some of the ophthalmology lectures at AME renewal seminars. Flying-wise, Dr. Blank holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and has 6000 hours. He is a Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) and has given over 1200 hours of aerobatic instruction. In addition, Dr. Blank was an airshow performer through the 2014 season and has held a Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) since 1987. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this column is the expressed opinion of the author only, and readers are advised to seek the advice of others, including their own AME, and refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations and FAA Aeronautical Information Manual for additional information and clarification.
