The AOPA Medical Advisory Board is the latest group to urge quick action on the proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule that would allow thousands more pilots to fly without the need for a third class medical certificate.
In a Sept. 24 letter, the board asked the Department of Transportation and Office of Management and Budget to expedite their reviews of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Board members, all of whom are pilots and doctors – including some FAA Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) – said that they believe changing the process will improve safety, save millions of dollars and keep more pilots in the air. They added that the FAA actually recognized issues with the current medical certification system more than 10 years ago when it implemented the sport pilot rule, which has allowed thousands of pilots to fly safely without a third class medical certificate.